January 17, 2025

BSB Retains the ‘Outstanding in Every Category’ Status

The British School of Barcelona is delighted to share news that reinforces our commitment to educational excellence. With over sixty-five years of experience, we have received, for the second time in a row, the accreditation as ‘Outstanding in Every Category’ awarded by the British Government’s Department for Education. This prestigious recognition, which represents the highest seal of quality that an international school can achieve, makes us the only international school in Barcelona to hold this distinction.

This accreditation is the result of a comprehensive inspection as a British School Overseas (BSO), which assessed all areas of our educational provision. The report highlights aspects such as the quality of our teaching, our relationship with families and students, and the global approach of our educational project.

‘This recognition is an extraordinary endorsement for both our team and our students. It reflects all the hard work we put in every day to provide the best possible educational experience,’ said Neil Tetley, our Executive Principal.

Main areas highlighted in the BSO report

Quality of Teaching

The report highlights that our British curriculum, tailored to the individual needs of each student, fosters creativity, critical thinking and independence — essential qualities in an ever-changing world. We also implement innovative, personalised teaching methods and make responsible use of technology.

Academic results reflects this excellence: year after year, our students achieve a 100% pass rate in both A Levels and the International Baccalaureate (IB), gaining access to the best universities in Spain and abroad.

Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural development (SMSC)

At BSB we work to develop responsible citizens of integrity and commitment to the global community. Through classes such as PSHE, Philosophy for Children (P4C) sessions, leadership programmes and charitable activities, we reinforce values such as empathy, respect and integrity. We also celebrate British, Spanish and Catalan traditions, creating a balance between global and local identity.

Wellbeing, Health and Safety

The wellbeing of our students is a priority. As a school accredited with the ‘Wellbeing Award for Schools’, we ensure that every student feels safe and supported in an environment that promotes learning and exemplary relationships.

Modern, Sustainable Facilities

All our campuses — BSB Castelldefels, BSB Sitges and BSB City — have top-quality facilities: laboratories, sports areas and flexible learning spaces designed to inspire our students. In addition, our commitment to sustainability leads us to use 563 solar panels and adopt responsible environmental practices.

Leadership and Community

The report also highlights that our leadership team is recognised for its strategic vision and outstanding management, maintaining an ongoing dialogue with families to ensure that they feel valued and involved in their children’s education. This approach has been key to maintaining outstanding standards in all areas of the school.

At a time when international education is growing strongly, especially in cities such as Barcelona, we at BSB remain committed to providing an education of academic excellence and a multicultural environment that prepares our students for the challenges of today’s world.