The International School Estepona authorised to continue with the British education system until 2028

Families looking for British education on the western Costa del Sol will continue to have another international schooling option in Estepona. The Andalusian Regional Government has officially extended the authorisation of The International School Estepona to continue teaching under the British education system.

The decision is set out in an Order from the Regional Ministry of Education dated 8 August 2026, published on 31 August in the Official Gazette of the Andalusian Regional Government (BOJA).

The authorisation will remain valid until 20 March 2028 and allows the school to teach both Spanish and international pupils.

British education from age 2 to 11

The International School Estepona is located in El Paraíso, within the municipality of Estepona, an area with a large international community between Estepona, Benahavís and Marbella.

The renewed authorisation allows the school to continue offering the British education system from Pre-Nursery, for children aged 2 to 3, through to Year 6, for pupils aged around 10 to 11.

The maximum capacity authorised by the administration is 60 school places.

This renewal is particularly relevant on a part of the Costa del Sol where many international families look for schools that can provide continuity with the British system or make future international moves easier.

British Council gives the school a favourable report

One of the key steps in the renewal process was the assessment by the British Council in Spain.

The official file states that the organisation issued a favourable report, allowing the administrative authorisation to be extended.

However, the approval is not indefinite.

It will expire on 20 March 2028, in line with the certification issued by the British Council. After that date, the school will need to undergo a new inspection before the authorisation can be renewed again.

The current decision therefore guarantees continuity for the coming academic years while maintaining a system of periodic supervision.

British curriculum must be combined with Spanish language and culture

Being authorised as a foreign school in Andalusia does not mean operating entirely outside the Spanish education framework.

The resolution explicitly states that The International School Estepona must complement its British curriculum with Spanish language and culture studies.

In particular, Spanish Language and Literature must be taught in line with the structure and timetable established by current Andalusian regulations for Primary Education.

Pupils must also receive teaching related to Spanish culture, including essential content from the area of natural, social and cultural knowledge.

This approach allows students to follow a British curriculum while still receiving formal education in the language and cultural environment of the country where they live.

Important information for international families on the Costa del Sol

Education is one of the key considerations for any family planning to move to the Costa del Sol.

Alongside housing, residency, healthcare and transport, the availability of international schools can play an important role when choosing where to live.

Estepona and the surrounding area have a significant international population and offer several private schools following foreign education systems.

In the case of The International School Estepona, the school states that it was founded in 2004 and follows the British curriculum in its early years and primary stages.

The new administrative decision now provides families with an official reference confirming the school’s legal status and the education it is authorised to provide.

How long is The International School Estepona authorised for?

The key date is 20 March 2028.

Until then, the school is authorised to offer:

• The British education system to Spanish and international pupils.
• Teaching from Pre-Nursery to Year 6.
• Education for children aged approximately 2 to 11.
• A maximum of 60 school places.
• Compulsory supplementary teaching in Spanish language and culture.

After that date, continued authorisation will depend on a new British Council inspection and the corresponding administrative process.

The original source is the BOJA

In this case, the primary source of the information is not a newspaper article or a school press release. It is an official resolution issued by the Andalusian Regional Ministry of Education, published in BOJA number 168 on 31 August 2026.

The order identifies the school under official code 29018081 and confirms the authorised education stages, maximum number of places, obligations regarding Spanish subjects and the date until which the extension remains valid.

The full resolution can be consulted in the official publication of the Andalusian Regional Government Gazette