'Oporto British School

Oporto British School, founded in July 1894, is believed to be the oldest British school in mainland Europe. It provides a high quality, British style, English medium, international education for boys and girls, age four to eighteen, of currently 19 nationalities.

OBS is a non-profit institution owned by a Council of Members (parents and former parents) which elects a Board of Governors. The Head of School is assisted by the Bursar and Heads of the Primary and Senior Sections. The majority of the teaching staff are native English speakers, mostly British with British qualifications but other nationalities (American, Irish, Portuguese, Australian and Dutch) are represented.

The curriculum in Primary (ages 4-11) and Senior Sections (ages 11-18) is based upon the English National Curriculum but adapted to local needs.

In Forms 10-13, students work towards the International General Certificate of Secondary Education and the International Baccalaureate. Students can thus move with relative ease to or from other British or English-medium international schools and to universities throughout the world. Current applications for further education are mostly being made to Europe and the USA.

The standard of English achieved amongst non-native English students is very high. Non-Portuguese students achieve considerable fluency in Portuguese - this being the second language of the school. French is also taught and there are opportunities for other languages through private teachers.

The school is small, with class sizes in Primary averaging 16, and 15 in the Secondary Section.

OBS is on a pleasant campus in the residential area of Foz at the mouth of the River Douro. Consistent with its small size, facilities are relatively modest. A five-year development plan is in progress.

The school follows the British pattern of academic year commencing in early September and ending in late June/early July. The main holidays are at Christmas, Easter and in the summer, with mid-term holidays and a number of local national holidays. The optimum time for entry is at the start of the academic year, but the school tries to accommodate newcomers at other times. A prospectus and other information is available from the Head's PA/Registrar.