Highgrove Education is a full-time, co-educational international online school, which offers an outstanding British education for pupils in Barcelona aspiring to achieve their full potential at Year 9, GCSE and A level. The school supports the development of all of its pupils into well-rounded and intellectually curious global citizens of the future and welcomes pupils from across Barcelona.
Pupils who study at Highgrove Online School come from all over the world, including from Spain. Pupils from Barcelona and other cities in Catalonia have a host of international schools available to them, including The British School of Barcelona (BSB), St. George International, The British College of Gavà, and The Olive Tree School. However, some pupils find they are more suited to online study. They share a desire to achieve to the best of their ability and a willingness to develop as independent learners.
Many pupils who join us will be looking for a high quality, flexible online, homeschooling option while living abroad. Others include:
Highgrove serves pupils who are looking for:
A world-class British education from anywhere in Spain
There are many excellent schools in Barcelona, but they are not always conveniently located for all families, and many are already at full capacity. Highgrove Online School can provide you with an outstanding British education regardless of where you live in Spain or the Iberian Peninsula. As long as you have a reliable internet connection, you can learn with our world-class teachers. Because we are an online school, if your family regularly travels, you can access our outstanding education wherever you go and for however long you are away from home. You never need to leave your schooling behind.
A timetable that allows for fewer fixed commitments
Online schooling supports you to pursue your passion without sacrificing your grades; whether that is as a professional sports person, a performer, an entrepreneur or just the chance to fit your school around your life, rather than vice versa.
A chance to focus when it really matters
GCSEs and A levels can be challenging, and some students find it easier to focus on their studies away from the distractions of a traditional school. For pupils who have special educational needs or who have experienced bullying at school, studying online within a friendly and inclusive environment can be ideal.
A different way to learn
Highgrove Online School promotes independent learning, with pupils studying materials at a time and pace that suits them before checking and applying their understanding of what they’ve learnt. We provide flexibility for pupils who want to study outside of their academic age group or to combine online GCSE and A level courses, creating individualised learning programmes for each pupil.
At Highgrove, pupils learn to take responsibility for their own learning
Pupils work through interactive self-study materials prior to attending live taught lessons, where they will apply and extend their knowledge. Live lessons and extra-curricular clubs and electives are at fixed times, which are generally around the same time as London in Central European Time or Central European Summer Time, but pupils are responsible for completing their self-study work and assignments to a schedule that they devise. They are assisted by their teachers and learning coach to develop into successful independent learners and follow a Skills and Mindset course which explicitly teaches the micro-skills required.
Pupils receive additional help from their teachers whenever they need it through drop-in office hours sessions and are supported as they progress towards their academic goals via regular meetings with their House Tutor. In addition, all pupils have fortnightly 1:1s with their dedicated learning coach, who provides them with support and guidance, as well as exploring their university and/ or future career aspirations.
The teachers at Highgrove Online School are experts at delivering effective and engaging teaching and learning in a global, online school. They all have several years of experience teaching their subject, including substantial online teaching experience from prestigious schools, and most are additionally GSCE or A level examiners.
Every pupil is assigned a dedicated learning coach who supports them throughout their time at the school. The learning coach provides personalised guidance and mentoring, including exploring future career options, and supporting them throughout the application processes for university or higher education. They encourage pupils to actively participate in the extracurricular programme and assist them to develop the skills and mindset required to achieve happiness and success both at our school and in their lives beyond.
Learning coaches meet pupils individually every fortnight and liaise regularly with parents.
The parents of pupils at our school have a unique and detailed insight into their child’s learning journey and can play a critical role in their child’s success.
Parents can see their child’s progress and performance, in real-time, via our intuitive learning platform. We encourage parents to use this detailed insight to support and motivate their child in their learning journey – but the school delivers all the teaching, so parents can be as much or as little involved as they like.
If parents choose to, they can nominate a guardian to liaise with the school on their behalf.
Guardians become the main point of contact for school staff and monitor the pupil’s performance, progress and attendance. We can provide a bilingual guardian for an extra charge for families who would like this additional service.
In accordance with one of the oldest and grandest traditions of the British education system, each pupil is assigned to a House. The Houses meet weekly and are led by a House Tutor, with the support of a pupil who has been elected as Head of House.
Our House system provides structure, social connections, and a sense of belonging for pupils, supporting them to thrive academically, socially and personally. Our inter-House competitions promote collaboration and teamwork and provide a connection between pupils and staff that extends beyond the classroom. Friendships are developed and strengthened by pupils mentoring other pupils across year groups.
