Tenerife British School "Outstanding" Twice, Offers Elite Education Value

A British international school in Tenerife has been called "Outstanding in all categories" for the second time in a row by official inspectors. This achievement places it among a very select group of top schools globally and offers a remarkable alternative in Spain, especially for its good value.

Out of over 4,000 British international schools worldwide, only 60 have received this "Outstanding" rating. While elite schools in cities like Madrid, Barcelona, or Dubai can cost over 20,000 euros a year, this school in the Canary Islands offers similar high standards for about a quarter of that price.

Four professional inspectors spent three days thoroughly investigating the school. They closely evaluated the quality of teaching, learning, and assessment, the academic levels students achieved, their personal development (spiritual, moral, social, and cultural), and their well-being, health, and safety. The process also included meetings with parents and students. Wingate School's "Outstanding" rating, valid from 2022 until at least 2028, makes it one of only six schools in all of Spain to achieve this highest distinction.

With almost all teachers being native English speakers and 65% of students coming from different countries, students benefit from constant language immersion. This continuous exposure allows most students to complete their schooling with an advanced command of English, often even developing a British accent – a rare characteristic even in the most prestigious international schools. Spanish students, in particular, get full language immersion, both in the classroom and during breaks. They can start at a young age (3-5 years old) with no English at all and naturally become fluent.

The inspectors concluded that the school "successfully creates an inclusive community, shaped by British values, where positive relationships underpin high-quality education. A constant focus on the well-being, health, and safety of young people ensures the best conditions for academic success and personal growth." Jonathan Green Harris, the school's owner, emphasizes the importance of a positive school environment built on kindness and good behaviour. He believes students should feel safe, have strong relationships, and that their happiness is as important as their academic achievements.

This comprehensive approach does not hurt academic performance. On the contrary, students who feel valued and heard individually tend to achieve better results, as demonstrated by recent international exams. Out of 700,000 students worldwide who took the British IGCSE exams, students from this Tenerife school won 12 "Best in the World" and "Best in Spain" awards. This included "Best in the World" for English and "Best in Spain" for Spanish, with one student winning both. A representative from the examining board, responsible for grading the tests, described these results as an "incredible achievement" and a "never-before-seen" situation, pointing to outstanding progress.

The student-teacher ratio is a key indicator of educational quality. At this school, classes are limited to a maximum of 24 students. For most subjects, students are grouped by ability into three streams, making many classes even smaller. Currently, there are 13 students for every teacher, or 11:1 if teaching assistants are included. This model promotes individualized attention, which strengthens student self-esteem and allows lessons to be tailored for both high-achieving students and those who require more support.

You can feel the sense of well-being when you visit the facilities, especially during break time. Students enjoy the sports courts or relax peacefully on the grass under the trees in the central park. The Wingate School experience underscores that well-being and education go hand-in-hand: a positive environment increases the chances that students will become adults prepared to successfully face their future.