Colegio Inglés Zaragoza – Over 50 Years of Bilingual Education Excellence in Spain

With over five decades of history, Colegio Inglés Zaragoza has become a true reference point for bilingual education in Aragon. As the first school in the region to offer a genuine Spanish-English bilingual model, it has built a strong reputation for combining academic excellence with a warm, family-like atmosphere.

We spoke with Celia Ginés, Head of Marketing, who shares more about what makes the school’s journey so unique, from its pioneering beginnings to its strong community spirit and commitment to nurturing confident, bilingual students.

 A Legacy of Bilingual Education in Spain

Colegio Inglés Zaragoza has over 50 years of history. Could you tell us more about the school’s origins and what makes its journey so special, as the first Spanish-English bilingual school in Aragon?

Colegio Inglés Zaragoza began its history over 50 years ago with a pioneering vision: to offer an excellent quality Spanish-English bilingual education in a close and emotionally safe environment. It was the first school in Aragon to implement an authentic bilingual model, integrating the best of the British curriculum and the Spanish educational system.

What makes its trajectory unique is not only having been a pioneering centre, but also the commitment it has maintained over the years. The school has native teachers trained in the UK, with experience teaching international children. This guarantees linguistic immersion from the early years, allowing students to learn English in a natural way, as if it were their mother tongue.

This continuity creates deep bonds and trust that crosses generations. That is why, more than a school, Colegio Inglés Zaragoza is a solid, open and committed educational community dedicated to emotional well-being, academic excellence and the formation of bilingual and self-confident citizens.

You’re the only school in the region to offer the British Curriculum in Early Years. What are some of the biggest benefits for young learners following this model? 

At our school, children learn through exploration, play and discovery, following the British Curriculum, which promotes holistic development while respecting each child’s individual pace and helping them reach their full potential. This approach stimulates creativity, confidence and autonomy from day one, creating a stimulating environment where children enjoy learning.

In addition, we are the only school in Aragon accredited by NABSS with the British Curriculum, which guarantees an internationally recognised educational standard and exceptional educational quality.

Learning English is approached in a natural and spontaneous way, as if it were their first language. Through immersion and constant use of the language in communicative contexts, children acquire language skills with fluency and confidence, preparing them for a bilingual future. Because when children feel happy and secure in their indoor and outdoor environment, learning always takes place: “In a happy space, learning always takes place”.

Can you tell us more about your bilingual learning approach, which emphasises “real English” language immersion, and how it looks day-to-day in the classroom? 

Our students are very capable of thinking and reasoning in English. They constantly develop their critical thinking and problem solving skills, acquiring the ability to explain ideas and feelings of an increasingly complex nature. Students are expected to use their English skills throughout the day, and are offered a wide range of opportunities to do so throughout the curriculum. Constant interaction with our native-speaking faculty members who have lived and worked in English-speaking countries, as well as with international students means that our students develop an excellent knowledge and understanding of other cultures, as well as their own language.

English is used as a means of communication throughout the day by both students and school staff. In Primary we continue to implement the same tools used in the British Curriculum, previously introduced in the infant stage, so that the student uses the language naturally during the school day. From 3rd Primary onwards, the English proficiency of our students is externally accredited by Cambridge Assessment English. From 4th Primary onwards, they can choose a second language, French or German, and prepare for the Delf or Goethe certificates.

With a team of native English-speaking teachers, how does this contribute to both language acquisition and cultural awareness among students?

We are very proud of the stability of our staff, most of whom have been with the school for many years, some for over 30 years. The students grow up in a family environment, which gives them confidence and security, accompanied by the same faces throughout their schooling. In many cases, they are the same teachers who taught their older siblings or even their parents.

Our teaching team, made up of native professionals with international experience, guides and accompanies our students in their first years of school life. We know that, if the environment is safe and stimulating, children learn better, exploring and having fun. Our classes are filled with the positive energy of their daily achievements.

Colegio Inglés Zaragoza consistently achieves the best Cambridge exam results in the region. What’s your secret to this academic success?

From 3rd Primary onwards, our students’ English proficiency is assessed externally by Cambridge Assessment English. Thanks to the continuity of our native teachers and our rigorous academic demands, our students reach C1 or C2 levels in 4th ESO, positioning us as the school with the highest level of English in Aragon. Part of our success beyond the English immersion is the training that our students receive to excel in the Cambridge exams and the atmosphere of academic excellence.

One thing that stands out is your focus on emotional well-being and learning in a happy space. Why is that such an important part of your educational philosophy?

Children have fun learning through play, carefully planned to meet objectives, in an English immersion environment. Guiding and caring for our students from the very beginning in Early Years (Infants), we maximise their abilities and direct their learning process individually to achieve full emotional, psychomotor, social and moral development. When children look forward to going to school, they are motivated to learn and do their best.

How do you ensure personalised attention, so that every student’s needs are met, both academically and emotionally?

The importance of tutorial work must be emphasised here, along with the additional support classes offered during the week. Students need at all times the support and advice of their tutors, who in turn maintain a close level of communication with students and families through personalised meetings. Academic and vocational guidance is also a key aspect, which is why the school develops different plans aimed at working on the personal academic and vocational development of our students, as each child’s strengths and weaknesses vary.

The school collaborates with teachers to detect students with possible special learning needs, recommending psycho-pedagogical evaluations when necessary to determine the nature of these needs, and working as a team to develop individual educational plans when necessary. Provides individual and/or group support to students who require it and schedules meetings with families to coordinate work on the academic and personal development of all students. Weekly tutoring sessions led by the classroom teacher give our students the opportunity to become more self-aware, to better understand and manage their emotions, and to practice a wide variety of interpersonal skills.

Many international families relocate to Zaragoza. Could you tell us about your adaptation programme and how you support children and parents through this transition?

To ensure the full integration of new students, we closely accompany each child on an individual basis. Our Buddy Project pairs new students with older mentors who volunteer, while welcome tutorials provide both emotional and academic assessment to identify each child’s needs. Language reinforcement classes offer targeted support, supported by our native expert teachers who bring extensive international experience, understanding the unique challenges of multicultural education. The Breaktime Club fosters improved coexistence through empathy-building activities, creating natural bonds between students from different backgrounds. Throughout this process, we maintain clear bilingual communication with all families, ensuring parents remain fully informed about their children’s educational journey.

Our community proudly currently represents 24 nationalities, with 28% of which are international students. We offer a multilingual environment and personalised support to help all students adapt smoothly—academically, socially and emotionally. From the first day, our team works closely with each child to ensure they feel safe, included and ready to learn.

We welcome both local and international families, and believe it is a privilege to grow up in a diverse environment that helps students develop confidence, empathy, and global awareness—skills they will carry for life.

Technology plays an important role in education today. How do you integrate digital tools, in a way that fosters responsible digital citizens?

At the school, technology is integrated as a tool at the service of learning, not as an end in itself. A balanced, safe and productive use is promoted, reinforcing both internal policies and training in digital citizenship.

We have a Digital Learning Leader within the centre, in charge of accompanying both students and teachers in the responsible use of technology. In addition, we receive the support of the Head of Digital Learning, responsible at the central level, who periodically visits the school to provide specialised training and ensure an updated and consistent vision throughout the educational process.

Thanks to tools such as Classwize and Qustodio, students are helped to avoid distractions, develop digital autonomy and be more protected in their online activity. We also collaborate closely with families with workshops, extending this digital education beyond the classroom.

The school has been recognised as a Common Sense School, a seal that accredits its commitment to digital education and online wellbeing. The goal is clear: to educate critical, conscious and responsible students in an increasingly digitalised world.

You offer personalised interviews throughout the year – online or in person. Can you tell us more?

At our school, we understand that choosing a school is an important decision for each family. For this reason, we offer personalised visits throughout the year, adapted to the needs and educational stage of each student. These visits can be done in person or online, in English or Spanish, thus facilitating access to international families or families with complicated schedules. Our bilingual admissions team accompanies families throughout the process, offering close, clear and professional attention.

During the tour, families get to know our facilities up close, observe the real school environment, resolve specific doubts and discover how we accompany each child in his or her academic, emotional and personal development. They learn more about our methodology, our bilingual approach, the values that define us and the services we offer. The goal is for each family to make an informed decision, based on direct experience and an open dialogue with the school.

What feedback do you hear most often from international parents about what they value most at Colegio Inglés Zaragoza?

International families especially value the school’s ability to offer a warm welcome and a real adaptation for their children. They highlight the personalised attention from committed teachers, the quality bilingual approach and facilities that invite learning and enjoyment.

For many of these families, the school not only facilitates a smooth transition to a new environment, but also offers a complete educational experience, with varied activities and a safe environment, in which children feel motivated, happy and accompanied from day one.

Find out more about Colegio Inglés Zaragoza on their website.

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