British Schools in Madrid: Behind the Vision a New TEMS Explorer Campus

For families settling in Madrid there are so many great school options that finding the right fit can be daunting.

The English Montessori School (TEMS), is a vibrant British private school based in Madrid, offering a tailor-made, holistic education for children aged 1 to 18.

Headteacher Jonathan Gunzi inspires a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement, ensuring every student thrives academically and personally. Here he talks to MumAbroad about the new Explorer campus for primary students, inaugurated in September 2025, and how it supports the Montessori approach to learning in Spain.

What inspired the idea of creating a new primary campus for TEMS?

The idea grew from a simple but powerful ambition — to give our students a space truly worthy of their curiosity and potential. Over the years, TEMS has continued to grow, both in numbers and in vision.

We wanted to design a campus that would fully support the developmental needs of children in Juniors and Seniors. With the Explorer building, we’ve created a space that embodies Montessori principles not just in its teaching, but in its very architecture.

Explorer is our way of ensuring that every child experiences an educational journey in an environment that feels inspiring, natural, and deeply aligned with how children learn best, including through exploration, movement, and time spent outdoors.

What were your guiding principles when shaping the campus? What did you want it to say about who TEMS is as a school?

From the very beginning, our guiding principle, shared by everyone at both TEMS and Cognita, was to design a campus that reflects who we are at heart: a community that values independence, creativity, and curiosity.

We wanted the physical space to speak to our educational philosophy. That’s why we have open, light-filled classrooms; flexible learning zones; and inviting outdoor environments that encourage exploration, collaboration, and calm.

Every design decision was made with intention. Teachers were consulted throughout the process, always asking: “How does this help a child learn, move, and think freely?”

The result is a campus that communicates warmth, possibility, and purpose.

The Montessori approach celebrates independence and curiosity. How have you seen that come to life in this new setting?

It’s been wonderful to see how naturally children take ownership of their learning here.

The layout encourages movement and choice. In Juniors, for example, children flow between indoor activities and the adjoining garden spaces. Outdoors, learning feels like a natural extension of the classroom, whether they’re observing nature, building, or sharing ideas.

Our older students love using the outdoor track that surrounds the school to get out into nature during breaks, and even the round tables in the dining room encourage communication and a more family-style experience.

The whole building doesn’t just accommodate the Montessori approach — it amplifies it.

Could you tell us a bit about the facilities — what new spaces or features are you most proud of?

I would highlight the specialist rooms for Seniors and the exceptional outdoor learning spaces for Juniors. The gardens, open-air classrooms, and play areas have been thoughtfully designed to foster independence, collaboration, and a sense of joy in discovery.

How do the classrooms and outdoor areas support the Montessori approach to hands-on, independent learning?

Montessori classrooms are prepared environments in which every material, shelf, and even the flow of light has a purpose. Our Junior and Senior classrooms are calm and uncluttered, allowing focus and concentration.

Outdoors, learning continues seamlessly. Children measure plants in the garden, practice reading on hammocks, or enjoy quiet reflection in the grassy area near the main entrance. Nature is an active participant in the learning process here.

What has been the reaction from students and families as they’ve explored the new campus for the first time?

The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Families often tell us how immediately they feel a sense of peace and purpose when they walk through the gates. And the children, of course, made the space their own within days!

You can see the joy in their faces as they move confidently between classrooms, make the most of the outdoor spaces — especially the climbing wall — and discover new corners of the building. For parents, it’s been reassuring to see how thoughtfully the campus reflects the Montessori values they cherish.

TEMS now has several campuses — how does this new campus fit into the bigger picture of the school’s growth and vision?

Our vision is to provide age-appropriate facilities across all stages of a child’s education: two infant campuses and a pre-university experience. The new Explorer campus is an essential step in realising that vision. We are giving every age group a space that supports their specific developmental and academic needs.

As Head of School, what does this new chapter mean to you personally?

I feel privileged to have been part of this journey and incredibly proud of how all the teams came together from the very start to create such superb facilities. It’s been a true collaboration rooted in care and shared purpose.

Looking ahead, how do you see this campus shaping the next generation of TEMS students and the school’s legacy in Madrid?

The Explorer campus is a statement about the kind of education we believe in — one that nurtures independence, empathy, and curiosity. I hope it becomes a place where children not only acquire knowledge and skills but also develop the confidence and creativity to shape the world around them.

In the long term, I believe this campus will strengthen TEMS’ position as a leader in education in Madrid — and as a community where learning is joyful, meaningful, and lifelong.

And finally, do you have a favourite feature or space that feels especially meaningful to you — something that captures the spirit of the new campus?

It’s difficult to choose just one. Every space contributes to the overall feeling I have when I walk around the campus. During a recent parent tour, we visited a Year 12 physics class, a Year 7 drama class, and a Year 3 reading lesson in quick succession. I felt incredibly proud of the quality of learning happening in each of those rooms — and equally proud of the corridor displays that celebrate our students’ creativity.

All these small moments combine to create the unique experience we offer our learning community at TEMS.

Find out more about TEMS and their admissions process on the school’s website

Read more articles from leading international schools on the MumAbroad blog