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Wellbeing and Student Support

Nurturing Every Child's Personal Growth & Achievement

At The British School - El Colegio Británico, we believe that happiness and wellbeing are the foundations of a successful education. When children feel safe, supported and valued, they grow into confident individuals ready to face a changing and challenging world.

For more than 80 years, we have guided and inspired our pupils to fulfil their personal and academic potential—both at school and far beyond it.

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Student Welfare and Guidance

Our school provides continuous psychological and pedagogical support to teachers, tutors and pupils. This guidance is tailored to the specific needs of each stage and has a direct impact on the development of pupils’ self-esteem, confidence, sense of responsibility, organisation and study skills.

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Meetings With Our Counsellors

Our school counsellors for the early years, primary and secondary stages are available to provide one-to-one guidance for families, offering practical advice on managing daily routines with your children, as well as expert psycho-pedagogical support tailored to individual needs. Please contact the school reception to learn more.

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University Guidance

Our students are welcomed at leading universities across Spain, the UK, and the rest of the world. While this opens up a wide range of opportunities, it also requires careful guidance and support. Our careers and university guidance team helps students and parents make informed decisions about the most suitable study pathways.

We encourage students to begin exploring university options in Year 11, with the support of their form tutors. In Year 12, we support them in preparing their personal statement and deciding which degree and universities to apply to.

Students have access to:

  • Internal and external university fairs
  • Guest speaker sessions
  • Visits to public universities in Madrid
  • Work shadowing experiences
  • Community service programmes
  • Events where alumni share their experiences and offer guidance and encouragement

Our careers and university guidance team:

  • Provides personalised advice based on students’ interests, motivations, and aspirations
  • Supports students in drafting motivational letters, application forms, and personal statements to help them stand out
  • Prepares students for interviews through mock interview practice (written and oral)
  • Offers continuous guidance and support from the start of the Bilingual Baccalaureate programme through to university entry

 

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Student Health 

We have an infirmary in each section and four school nurses to ensure first-aid coverage throughout the school day. Our nurses also provide health education to pupils as part of our academic programme.

We have effective protocols in place for obtaining assistance in more serious cases, and these are clearly communicated to pupils, parents, and all staff.

Medical information for all pupils is stored in a secure database and is regularly updated. We respect confidentiality, and health information is only shared when necessary to ensure the safety of the pupil.

We comply with all requirements set by the Madrid Community and the Ministry of Health, and we contribute to local school health committees and forums.

Supporting New Joiners & Families

Advice for New Early Years Parents

When your child starts school, you as parents will feel a mixture of pride and excitement—your baby is now a child beginning their educational journey. It is exciting to prepare your child’s backpack and uniform, but it is also natural to feel anxious about them walking into their classroom to begin this new stage of their life… in English!

The Early Years team would like to reassure parents that it is often the adults who feel more anxiety than the children—children usually adapt very quickly to this new stage.

What can I do to prepare my child for school?

  • Speak positively to your child about their new school, the new friends they will make, and everything they will do and learn. If you have time, you can read books together about starting school.
  • Encourage your child’s independence by involving them in preparing for their first day—helping to organise their backpack, snacks, and uniform from the beginning.
  • When you say goodbye at drop-off, do so briefly—prolonging the moment can increase anxiety.
  • A good night’s sleep is very important. Your child should get used to going to bed early.
  • Make sure your child has enough time in the morning to wake up calmly, get dressed, and enjoy a good breakfast, which is essential to starting the day well.
  • It is important to foster autonomy—when your child can do something for themselves, try not to do it for them.
  • Label all your child’s belongings with their full name and send a bag to school with a change of clothes in case of accidents (polo shirt, jumper, trousers, underwear, socks, and wet wipes).
  • Early Years children have a daily rest period. If your child would like to bring a soft toy for comfort, this is absolutely fine—it will be warmly welcomed.

How can I help my child at home?
At home, encourage your child to talk about what they are learning at school. Ask which songs they are singing in class and look them up online, then sing them together. It does not matter if you do not speak English—you will still enjoy the shared experience with your child.

Contact Us Today

Discover how our focus on pastoral care and wellbeing ensures the happiness and fulfilment of our students while supporting exceptional academic outcomes.

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