In the south of the island, a school with British roots and a global outlook has earned international recognition. Wingate School, founded in 1982 in the municipality of Arona, has officially been rated “outstanding in all areas” following its latest inspection by British Schools Overseas (BSO), an inspection body linked to the UK Department for Education. This recognition places the school among the best British international schools in the world and among the top six in Spain.
What began more than four decades ago with just nine students has grown into a well-established educational community of more than 570 pupils from over 30 nationalities. This cultural diversity is one of the pillars that defines the school’s identity and strengthens its international character.
The school offers an education based on the internationally recognised British curriculum, combining academic rigour with personalised attention for every student.
An International Environment from the Early Years
One of the school’s distinctive features is its approach to early language immersion. Children can start between the ages of 3 and 5 with no prior knowledge of English. At this stage, the language is acquired naturally through play, reading, writing and everyday interaction.
65% of the student body is international. This allows English to be the natural language not only in the classroom but also during break times and daily activities, creating a genuine and constant immersion experience.
International Recognition for Educational Excellence
The recent evaluation, carried out over three days by four professional BSO inspectors, awarded the highest possible rating in all assessed areas: quality of education, teaching and assessment, student achievement, spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, student welfare, health and safety, as well as leadership and management.
According to the inspectors’ report, “the school successfully creates an inclusive community, shaped by British values, where positive relationships underpin high-quality education and the constant focus on the wellbeing, health and safety of young people ensures the optimum conditions for academic success and personal growth.”
This distinction reinforces the school’s commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.
Academic Results Among the Best in the World
Academic achievement is one of Wingate School’s strongest features. In the international IGCSE examinations, students have received awards for “Best in the World” and “Best in Spain” in various subjects, demonstrating exceptional academic standards and placing the school among the top-performing institutions globally.
These results enable many students to go on to prestigious universities both in Spain and abroad, expanding their academic and professional opportunities.
A Holistic Education and Personalised Attention
Beyond academic success, the school is committed to a holistic education that promotes values, emotional wellbeing and personal development. The atmosphere on campus reflects this philosophy: a green park where children play under the shade of trees, share activities and enjoy a relaxed and respectful environment.
During break times, and after school, the school offers a wide range of free activities designed to help students learn, socialise and develop new skills in a dynamic setting.
Part of the school’s high teaching quality is also due to its low student-to-teacher ratio. Classes never exceed 24 students and, thanks to ability grouping in many subjects, class sizes are often even smaller. The current ratio stands at 13 students per teacher, dropping to 11 when teaching assistants are included, ensuring personalised support for every student.
With this international recognition, Wingate School consolidates its position as one of Tenerife’s educational success stories, demonstrating that excellence in education can flourish on the island and compete with the best British international schools worldwide.
