The British school, set to open in September 2027, is hosting a series of meetings to allow families to learn about its educational project firsthand.
These gatherings began last September, attended by Jo-Anne Riley, Chief Academic Officer of Brighton College.
In October, families will have several opportunities to visit Brighton College Madrid, as the school continues the series of meetings launched in September to present its educational project and leadership team in Madrid.
The first “Open Morning” took place on September 15th at La Finca Grand Café and was very well received, drawing dozens of families interested in the opening of Brighton College Madrid. They were welcomed by the school’s leadership team: George Hartley, Founding Head Master; Aurora López Martín, Head of Admissions; and David Murphy, Senior Deputy Head. Families also had the chance to meet Jo-Anne Riley, Chief Academic Officer of Brighton College International. Riley has led the academic division of Brighton College UK for over twenty years; she is currently responsible for the academic framework across the network’s international schools and is actively involved in the curriculum for Brighton College Madrid.
“Our goal is for Brighton College Madrid to combine the standards and educational expertise of Brighton College with the cultural, historical, and linguistic richness of Spain,” notes Jo-Anne Riley. “What excites me most is seeing how my experience helps bring the essence of our project to life here in Madrid.”
Brighton College: British educational excellence in Madrid
Brighton College Madrid is closely linked to Brighton College UK and the international community of Brighton College schools. The organization was founded over 180 years ago and is one of the UK’s most renowned independent schools. In 2026, it was ranked number one in the country by *The Times* for GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) results—the British secondary education qualification—after students achieved a record 1,400 “Grade 9” marks, the highest grade in the English exam system. Brighton College UK has also been named “UK School of the Decade” by *The Sunday Times*. Oxford and Cambridge are the universities that receive the highest number of students from Brighton College.
The school, set to open in a year’s time on Calle Gobelas in the Moncloa-Aravaca district, caters to boys and girls aged 3 to 18, combining a solid academic foundation with a focus on personal development. Brighton College Madrid will follow the British curriculum up to the IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) level before transitioning to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme; both qualifications are internationally recognized. “Brighton College Madrid will implement the British educational system but will be fully integrated into Madrid, celebrating Spanish culture and life,” explains Hartley.
English will be the primary language of instruction at Brighton College Madrid, while Spanish will be taught from age three, and Mandarin will be introduced as a third language starting in Primary School. Regarding technology, usage will be mindful: the Early Years and Prep School stages will be free of personal devices, and smartphone use will be restricted until at least age 16.
Brighton College Madrid’s educational approach extends beyond the classroom, featuring inspiring spaces designed for children to collaborate, explore ideas, foster creativity, and enjoy learning together. This educational experience is complemented by a wide range of activities covering sports, the arts, public speaking, entrepreneurship, and well-being.
Brighton College firmly believes that children learn best when they feel valued, as this boosts their interest and motivation. Consequently, the educational system is built upon three core values—curiosity, confidence, and kindness—which will form the essence of daily life at Brighton College Madrid.
“These three values are our foundation. Curiosity sparks the desire to learn and motivates students to keep asking questions; confidence helps them find their own voice and face new challenges with assurance; and kindness makes respect and empathy the starting point for all interactions with others,” notes George Hartley, Founding Head Master. “Academic ambition will go hand in hand with a close-knit, supportive environment where every student receives the guidance needed to discover their strengths and reach their full potential.”
Upcoming meetings with families
The upcoming meetings will take place at La Finca Grand Café (Avda. de Luis García Cereceda, 5, Pozuelo de Alarcón):
- Open Evening: Thursday, 15 October | 19:00 – 21:00
- Open Morning: Tuesday, 27 October | 10:30 – 12:30
During these sessions, families will have the opportunity to meet with George Hartley, Aurora López Martín, and David Murphy, as well as other members of the institution, to discuss the school and ask any questions prior to its scheduled opening in September 2027.
“These meetings are a highly enriching opportunity for both families and Brighton College Madrid. They allow us to meet in person and explain what the daily school routine will be like,” explains George Hartley, Founding Head Master of Brighton College Madrid. “This personal contact is very important to us; it enables us to share what their children’s experience at the school will be like and to listen to their needs.”
To attend the meetings, please register by emailing the Admissions team at admissions@brightoncollegemadrid.com or by calling 917 181 015. Families can learn more about the project by visiting the Brighton College Madrid website.
About Brighton College
With a history spanning over 180 years, Brighton College is recognized as one of the UK’s leading independent schools for boys and girls aged 3 to 18, and the country’s top performer in A-level results. Its philosophy combines outstanding academic excellence with an innovative, pupil-centered approach, championing kindness, curiosity, and confidence as the foundations of success.
Brighton College pupils go on to attend the world’s best universities, supported by a global alumni network—Brighton College Connect—that offers them support, guidance, and opportunities long after graduation.
Each Brighton school is designed to be far more than just a functional space; they are inspiring environments that combine light, spaciousness, and resources to foster creativity, collaboration, and academic ambition.
After nearly 20 years at the helm of Brighton College—a period during which the school rose from 147th to 1st place in the *Sunday Times* A-level rankings and increased its annual Oxbridge intake from four pupils to 43—Richard Cairns has assumed the role of Principal of Brighton College. As the only headmaster to have twice been named *Tatler* Head of the Year, he retains overall responsibility for Brighton College while also overseeing the growth of the Brighton family of schools in the UK and abroad.
The Brighton College family includes campuses in Brighton, London, Hove, Handcross, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, Hanoi, Vibhavadi, and Al Ain. Together, they educate over 9,000 pupils, guided by more than 1,000 outstanding teachers who share a commitment to pedagogical innovation, personal support, and preparing young people to play an active, positive role in the international community.
About Intellego Education
Intellego Education’s mission is to create a network of high-quality European schools by combining acquisitions with new developments, drawing on the best of British pedagogy alongside extensive international experience.
Its Chairman and Director of Education, Dr. Stephen Spurr, previously served as Head of Classics and House Master at Eton College, Headmaster of Clifton College in Bristol, and Headmaster of Westminster School in London—the UK’s top-ranked school during his nine-year tenure. He subsequently served as Director of Education at Inspired, where he managed schools worldwide, with a particular focus on Italy, Spain, and Portugal. This background combines extensive expertise in both British and European education.
Intellego benefits from strong institutional backing, bringing extensive real estate development experience together with the strategic vision and financial support needed to invest in projects with social impact.
Intellego currently manages schools in the UK and Italy and is actively developing new opportunities in Spain, Portugal, and the rest of Europe.
