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Schools Reviews assessment
✓ What we like
Full route from age 5 to A Levels in the Western Algarve — Cambridge and Pearson Edexcel IGCSE and AS/A Levels
Bilingual primary — English and Portuguese, including Portuguese subjects from the national programme
Moderate, openly published fees, with discounts of 8% for paying the year up front and 5–6% for siblings
Small secondary classes — intake limited to 18 students per class
Registered Cambridge International School and approved Pearson Edexcel centre; also an ABRSM music exam centre
Stable team — 22 staff, with teachers staying about 9 years on average
◎ Worth noting
Small sixth form — optional IGCSE and A Level subjects run only if at least 3 students choose them
No nursery or kindergarten — the school starts at age 5 (Year 1)
Extra costs: €500 registration, €500 refundable security deposit, €150 annual re-enrolment, €50 insurance; exam fees and SEN support are charged separately
Exam results are not published — the school only mentions a “high pass rate”
Lunch is paid weekly to the school kitchen; the bus runs from Portimão at €550 per term
Vale Verde International School (VVIS) is a British international school on the Estrada do Burgau, between Luz and Burgau near Lagos, in the Western Algarve. It was licensed by the Portuguese Ministry of Education in 2002 and opened a bilingual primary school in 2010.
Primary pupils (Years 1–6) follow the UK National Curriculum, with literacy, numeracy and science in English and subjects such as PE, drama, music, arts and Portuguese culture taught in Portuguese. Secondary students follow Cambridge Lower Secondary (Years 7–9), then Cambridge or Pearson Edexcel IGCSEs (Years 10–11) and AS and A Levels (Years 12–13). The school reports 27 nationalities.
School profile
Programme
British · Cambridge & Edexcel
Class size
Secondary max 18
Programme authorisations / affiliations
✓ Cambridge International School (PT171)✓ Pearson Edexcel centre✓ ABRSM exam centre
Portuguese education licence
✓ Licensed by the Ministry of Education (2002)
Academics
Years 1–6
UK National Curriculum · bilingual English/Portuguese · Cambridge Primary Checkpoint
Years 7–9
Cambridge Lower Secondary · Lower Secondary Checkpoint in Year 9
Years 10–11
Cambridge / Pearson Edexcel IGCSE · usually 7–8 subjects · Double Award Science
Years 12–13
AS & A Levels (Cambridge / Edexcel) · AICE Diploma route for Portuguese universities
A Level subjects
Business / Economics, History / Geography, Computer Science, Mathematics, Biology / Physics / Chemistry / Marine Science, English Language / Literature, Portuguese, Psychology
Teaching language
English · Portuguese at every stage
Admission
Cambridge Insight test, English placement test (non-native speakers) and interview
Exam results
Not published
Sport & activities within curriculum
PE
Compulsory up to Year 11
Arts
Music, drama, art and design (music to Year 9) · ABRSM music exams
Fees · 2026/27
Years 12 & 13 (3 AS/A Levels)
€13,365
* From the school’s 2026/27 fee sheet. Discounts: 8% for paying the year by 30 June, 5% by 31 July; 5% for the second sibling, 6% for the third/fourth. Exam fees and SEN support are extra. Always verify fees directly with the school — they change annually.
Frequently asked questions
What curriculum does Vale Verde International School follow?
A British pathway: UK National Curriculum in a bilingual primary, Cambridge Lower Secondary, then Cambridge or Pearson Edexcel IGCSEs and AS/A Levels.
How much does Vale Verde International School cost per year?
For 2026/27, tuition is €7,623 – €13,365 a year, plus a €500 registration fee, €500 refundable deposit, €150 annual re-enrolment and €50 insurance.
What ages does the school take?
Students from 5 to 18 (Year 1 to Year 13). There is no nursery or kindergarten.
Is there a school bus?
Yes, from Portimão, at €550 per term with a full-year commitment.
Sources: school website (2026) · Wikipedia