Bilingual Primary School earns prestigious European accolade
Bilingual Primary School in Brighton and Hove has been recognised as one of only two International Spanish Academies in Europe.
Brighton school reaches new heights with Spanish Academy recognition
Bilingual Primary School in Brighton and Hove is celebrating a remarkable achievement after being accredited as an International Spanish Academy by the Spanish Ministry of Education. The honour places the school among an elite group of just two institutions across Europe to receive this prestigious recognition.
The accreditation reflects the school's commitment to delivering high-quality bilingual education and supporting pupil success. With an innovative approach that dedicates half of each school day to Spanish language learning, the school has built a reputation for academic excellence.
A testament to dedication and hard work
Simon King, headteacher at Bilingual Primary School, expressed the school's pride in the achievement. "We are delighted to have been accredited as an International Spanish Academy," he said. "This is a testament to the school's hard work in delivering high-quality bilingual education and enabling the academic success of our pupils."
The headteacher also highlighted the broader significance of the award for the local community. "We are excited to be part of the network and collaborate with other schools to harness the power of bilingual education to support pupils across Brighton and Hove," King added.
The International Spanish Academy accreditation is awarded to schools demonstrating strong bilingual programmes and educational excellence. Bilingual Primary School has consistently achieved results well above the national average, making it a standout performer in the region.
Local support and celebration
The achievement has received warm recognition from local representatives. Peter Kyle, MP for Hove and Portslade, shared his enthusiasm for the school's success. "I couldn't be prouder to have the Bilingual Primary School in Hove and now to see it achieve such recognition – the first of only two schools in Europe to receive the accreditation – it is a special moment," he said.
A ceremonial event is scheduled to take place this week at the Embassy, offering the school a formal opportunity to celebrate this significant milestone with the community and the Spanish Ministry of Education.
The recognition comes as part of growing interest in bilingual education across the UK, with schools increasingly recognising the cognitive and social benefits of teaching young people in multiple languages. For Bilingual Primary School, the accreditation validates its pioneering approach and commitment to nurturing multilingual, globally-minded learners in Brighton and Hove.
Source: Primary school becomes one of only two in Europe to earn accolade