Spain for schools · School trips to Madrid
Exclusive to BSA · Our signature programmeA week in a Spanish private school, with a Spanish family and activities
Seven nights as a Madrid student: mornings in a Spanish private school with pupils of their own age, afternoons of activities in the city, evenings at a Spanish family table.
Free, no obligation · We reply the same dayNot a school trip. A real place in a Spanish classroom
Your group joins a Spanish private school in Madrid that teaches through projects, research and creativity, and welcomes pupils from many countries. Students share lessons, breaks and lunch with Spanish pupils of their own age, and live with Spanish families in some of the best residential neighbourhoods of Madrid. Every afternoon there is something to discover: museums, flamenco, El Retiro, tapas, the Bernabéu.
Updated: November 2026 · Planned and supervised in Madrid by Sonia Rodríguez, Director for Spain, and Irene Mata, teacher.
The week, day by day
| Day | Morning at school | Afternoon and evening |
|---|---|---|
| Sunday | — | Arrival, welcome by BSA, first dinner with the host family |
| Monday | Spanish level test, personalised Spanish class, meet their Spanish buddy, the week’s project is launched | Treasure hunt in historic Madrid: Sol, Plaza Mayor, Royal Palace |
| Tuesday | Spanish class, sport and talents with Spanish pupils, project work | Workshop in class, then a visit to the Museo Reina Sofía |
| Wednesday | Spanish class, lessons with their Spanish class group, project work | El Retiro and a tapas workshop |
| Thursday | Spanish class, sport, project work | Flamenco workshop or Bernabéu tour |
| Friday | Project presentation to the school, final test and certificates | Farewell afternoon with the Spanish buddies |
| Saturday | A day with the host family, or a group day trip to Toledo (optional) | |
| Sunday | Departure |
Lunch every day in the school dining room, home-cooked in the school’s own kitchen, with options for allergies, intolerances, vegetarian and vegan diets. Visits are adapted to each group’s dates and interests.
A school day in Spain
- Lessons from about 8:30 to 14:30 or 17:00, depending on the school
- Lunch in the school dining room
- Break time outdoors with Spanish classmates
- After-school clubs from 16:00 or 17:00
- Dinner at home with the family, around 21:00
Inside the school
Madrid, every afternoon
Looked after at every moment
- 01Our Director for Spain, in personSonia welcomes the group on arrival and oversees the whole week.
- 02A BSA group leaderSpanish-speaking, with the group every afternoon and on every visit, and on call around the clock.
- 03A Spanish buddy for every studentEach visiting student is paired with a Spanish pupil of the same age: the fastest way into real conversations.
- 04Personalised Spanish classes, with a certificateA level test on the first day and a final assessment on the last, with a CEFR certificate of level and attendance.
- 05Host families we knowFrom the school community, visited and chosen by BSA. Accompanying teachers stay with host families too.
- 06The project of the weekA research project led by the students’ curiosity, ending in a real product: a digital magazine, a short film or an installation.
Living with a Spanish family
- How families are chosenMost are recommended by the school or by other host families. We visit every home, and the student’s room, and check identity and references under our safeguarding procedures.
- Who they areCouples with children, single parents, teachers, or families whose children have grown up.
- What they provideA bed, breakfast and dinner, help getting to and from school in the first days, and a real place in family life.
- What we ask of studentsAn open mind, respect for house rules, and family time before screen time.
When to come: your UK half term
The ideal week is when your school is on holiday and Spanish schools are not. UK half terms in late October, February and late May fall in the middle of the Spanish term.
| Year group | Best time |
|---|---|
| Year 9 | October or February half term |
| Year 10 (GCSE year 1) | October, February or May half term: the ideal year |
| Year 11 (GCSE year 2) | October half term, before mocks |
| Year 12 (A level / IB) | October or February half term, with research for the IRP |
| Irish Transition Year | Six weeks, from mid-September or mid-January |
Included
- A Spanish host family in a very good residential neighbourhood, 7 nights, breakfast and dinner
- A place in a Spanish private school, with Spanish pupils of the same age
- Spanish level test on arrival and personalised Spanish classes
- Daily school lunch
- The project of the week
- Sport and talent sessions with Spanish pupils
- Cultural workshops and afternoon visits in Madrid
- Welcome kit: sweatshirt, field notebook and tote bag
- Host family for accompanying teachers: one free place for every 10 paying students
- BSA supervision, group leader and 24-hour emergency line
- Certificates and a teacher pack (risk assessment, parents’ letter)
Not included
- Flights
- Airport transfers and local transport, unless added to the quote
- Optional Toledo day trip
- Travel insurance
- Personal spending
Organising the trip, step by step
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| 6–9 months before | Tell us your dates, group size, ages, Spanish level and objectives. We send a written proposal |
| 5–6 months before | The school confirms. We send the parents’ letter, a presentation for the parents’ evening and the booking form |
| 3 months before | Final numbers, medical and dietary information, host family matching |
| 1 month before | Day-by-day programme, risk assessment, contact sheet and host family profiles |
| In Madrid | Airport welcome, daily supervision by our Director for Spain and a BSA group leader, 24-hour line |
| Back home | Certificates, project outcomes and a follow-up call with the trip leader |
For teachers and trip leaders
Planned and supervised in Madrid by Sonia Rodríguez, Director for Spain, and Irene Mata, teacher.
Request a proposal for your schoolOne written proposal, built around your students.
Questions about this programme
Do students need to speak Spanish?
No. Classes are adapted to every level, from beginners, with a level test on arrival.
How many students stay in each family?
We tell you in the proposal: it depends on the group and the families available, and every match is made by BSA.
Where do teachers stay?
With host families too, and accompanying teachers travel free: one place for every 10 paying students.
Can we come outside half term?
Yes, from September to 20 June, when Spanish schools are in session. We check your dates against the Spanish school calendar.
Is it only for Spanish students?
It is ideal for students of Spanish (GCSE, A level, IB), but any curious group of 14 to 17 year olds can come.
Other programmes in Madrid
Shall we start with a conversation?
Tell us your dates, your group and what you have in mind. Sonia replies personally and sends you one written proposal.
Free, no obligation · We reply the same day