I WENT TO THE BRITISH COUNCIL SCHOOL,
75 years of stories and memories. Our 75th anniversary has been the excuse to appeal to people's feelings of nostalgia and capture the magic lived and learnt in the School. More than 10,000 students, both Spanish and from other nationalities have passed through the classrooms of the British Council
Madrid, 19 of December, 2016.- The British Council School today launches its book “I WENT TO THE BRITISH, 75 years of stories and memories, a work which brings together the history of the School.
People involved in the School and many old alumni have made the book possible. It tries to transmit all special moments, stories and memories which people have lived in it's classrooms.
Those present at the launch ceremony included Gillian Flaxman, Headmistress at the British Council School; Andy Mackay, the Director of the British Council in Spain, Patricia Martínez de Vicente; Lucía Hernández- Canut Lafuente, and Silvia Prado Head of Communications and Marketing at the British Council School.
In the words of Paloma Díaz Sanz about her own journey through the British Council School, “they were very happy years in a mixed school which was very different to other schools in Spain in the 50's. We had to study hard, but we also did theatre, ballet, sports, we played basketball and sang in the choir”. Isabel Serralta, one of the other ex-students has also contibute her own bit to make this work possible. She says “ I remember ny childhood as a very happy and joyful time, awash with colour, light and harmony. Classes were enjoyable, dynamic and fun. The “thirst for knowledge” was part of the School's method.”
This book condenses the history of the British Council School which continues to foster the same spirit of innovation which has given it, its international reputation. In all, 65 people including ex-alumni, teach staff and executive managers have made it possible to create a work in whose pages we can witness how this institution has evolved through time. It is also a testimony of the changing rhythm of the city and how it has adapted its plans to the changing needs of the children and of society at large.
It is also clear in the book how the School provides something which singles out and differentiates its students.The School imparts an education which is based on participation and affection. The British Council School centres its teaching methodology on values of respect, tolerance, free and independent critical thinking, courage to fight for what is right, overcoming adversity and supporting others; these are some of the basic principles on which our teaching is based.
Our ex-student Paco Torrubiano reminds us what the facilities at the School were like in the 1950's “I can remember the classrooms perfectly well, with those enormous independent wooden desks with slightly angled tops which opened so you could put away your books. At the top of the desk was a hole for an ink-well, and the chairs were just the same lumps of wood as the desks with a ledge to leave your rucksack on.”
Amongst those students who have been educated at the British Council school, and who have have taken part in preparing this book, we should mention the renown writer Carmen Posadas and the journalist Sonsóles Ónega.
“The 75th anniversary has provided the excuse to appeal to people's feelings of nostalgia and to try and capture the magic of what people have lived through and learnt at the School”.
The British Council School has been a pioneer amongst British schools in Spain since 1940, when it first opened. Since then, its main objective has been, not only to offer a bilingual education but also to help develop future citizens, encouraging values of freedom, honesty, integrity, commitment, creativity and professionalism.
This prestigious teaching institution promotes British education, the English language and cultural relations around the world. The School has been acknowledged for its excellence as one of the best educational establishments in both Spain and Britain. Over 10,000 students from both Spain and other nationalities, have passed through its classrooms and many of these have subsequently gone on to achieve great things in their professional lives.
About the British Council School
The British Council School is a pioneer amongst British schools in Spain having first opened its doors in 1940, on Madrid's calle de Méndez Núñez. From that moment on, its main objective has been, not only to offer a bilingual education but also to help develop future citizens, encouraging values of freedom, honesty, integrity, commitment, creativity and professionalism.