St. Anthony’s College – Málaga

St. Anthony’s is a small school with about 250 students ranging from pre-school to 19-year-old students. Although the school is a little difficult to get to and located on a main road, it is set in beautiful surroundings. The grounds of the school are tidy and well tended and help to make a pleasant working environment. Because of the size of the school, the school and the teachers therein like to refer to themselves as ‘a family’. The students are on the whole, happy, respectful and well looked after. Every morning the Principal waits at the front gate to greet the students. Ms Bedford is a warm, amiable, and approachable person who throws herself wholeheartedly into her job to the benefit of the school and her students. Despite her relative inexperience, both teachers and students respond to her with affection. Some other members of staff are also remarkably helpful. Despite not knowing me, one teacher put me up for two weeks, whilst I looked for more permanent accommodation. The level of teaching varies; but I was particularly impressed by the English and Geography departments who demonstrated a level of excellence throughout the year. On the flipside, the biggest problem is the chronic lack of investment in the school. There is no heating in winter and no A/C in summer and no changing rooms or shower facilities for sports. Many of desks and chairs are too small for secondary students and classes are often interrupted by students from other classes moving desks from one class to another. Teachers are not provided with any computer equipment and are expected to bring in their own lap tops to school. There is no Personal Development, library and a shortage of text books. Wages are poor (and the area is expensive). New teachers do not get paid in the summer and instead are expected to ‘sign on’ and claim social security. Other teachers have reported that they haven’t had a pay rise in a number of years, others have been deliberately underpaid. The school will not even place advertisements for new teachers as they don’t want to pay for the ads. The lack of investment is unforgivable. Whilst some members of staff excel in their jobs others do not. My particular forte involved emergency preparedness and I watched with dismay as during the fire drill students were funneled towards the only open entrance creating a bottle neck. During Covid-19 the school used a ‘Covid co-ordinator’ who didn’t speak English. Following generic government guidelines the school actively encouraged some teachers (myself included) and students to come into school despite being Covid positive. There was very little flexibility in adopting these Covid plans and infection increased accordingly. Some teachers seemingly work with complete immunity to the disciplinary procedures of the school, others thrive on a culture of insidious gossip. Whilst many members of staff were helpful and kind, others were openly disrespectful and rude. The one occasion where (some) teachers received a slight increase in wages due to new legislation we were told it was ‘not based on merit’. Some students can be quick to complain and difficult to please. Sometimes their actions are outrageously rude and entitled. It is sometimes the case, that in these instances little support is given to the teacher. There also a degree of toxicity by some parents towards teachers sometimes in the form of aggression and threats. Some parents seem oblivious to how to conduct themselves in a school setting as they know the school will not take appropriate action to ensure this doesn’t happen. Whilst this is not unique to St Anthony’s a prevailing culture of appeasement certainly doesn’t help matters. Despite the myriad of problems, I will look back on my time at St Anthony’s fondly. There is much to like about the school. Most of the problems detailed come from a lack of investment of which the owner of the school must take full responsibility. If he invests properly in the school, then there is the potential for the school to achieve great things. If not, it won’t. Christopher Kni

Excelente colegio, muy buena educación y calidad humana increíble tanto de Marcela, Miss Speakman, Mr Asencio, Miss Leen y la mayoría de los profesores…Mis dos hijas fueron encantadas aquí. Lamentablemente tuvimos que cambiarlas al British College de Benalmadena ya que nos mudamos y ya nos quedaba muy lejos este colegio. Para mejorar, la parte edilicia. Lo recomiendo 100%

Estoy encantada , tengo tres hijos , y todos los dias van felicez al colegio , un trato familiar , se preocupan por cada niño en especial , y la directora esta presente en la misma puerta todas las mañanas , y le da importancia a cada situacion , marcela es un un encanto , si estas dudando entre colegios , sin lugar a duda este es el mejor , valoramos el fondo , que son el equipo de profesionales que forman st.anthony’s college.

Great school, care about each child’s personal needs & very loving environment. Help every child to reach the best of their ability …. would thoroughly recommend.

Genuine and very solid teaching methods from teachers who not only care but know how to deal with teenagers. I’ve no regrets at all moving our son here.

Estupendo Mejor no se educar a los niños Excelente Exquisita atención del personal Los profesores un encanto en especial Miss Limb y Mr Asensio

Nice place warm and welcoming for students. They Think a lot of the human perspective. So you allways fell at home.

Un colegio familiar. Mis hijos van encantados.