Cognita boosts Spain presence to 10 schools

Cognita has announced a deal to acquire Liceo Sorolla International School in Spain.

The family-founded school, which delivers both the Spanish national curriculum and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, is Cognita’s tenth in Spain and fifth in Madrid.

Cognita now has a community of over 100 schools across 21 countries.

Germà Rigau, managing director of continental Europe at Cognita, described the acquisition as “an exciting milestone” for the group.

Meanwhile, Carlos Llorente Alonso, director of Liceo Sorolla, said the school, which was founded in 1963 by three families, was looking forward to improved opportunities for pupils, more investment in staff and greater collaboration.

Growth of international school groups

The acquisition represents yet more growth by major school groups.

In August, Cognita announced a new partnership with schools in Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar.

Then, in October, Nord Anglia Education expanded its presence in the Middle East by acquiring its third school in Qatar - it has also recently acquired schools in Chile, Colombia and Uruguay.

Big UK private school brands like Wellington College and Reigate Grammar are also expanding into new markets.

Reigate Grammar School International announced this week that it plans to open four schools in Turkey, beginning with an all-through school in Istanbul, which is due to open in 2026. In 2027, Wellington College International plans to open its first school in Africa in Lagos, Nigeria.

According to ISC Research, there are now more than 15,000 international schools, with Asia and West Africa driving much of this growth.