60 Year History | Colegio San Patricio

OUR HISTORY

Since1958, Colegio San Patricio has endeavoured to provide a solid educational foundation for every student while serving the community. We are committed to adhering to the values of Christian humanism, universal Human Rights, in addition to the principles of democratic coexistence. Students are taught to have tolerance, respect, and uphold active citizenship.

THE BEGINNING – SERRANO

San Patricio began enrolling its first students in 1958. Located on 200 Serrano Street in Madrid, San Patricio was officially recognised as a Teaching Centre under the Education Act of 1953 (amended in 1957). Its founders were four dynamic entrepreneurs, Ms Luisa Murias, Ms Luz Murias, Mr Jaime Marugán and Mr Gabriel Castellano. Each held passionate views on education. However, they were united in their vision to build a progressive learning environment, which had a clear impact on the school from the beginning. As the first Governing Board of San Patricio, they set a lasting example of outstanding school leadership and a legacy of enduring spirit for all who followed.

San Patricio was formed with an avant-garde ethos and Anglo-Saxon approach. The founders implemented three main guidelines: San Patricio was to be a Catholic school with low student/teacher ratios and learners who would have access to English language lessons from an early age. The combination of the first and last guidelines indicates the rationale behind the school's Irish name. The San Patricio founding teachers inspired students to achieve highly in a co-educational school founded on Christian values and a personalised approach to student support. Lessons centred around the English language and culture were influential in the process of additional language acquisition. This education model was ground-breaking when the school was first founded. San Patricio attracted so much attention for the success of the innovative approach that it quickly grew and established a positive reputation.

The reputation was not solely due to the pioneering and atypical approach but equally due to the outstanding work of the highly motivated management and teaching teams. Educators at the school were supported by the endorsement of the families who, firmly believing in the project, entrusted their children's education to San Patricio. The English terms "Nursery" (Pre-school) and "School" (Primary education) were used from the outset, and the English half-day schedule was implemented for the youngest children. The teaching staff were English-speaking Irishmen and women, and examinations in the 4th and 6th grades, which were part of the study plans at the time, granted students the titles of High School Graduate and Senior High School Graduate, respectively.

The courses of study offered in High School prepared learners for a path to the pre-university course (the "Preu") and the subsequent test, which were prerequisites for transition to university. In June 1967, following brilliant results in the 6th-grade examination, the 1960-1961 cohort prepared for their entrance examination for the Baccalaureate, saying goodbye to the school. This cohort was the first group of students to have concluded their studies at San Patricio and the only class to have completed the entire Baccalaureate programme at the Serrano premises.

EL SOTO

The campus in Serrano was in high demand and could not accommodate the number of new students applying for admission. In October 1967, San Patricio opened its new high school in El Soto de La Moraleja and was the first school in Madrid to open its doors in this newly established neighbourhood. The Serrano campus would accommodate the Nursery and Primary Schools, while Secondary students would progress to the new school in El Soto.

The new centre was designed per the regulations of the Spanish Ministry of Education, which did not permit co-educational teaching. Thus, a double school was built – within the same building – with clearly defined male and female quarters, independent class schedules, separate playgrounds and two distinct Technical Management departments.

CSP-Nuestra-Historia-El-Soto-teacher-student

Shortly afterwards, an educational revolution occurred in Spain, and the Basic General Education (BGE) was implemented in 1970. The 4th-grade examination disappeared, along with the corresponding "Elementary Baccalaureate" title, which was replaced with "School Graduate" and was granted to students at the end of the 8-year-long BGE not long before the new Baccalaureate - the Unified Polyvalent Baccalaureate (the UPB) - was introduced. Implementing the General Education Act forced the school to reorganise its grading system.

As of 1975, the school generalised coeducation in all areas. The decision was not surprising for the students of San Patricio as the school had supported friendship between boys and girls since its inception. The new school guidelines meant male and female students could partake in frequent joint extracurricular activities organised outside the classroom, cultural visits, and excursions. Pupils could also socialise daily in the cafeteria, at "recess", and on school transport routes.

These were times of profound changes in Spain, both politically and socially. This period undoubtedly influenced the education of teenagers who had to transition to a new educational system and adapt to a significant political change. The new educational legislation proved confusing for teachers, students, and publishers, who lacked guidance on the process. However, educators at San Patricio decided to remain faithful to their pedagogical beliefs; they incorporated the positive and relevant aspects of the new law and integrated them into its personalised learning strategy.

LA MORALEJA

In 1983, La Moraleja – along with other nearby areas - were subject to urban growth on a large scale. Combined with the highly regarded academic reputation of San Patricio, the demand for high-quality educational centres for young students led to the creation of a new nursery centre in La Moraleja. The campus was designed to mirror the Serrano pre-school but with increased space. Slowly, it went from being a small house to a splendid building, perfectly equipped for the needs of Nursery and Primary School students.

Today, out of the three San Patricio sites, this campus has the most significant number of students. The opening of La Moraleja was the perfect way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the school's founding. As the result of the vision and initiative of one of the school's founders, Mr Jaime Marugán, the new school now comprised two schools for younger children, leading to a school for older students. The children would move between purpose-built schools and change buildings without the turmoil caused by changing classmates. The building design also allowed for smaller class sizes and increased student support.

Since the class of '83-84, students remained at the Serrano campus and in the newly-created La Moraleja Centre until the end of the 5th grade of the BGE, which completed the second stage of the Basic General Education. Students then moved to the El Soto Centre to attend the BGE higher cycle (6th, 7th, and 8th grades), the three UPB courses, and the University Orientation Course (UOC), which was also taught at El Soto School.

In July 1984, with a mix of trepidation and confidence, the school awaited the first results of the Entrance Examinations with some criticism that it may have lacked experience during this first UOC course. However, faculty members did not lack determination. The results confirmed the excellent work of students and teachers, with 100% of students passing the June examination. The same success was repeated in September, with students achieving magnificent results. This success marked the beginning of an outstanding academic record that continues to this day.

Over 60 years of academic excellence