Chiswick House School

For British families moving to Malta with children, the choice of school is often the first big decision, and Chiswick House School is one of the established independent options. It sits in Kappara, a residential part of San Ġwann, and works hand in hand with St Martin's College on Swatar Road. Together they form a leading co-educational independent school for pupils aged 3 to 18.

The school is listed in our directory of international schools in Malta. If you are still planning the move itself, our guide to relocating to Malta covers the wider picture.

A school with 120 years of history

The schools trace their roots to 1905 and 1906, and their founding sisters are remembered in a curated space called The Living Room at St Martin's College. It was opened to mark the 120th anniversary and tells the story of the community through photographs, artefacts and timelines, from the early days to recent projects. Staff, board members, former pupils and learner representatives from every level attended the launch.

The education is built around eight values, all beginning with the letter C: communication, collaboration, creativity, commitment, compassion, confidence, critical thinking and contribution. The aim is for every child to reach their fullest potential and to feel trusted within a close community.

School levels from age 3 to 18

Learning is organised in stages: Early Years, Junior Years, Middle School, Senior School and Sixth Form. Chiswick House School looks after the younger children, and pupils move up to St Martin's College for the later stages, with transition ceremonies and parent visits helping the change feel gentle. Younger classes enjoy family mornings, gardening, carnival and an annual panto performed by teachers.

Older students take on projects such as the Duke of Edinburgh Award, language festivals, school trips abroad and student councils, and the Sixth Form holds an open evening for prospective students. The wider offer includes an International Programme, educational support, Maths Mastery, an ethics programme, a School of Performing Arts, extra hour options, a summer school and the SMC Sports Complex.

Learning reaches beyond the classroom. Pupils have taken part in a Spanish exchange, trips to Italy, France and Germany, a London literature trip and local outings to Mdina, Valletta and Gozo. The school has renewed its NACE Challenge Award accreditation, and St Martin's College has won the Ekoskola Leaf Award, reflecting a strong focus on caring for the environment, with gardens, composting and waste reduction weeks.

Admissions and settling in

Choosing a school can feel daunting when you are new to the island, so the admissions team offers to meet parents, answer questions and guide them through each step. The school also holds open days and welcome events at the start of each scholastic year, including a familiarisation day for the youngest children. The admissions section of the site is the place to begin, and the team asks that general enquiries go through it first.

Parents arriving from abroad are part of the picture: pupils come to the schools from many countries, and the school hosts a Nationalities Fair each year. Our guides to where to stay in Malta and the Malta weather guide can help you choose a neighbourhood and plan the move, and the things to do in Malta guide covers weekends once you have settled.

Contacting the school

Chiswick House School is at 38 Antonio Schembri Street in Kappara, San Ġwann, and St Martin's College is in Swatar. If you want to see the capital before term starts, our Valletta guide is a good place to begin.

If you would like to ask about a place, visit dates or the levels on offer, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to the school.