San Andrea School

San Andrea School is an independent, co-educational school set on open countryside at l-Imselliet, between the towns of Mosta and Mġarr in the north-west of Malta. It educates more than 1,100 mixed-ability students aged 2 to 16, from Pre-Nursery up to Grade 12, and is one of the schools UK families often consider when they move to the island with children. Because Maltese schools follow a calendar and grade system that differs from England, it helps to know how this one is laid out before you make contact.

The school describes its approach as happy, systematic and creative, with each child treated as an individual whose needs are unique. Parents and guardians are expected to play a part in school life, whether actively or simply through their support. If you are weighing up the north-west of Malta as a place to live, our relocation guide for UK families explains the practical steps, and the international schools directory lists other options to compare.

History and the parents who founded it

San Andrea School opened in 1992 at Independence Avenue in Naxxar, starting with just three classes. It was founded by the Parents Foundation for Education, the same group of parents that also set up San Anton School. The Foundation grew out of a conversation among parents in the mid-1980s who felt private schooling in Malta did not offer enough choice, and its founding deed was published on 2 July 1988.

The school has since moved to its current countryside site, where three separate buildings serve the early, middle and senior sectors, each adapted to its own age group. Governance still reflects those parental roots: a School Board of ten parent volunteers oversees policy, finances, school licences, transport and security, and appoints the auditors each year. The senior leadership team includes a Chief Executive Officer, a School Director for Education, and heads of the early and middle sectors and of the senior sector.

How the school day and campus work

Younger children have classrooms clustered by grade around a shared area, with play areas set aside for each age group so that little ones do not mix with older pupils. The early years building has a science lab, a computer lab and a library, and every classroom has a computer. The senior sector spreads over four levels with a classroom for each subject, so students move between rooms, and it adds two science laboratories, a computer lab, a library, an audio-visual room and canteen facilities.

The school year is split into three terms: October to December, January to March, and April to June. Lessons for the early and middle sectors run from 08:20 to 14:35 in winter and 08:20 to 12:40 in summer. Senior sector students begin at 08:15 in winter and finish at the same times as the younger groups. Uniform follows the school's specification and is sold by Bortex, although parents may buy it elsewhere provided it matches the specification.

Values, languages and wellbeing

The school motto is Reason, Respect, Responsibility. Its stated priorities include a sense of belonging, pastoral care for physical, social, emotional and mental wellbeing, inclusive and adaptive teaching, and a multilingual culture that gives weight to Maltese, English and foreign languages. For British parents, the emphasis on English alongside Maltese is often reassuring, since children usually pick up both over time.

Beyond lessons, an extra-curricular programme is offered to students from Nursery to Grade 11, and parents and older students use the MySchool online system to see the homework diary, feedback, upcoming events and the school calendar. The countryside setting is handy for exploring the rest of the north-west: Mdina and Rabat are a short drive away, and Golden Bay is the nearest of the big sandy beaches.

Planning a move and getting in touch

Families arriving from the UK often settle the school question first, then work back to housing, tax and residence. Our guide to Malta tax for UK nationals and the Malta weather guide by month are useful when you are planning timing, and CLA Malta is our featured partner for relocation, company and tax support. If you are coming for a trial stay first, things to do in Malta and the best beaches in Malta will fill the weekends, and the about Malta overview gives the wider picture.

To ask about a place at San Andrea School, use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page and we will pass your message to the school.