Boarding school in Cascais: How to study at King's College School?
King's College School, Cascais, opened in September 2025 with the newest boarding facility on the Portuguese Atlantic coast, offering 50 residential places for students aged 13 to 18. The 40,000 m² campus delivers a British Cambridge curriculum (IGCSE and A-Levels) with the option of an IB Diploma, located 10 minutes from the ocean, 30 minutes from Lisbon by train, and 20 minutes from Sintra. The school is part of Inspired Education, a group with 125 premium schools in 30 countries, and offers a British qualification recognized by Oxford, Cambridge, and the Russell Group without the logistics and cost of the UK. This guide explains how the program works and who it is designed for.
What is the structure of King's College School, Cascais?
King's College School, Cascais, is a co-educational boarding school that opened in September 2025 as the new Portuguese campus of the King's College network, part of Inspired Education. The school caters to children and young people from early years to Year 13, with residential boarding dedicated to ages 13 to 18 (Years 9 to 12).
The curriculum model is British across all stages. The academic path begins with Cambridge Lower Secondary, progresses to IGCSE, and concludes with A-Levels or IB Diploma, with a choice between the two systems in Sixth Form.
The boarding facility is housed in a new building on the main campus, with capacity for 50 boarders. Facilities include international-standard sports fields, a 25-meter indoor swimming pool, a pavilion for large events, university-level laboratories, and a dedicated auditorium.
Why choose Cascais as a boarding destination?
Cascais is an Atlantic town with a long tradition of international community, located 25 km from Lisbon via the Estoril train line. The region combines three rare factors: the ocean just minutes from campus, a European capital connected by an international airport, and surrounding UNESCO heritage sites.
Atlantic Coast, Guincho, and Quality of Life
The Cascais coastline is less than 10 minutes from campus. Conceição Beach, Queen's Beach (Praia da Rainha), and Guincho are part of the school's weekend excursions and outdoor program. Guincho is a world-renowned spot for wind and waves, ideal for sailing and surfing.
The climate is Mediterranean, with approximately 300 days of sunshine per year in Lisbon, according to the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere. This climate pattern allows for outdoor activities throughout the academic year, in contrast to British and Central European boarding schools.
Lisbon in 30 minutes by train
The Cascais-Cais do Sodré line operates with departures every 20 minutes during the day. The journey connects the campus to central Lisbon in 30 minutes, with direct access to Humberto Delgado Airport and museums such as the Calouste Gulbenkian and MAAT.
This urban accessibility simplifies family logistics. Parents visiting students during holidays or school events use Lisbon as a base, with direct flights to São Paulo, Madrid, London, Paris, and Frankfurt.
Sintra: A UNESCO World Heritage Site 20 minutes away
Sintra is a 20-minute drive away. The Cultural Landscape of Sintra has been on UNESCO's World Heritage list since 1995 and features palaces, romantic gardens, and the Sintra-Cascais Natural Park.
This proximity makes Sintra a recurring educational resource: European history lessons, field biology, and photography sessions are incorporated into the calendar without extensive logistical requirements.
How does the Cambridge IGCSE + A-Levels curriculum work?
The British curriculum operates in two sequential cycles. The choice between A-Levels and the IB Diploma is made in Sixth Form, based on the family's university aspirations.
IGCSE prepares students with 5 to 10 subjects, including English, mathematics, and sciences. Electives in humanities, a second language, arts, and technology make up the rest of the curriculum, with external examinations from Cambridge Assessment International Education.
A-Levels focus students on 3 or 4 subjects, with a depth equivalent to the first year of university. The system is the main credential used in UCAS, the British application platform. The early specialization of A-Levels favors applications to Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, and other Russell Group universities.
What are boarding and campus life like?
Boarding in Cascais operates in two formats: full boarding, with full-time stay during the week and weekends included for international students; and weekly boarding, with students returning to their families on Fridays, aimed at families living in Portugal who desire a boarding school academic routine.
The academic week combines classes, supervised study time, sports, and clubs. The classic boarding school structure integrates residence and classroom as a single system.
Weekends include organized activities: trips to Lisbon, Sintra, and the Estoril Coast, surfing at Guincho, sailing at Cascais marina, and museum visits. The calendar takes advantage of urban offerings and nature, without the need for long commutes.
The multicultural composition of boarding (Inspired operates in 30 countries) creates English language immersion on campus and an organic Portuguese environment outside of it, a truly bilingual model that benefits both Portuguese-speaking and international students.
Who is King's College School a good fit for?
The school caters to four main profiles as curated by Be Easy:
- Families planning for a British university and seeking Cambridge-tradition A-Levels without the UK cost
- Athletes who combine high performance with academic rigor, within the Elite Sports Programme
- Students from the summer camp in Cascais who experienced the campus and wish to continue with regular boarding
- Families who combine an educational plan with European mobility plans
To compare with the classic day school format, it's worth reading the guide boarding school versus high school. To understand the surrounding Portuguese system, the overview is consolidated in the guide secondary education in Portugal.
How do applications and the D4 visa work?
The application for boarding at King's College School, Cascais, follows the international Cambridge standard, with four stages:
- Academic documentation: transcripts from the last two years, reference letters from English and Math teachers
- English assessment: internal test or recognized certification, minimum CEFR B2 level for IGCSE entry and C1 for Sixth Form
- Interview: online with the admissions team, in English
- Conditional offer: formal enrollment upon submission of documentation and passing a test
For students under 18, the required visa is the D4, issued by AIMA for study residency. Documentation includes an acceptance letter, proof of financial means, legalized parental authorization, and valid health insurance in Portugal.
As of April 2026, the process began requiring in-person attendance at VFS Global Centers. It is recommended to start at least three months in advance. The diploma validation in Brazil takes place at the State Secretariats of Education upon return, with an average processing time of 30 days to 6 months.
Frequently Asked Questions about King's College School, Cascais
Can I enter Sixth Form directly to only do A-Levels?
Yes. Students who have already completed IGCSE, British GCSE, or a recognized equivalent (such as American High School up to Year 11) can enter directly into Year 12 for A-Levels, subject to case-by-case assessment.
Are A-Levels obtained in Portugal equivalent to British A-Levels?
Yes. Cambridge Assessment International Education administers the same exams globally, with British marking. The certificate does not identify the country where the student studied. UCAS applications are treated equally.
Does the school require fluent English for admission?
Yes. The standard is CEFR B2 for IGCSE and C1 for Sixth Form. Students close to the required level can strengthen their skills before the start of the academic year or participate in the school's summer camp for language preparation.
How does the Elite Sports Programme work?
The program combines daily training with a flexible academic calendar, designed for athletes with national or international competitive aspirations. Covered sports include tennis, football, swimming, and sailing, with dedicated facilities on the 40,000 m² campus.
How far in advance should I start the process?
Ideally, 12 to 18 months before entry. The 50 boarding places are limited, and the D4 visa schedule, which requires an in-person appointment at VFS Global, demands a minimum of three months' planning.
Be Easy: Boutique Study Abroad Consultancy
Be Easy supports families looking to build a solid international high school pathway. If Cascais fits your plans and King's College School is a good match for your child's profile, we offer comprehensive support for the program, documentation, D4 visa, and arrival. To speak with a dedicated senior consultant, contact us.
