Maria Wikström
Principal
Maria is a qualified teacher and special-needs educator with {years:maria} years as a principal in Sweden, and has led the school's educational work since 2025.
About the school
A Swedish school with international opportunities
Swedish International School offers preschool and primary school up to Year 6. Lower secondary pupils study via Sofia Distans and upper secondary pupils via Hermods, with on-site supervision from us.
A Swedish school with international opportunities
Swedish International School in Estepona was founded with the ambition of creating a modern Swedish school where knowledge, security and personal development are combined with the opportunities that life on the Costa del Sol offers.
Here Swedish education and the Swedish curriculum meet language, Spanish culture, sport and an international environment. Small classes and close relationships between pupils, teachers and families create the conditions for every pupil to develop both academically and as an individual.
From idea to school
The idea for Swedish International School was born in 2023 through Anders Widén, who after many years abroad and experience from his children's international schools saw the opportunity to create a new Swedish school on the Costa del Sol.
Together with Ida and Carl-Johan Beckman the idea developed into what became Swedish International School, and in the autumn term of 2023 the school welcomed its first pupils.
Since the start, the school has grown and developed further. Today it is Ida and Carl-Johan Beckman who, together with the school's management and employees, actively drive the school's continued development.
Ida Beckman is today chair of the board of Swedish International School.
Our history
2023
The idea becomes reality
Swedish International School is founded in Estepona and in the autumn term of 2023 the school welcomes its first pupils. The vision is clear from the start: to combine Swedish education with small classes, close relationships, languages, sport and the international opportunities that life on the Costa del Sol offers.
2024
Official approval and inauguration
2024 becomes an important year in the school's history. Swedish International School receives its official approval from Junta de Andalucía to teach according to the Swedish education system. On 31 May the school is officially inaugurated together with pupils, families and specially invited guests. Among them are Estepona's mayor José María García Urbano, deputy mayor Paula Herrera Ortega, Sweden's honorary consul in Málaga Isabel Pascual Villamor and Málaga's director of education Miguel Briones Artacho.
2025
New principal, Malmö FF and a memorable national-team visit
Maria Wikström takes up her post as the new principal and Swedish International School continues to develop both its education and its sports profile. During the year the partnership with Malmö FF begins and the school becomes home to MFF's first school academy outside Sweden. Pupils can combine their studies with football training based on Malmö FF's established academy concept. In November the school also receives a much-appreciated visit from part of the Swedish men's national football team. For the pupils it is a chance to meet some of Swedish football's greatest role models, and a memory far beyond the ordinary school day.
2026
Padel, tennis and a broader sports profile
The school's sports profile continues to develop. In addition to the partnership with Malmö FF, pupils can now choose a padel and tennis profile and combine their education with regular training during the school day. At the same time Swedish International School continues to develop the education and the school environment with the same founding idea as at the start – a Swedish school where knowledge, language, movement and personal development all have their place.
The school's leadership
The educational and operational leadership is responsible for the school's everyday work, quality and development together with the founders.
Swedish education in Spain
Swedish International School has official permission from Junta de Andalucía (the Spanish education authority for Andalusia, the equivalent of Skolverket for schools operating in Spain) to provide education according to the Swedish education system in Spain.
Every school in Spain must be authorised by its regional education authority and is subject to the education inspectorate, which reviews premises, safety, group sizes and staff qualifications.
For us it is important that families feel confident in both the quality of the education and the school's long-term stability. The teaching is based on Swedish education and Swedish governing documents, while pupils also benefit from the language, culture and opportunities that come with attending school in Spain.
Sport as part of the school day
Sport is an important part of the school's identity and is part of the school day – not just an after-school activity.
MFF International Academy
Through the partnership with Malmö FF, pupils can combine their education with football training based on MFF's academy concept. Swedish International School is home to Malmö FF's first school academy outside Sweden.
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Padel profile
Pupils can combine the school day with organised padel training and develop within one of Spain's biggest sports.
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Tennis profile
The school's tennis profile lets pupils combine their education with regular tennis training in the unique sporting environment around the school.
Read moreA unique setting on the Costa del Sol
Swedish International School is located in a setting where school, sport and life on the Costa del Sol meet.
The proximity to Villa Padierna Racquet Club creates unique opportunities for the school's sports profiles in padel and tennis among others.
Through the school's partnership with Villa Padierna, our families may, when the partnership makes it possible, gain access to special benefits including padel, tennis, golf and restaurants. We give families access to these benefits to the extent we receive them from Villa Padierna.
The environment around the school is an important part of our idea – the school day should leave room for learning, movement and community alike.
A school is also a community
For us a school is much more than the teaching in the classroom. Swedish International School should be a place where pupils, families and staff get to know each other and where there is a strong sense of community outside lessons too.
During the year the school gathers around different activities, celebrations and traditions.
A much-appreciated example is our annual Christmas celebration at Villa Padierna, where pupils, families and staff come together to round off the year.
It is these gatherings and traditions that help create the community we want both pupils and parents to feel part of.
Read more about the community →
Our teachers and staff
In everyday life it is the teachers and staff who make the school. Here you will find personal introductions to the people pupils meet every day – in the classroom, at after-school care and in the schoolyard.
Founders
Behind the school are people with their own experience of moving abroad with a family and of building organisations in an international setting.
Ida Beckman
Co-founder & chair of the board
Ida is chair of the board and, together with the school's management, drives the school's continued development.
Carl-Johan Beckman
Co-founder & development
Carl-Johan is actively involved in the school's development, day-to-day operations and long-term work.
Anders Widén
Initiator & co-founder
Anders came up with the idea in 2023 after many years abroad and experience from his children's international schools. The vision was an open school – “a school without walls” – with teaching at the forefront.
Frequently asked questions
The school is a Swedish school in Estepona following the Swedish curriculum and syllabuses, with certified Swedish teachers.
Welcome to get to know us
The best way to understand Swedish International School is to experience the school in person. Meet our teachers and pupils, see the school environment and discover how Swedish education, languages, sport and life on the Costa del Sol work together.
Whether you already live in Spain, are planning a move or are considering a shorter period, you are very welcome to contact us.