Runnymede College – Parent Questionnaire

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Section 1: Choosing Runnymede

1. What years did your child(ren) attend Runnymede College and at what age did they start?

2. What were the main reasons you chose a British independent school in Madrid for your child’s education?

3. Were you already familiar with the British education system at the time—or was it a new experience for your family?

4. What were your initial impressions of the school—its building, atmosphere and philosophy—when you first visited?

5. Did Runnymede College feel very different from the schools you or your partner had attended as children?

Section 2: Everyday Life, Practicalities & Environment

6. How did you and your family manage the daily journey to and from school? What was that commute like?

7. What did it feel like to buy and see your children wear a British school uniform in Madrid?

8. What do you recall about the physical environment of the school—classrooms, playgrounds, staff rooms, dining hall?

9. What stood out to you when visiting the school—what did you see, hear or notice about the atmosphere?

10. Was there anything that surprised you about the way in which school resources (books, sports equipment, musical instruments, IT, etc.) were presented or made available?

Section 3: Curriculum, Culture & School Life

11. What was your reaction to seeing British-style homework, exams, or textbooks— perhaps IGCSEs or A-levels—for the first time?

12. What did you understand at the time about the British philosophy of education or British cultural values in the school?

13. What did you see as the advantages—and perhaps the disadvantages—of this style of schooling for your child?

14. How did the school communicate with you as a parent about your child’s progress and wellbeing?

15. Were you aware of, or involved in, any after-school activities—sports, theatre, music, trips—and what was your impression of them?

Section 4: Community, Society & Identity

16. Describe the the key elements of the school community?

17. How diverse did the school feel—among children, parents and staff

18. Were there staff members (teachers, assistants, admin, cooks, cleaners) who stood out to you?

19. How did it feel to be part of an international or British school community within Spanish society at the time?

20. Were there moments when you or your children felt “different” from others in Madrid because of the school?

Section 5: Time, Memory & Broader Change

21. Do you recall any national or international events during your child’s time at the school (e.g. political changes, economic shifts, cultural events) that affected your life—or the school’s?

22. How you feel the school reflected or adapted to the social and cultural changes taking place in Spain over the years?

23. Looking back, how do you think Runnymede helped your children navigate the world they were growing up in?

24. Did your experience of the school evolve over time—as Spain changed, as the school changed or as your children got older?

25. Are there any particular memories—funny, moving, or significant—that you associate with the school or its staff during your child’s time there?