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Secondary Years

Nurturing a love of learning and empowering teens to thrive

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Our Secondary Programmes guide teens on a personal learning journey of exploring their passions and equip them with the fundamental skills needed to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Our innovative learning experiences are the result of years of research and the best practices of top educators worldwide. They combine the most effective learning approaches to nurture young adults who love learning and flourish in life.

Why Parents Choose Learnlife

Traditional schooling wasn’t built for every child. Too often, it prioritises memorisation over creativity and wellbeing. Learnlife offers a progressive alternative that allows children to:

✅ Learn without the stress of rigid exams and curriculums
✅ Develop essential real-world skills through hands-on projects
✅ Feel safe and supported in a nurturing community
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Hannes

Learnlife Parent

Learnlife is a purposeful community centred around lifelong learning, skills, and mindsets which matter and will matter even more in the future. Dedicated and passionate learning guides support learners to push their limits! Learning here is cool, fun and challenging. It becomes an integral part of your life! Learnlife is the reason that we live in Barcelona now. I feel blessed that my kids are part of it.”

jennifer

Jennifer

Learnlife Parent

I had never imagined that I would see my child grow so much in terms of self-confidence and willingness to try new things in just one short year. They have had support and encouragement to dive more deeply into the things they love. I am beyond grateful to the caring Learning Guides that have helped nurture my child with care and love, and for the deep friendships and sense of community they have developed while at Learnlife.

Ben

Ben

Learnlife Parent

I have 2 kids here. We started in the US public school system and needed a change, and found Learnlife. My kids are thriving. The community is incredible. Best decision we have ever made regarding education for my children. This is the future of education, and I wish all children had the opportunity to learn in this type of environment!

Federica

Federica

Learnlife Parent

Despite his good results in traditional school, my son felt that he could not satisfy all his curiosity and did not enjoy learning. In short, at Learnlife he found the right environment to transform his ideas into concrete projects and enjoy learning. Here, you are learning to learn and trust yourself.

Dave

Dave

Learnlife Parent

Learnlife is a truly unique place. It is an innovative and nurturing environment that fosters creativity, collaboration, curiosity and discovery. Learnlife has been a great fit for our son. We are watching him grow and thrive in a way that we hadn’t seen before.

Isabelle

Isabelle

Learnlife Parent

The experience is unique and totally different from what she would have had in a more conventional environment. It's an amazing mix of organized freedom to learn in a sustainable, eclectic, and resilient environment! Happy child, happy mom!

Guy

Guy

Learnlife Parent

Learnlife has been an exceptional learning journey for our kids. A harmonious blend of innovative education with sustainability values truly cultivates the whole learner. My kids have flourished, developing vital life skills beyond traditional academics. The empathetic staff nurtures a community rooted in real-world, experiential learning. This place is truly transformative and a landmark in future education. I highly recommend it!

Lynne

Lynne

Learnlife Parent

Sunday nights used to be a terrible time for the family because the kids dreaded starting another week of school the next day. Now they're actually excited to get back to it. Just after the first week or two we noticed a big difference in both kids, which I would describe as self-confidence that comes from being treated with respect.

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Secondary years at a glance

Our full-time secondary programmes are for teens aged 12-18. They recognise that personal growth is built on consistent positive relationships and encourage learners to be curious, creative and eager to experiment and explore the world surrounding them. As young lifelong learners, they develop essential attributes and become reflective, resilient and creative.


Location

Full-time programmes experienced at our Urban Hub in Barcelona and Village Hub in Sant Pere de Ribes/Sitges.


Philosophy

Learner-centric, personal, human-centred, hands-on and relevant to the real world.

 


Academics

Project-based, personal, core skills (literacy, numeracy, science, language, social studies) and developing passions.


Team

Experts in personal learning, trained to create a safe, welcoming and engaging environment.

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An Accredited International Secondary School

Learnlife's Secondary Programme at the Urban Hub is recognised as an accredited international secondary school.

We are fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), an internationally recognised accrediting body.

Our Approach

Our human-centred approach to learning focuses on the learner as a whole, using a competency model to develop essential skills and competencies needed to flourish. 

In addition to building strong foundational skills in math, English, and science, we prioritise developing communication, creativity, problem-solving and collaboration - all crucial skills for thriving in an ever-changing world. 

At the end of each learning cycle, our learners come together to showcase their projects to peers, parents, and guests in a celebratory event.
Our approach has been featured in:
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Our full-time Learning Programmes

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Explorers
Typically aged 12-13

Our Explorers programme sparks curiosity and guides learners on a journey of self-discovery and understanding of the world around them.

As they embark on an adventure of learning, they gain new skills, explore new concepts and express their creativity.

Through self-directed learning, they are always eager to expand their knowledge and explore new possibilities.

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Creators
Typically aged 14-16

Our Creators programme empowers self-directed learners to boost their creativity and confidence.

Learners become active designers and makers experimenting in our state-of-the-art studios to develop innovative solutions to complex global challenges.

They experience transdisciplinary learning connecting with the real world in their quest for knowledge and innovation.

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Changemakers
Typically aged 17-18

Our Changemakers programme develops learners' capacity to create and manage change and innovation. 

Learners tackle real-world problems with authentic audiences and are mentored to become responsible adults who can positively impact the world.

Through job shadowing, internships and mentorship, learners explore and determine their post-Learnlife goals.

Neurodiversity Support

We offer specialised modules to support neurodiverse learners in building a positive self-image based on their superpowers. Integrated into our Secondary Programmes, our neurodiversity support empowers learners to explore their passions and demonstrate their talents fearlessly.

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What does a typical day look like

Our schedule contains building blocks which provide structure to the day.

The building blocks promote learner agency, are real-word orientated and incorporate diverse learning methodologies. They grow essential foundational skills that foster confident and eager learners.

All learners start their day with a wellbeing check-in. The schedule for Explorers runs from 9am to 4pm, while the Creators and Changemakers day takes place from 10am to 4.30pm.

Example building blocks

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What makes us different?

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Building foundations and exploring passions

Learning can be fun and impactful at the same time! We develop essential skills needed to flourish in an ever-changing world and empower teens to learn through adventure and explore their passions. This nurtures a love of learning, and our learners are twice as likely to recommend us over their previous school.

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Nurturing unique talents and interests

We recognise children are unique individuals and don’t all learn the same way. Our personal learning approach develops fundamental skills and empowers learners to make decisions about their own learning. This creates happy, lifelong learners that flourish in life.

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Preparing for the modern world

We provide a 21st-century, human-centred learning experience. We don’t make learners memorise and regurgitate but develop intercultural awareness, self-reflection and critical thinking skills. This prepares and empowers learners to thrive in the modern world.

Fees, admissions & enrolment 

We accept enrolments throughout the year, but most children join in September and January.

To start the application process, you can contact us and we will set up a virtual meeting where you will find out more about Learnlife and whether we’re a good fit for your child.

You then have the opportunity to visit the Urban Hub, and if you want to progress with your application, we will guide you through the rest of the process.

Contact us to start your application.

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Progression - Life after the Urban Hub

Learners have a range of pathways available to them, depending on their goals and interests.

Learners who meet the required criteria will qualify for an American high school diploma through NEASC and are entitled to apply to co-validate their learning to receive the ESO certificate.

As learners approach 15 years old, they have a pathways discussion to explore their options and develop a plan that helps them get to their preferred destination. Our learners become entrepreneurs, progress to university and go straight into employment.

Where can I experience this learning programme?

 

 

Join our next event

May 07, 2025

Learnlife Info Session - 7th May

Register now for our upcoming live Virtual Info Session to learn more about Learnlife.

Learn more

Frequently asked questions

We understand that developing strong foundational skills in literacy and numeracy is a critical component of learning to be a self-determined lifelong learner.

 

At the Urban Hub these skills are developed in multiple ways. There are the specific building blocks (courses) that target these skills directly.

 

In a multidisciplinary and transdisciplinary learning environment, these skills are also a core component of many other learning experiences.

 

These authentic learning opportunities are an excellent way to reinforce core understandings in literacy and numeracy.

 

We also understand the neuroscience of learning - and that learning to articulate learning has been shown to be a powerful accelerant of literacy and learning. At every opportunity the learners are encouraged to articulate their learning. 

There are a number of different building blocks which evolve each year, including a specifically science based block.

 

However in order to enable the learners to seek wider links or patterns in their learning, a number of disciplines from a traditional school context have been given fresh contexts within an understanding of wider systems thinking.

 

In this way we get the learners to see the world through a variety of ‘system’ lenses: mathematical systems, scientific systems, economic systems, social and cultural systems.

 

The learners gradually grow their understanding of the wider world within this framework. 

There is a universal need in schools to grow self-directed learning skills, but this remains an elusive or even confusing goal for many schools.

 

We have had a close look at the different skills learners need in order to be capable of self-managed lifelong learning. These skills provide the basis for a highly intentional growth of learner agency within the context of independent learning skills.

 

At the Urban Hub learners are constantly brought face to face the reality of needing to develop independent learning skills. The different sub skills that contribute to the ability of individuals to flourish and grow as learners have been brought into a context where the sub skills are identified and grown.

 

Learners are mentored into adopting strong self-direction, self-management, self-regulation and self-determination.

 

As individual learners gain strength in the terminology of learning, so too do they grow self-autonomous learning skills. 

Read more in our full FAQ