British company Forfar acquires Torres Vedras International School
Private school in western Portugal joins London-based group and appoints new director, Kate Sommerville, as part of this acquisition, its second in Portugal.
The Torres Vedras International School (EITV) was purchased by the British company Forfar Education and became part of the group that is already present in Almada, as well as in the United Kingdom, Spain, and Andorra. The private education deal, whose value has not been disclosed, comes about a year after the purchase of Colégio do Vale, in Charneca de Caparica.
The operation marks the beginning of a new era for the educational institution, as it includes curricular changes, new opportunities for international mobility — given that it is now part of a global network of schools — and the appointment of Kate Sommerville as director. With over 20 years of experience in international education gained in roles in Europe and Asia, Sommerville has implemented student-centred educational projects in different school contexts.
She is moving from the International Sharing School in Taguspark to Torres Vedras, after being one of the founders of The Lisboan International School, which belongs to the Artemis Education group – also based in the United Kingdom – and in which €75 million is being invested.
As part of the transaction, there will also be investment in infrastructure: the campus near the A8 motorway entrance will undergo improvements to include outdoor spaces and adventure learning areas, following the Forest School model, a pedagogical approach that promotes contact with nature, sustainability practices and student well-being.
The new owners of the private school in the West region also plan to introduce Cambridge A Levels and the option of a double diploma, with courses organised for access to specific universities and careers. “Personal development programmes such as Character Strengths, Junior Dukes and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award will be reinforced. Students, teachers and teaching assistants will be able to participate in exchanges, collaborative projects and training with schools in the Forfar Education group”, says Forfar Education.
Expansion plans also include the creation of partnerships with universities, projects linked to the labour market, new teaching resources and the “valorisation of the teaching team”, although the details of this recognition are not known, apart from teacher training.
“This partnership reflects a shared philosophy of enriching education, grounded in traditional family values and academic rigour, with world-class teaching and a strong connection to the global context within the Forfar group. Together, we are committed to investing in the future of EITV, expanding opportunities, deepening the international curriculum and strengthening the existing foundation to support each student’s potential”, explains John Forsyth, CEO of Forfar Education, in a statement.
“This integration represents an extraordinary opportunity for EITV to continue to grow and innovate, without ever losing its identity”, adds Kate Sommerville, the new director of EITV.
Eduardo Castro has been the manager and pedagogical director of EITV since 2004.
