In front of an audience of the school council, board members, teachers, local politicians and press Raquel Montagne, Head Girl and Argit Goyal, Head Boy welcomed the president and the other guests including the Ambassadors from Britain, the Czech Republic and Kenya  to the opening. After unveiling a plaque to commemorate the event Esperanza Aguirre was given a tour of Tenbury House, meeting many of the boarders.

After the tour she gave a speech which praised the role that King’s College has played in educating “thousands of Madrillenos at the very highest standard” over many years. She also talked about the importance of employing native English speakers to teach in Spanish schools. Elaine Blaus, Headteacher explains “A Spanish citizen can go to university in the UK and take a degree in, for example, in Maths or Geography. When they have finished their first degree they can take a post-graduate teaching course and get a job teaching in Britain. However,  if they want to come back to Spain and teach in a state school, they face years of bureaucratic struggle with the authorities responsible for convalidation of academic qualifications. This is the huge advantage that King’s College has over bilingual schools. Almost all our teachers are native speakers of English with excellent theoretical and practical training from universities in the UK. You can read more about President Aguirre’s speech on the internet:
http://www.elmundo.es/elmundo/2012/01/17/madrid/1326800951.html

Mrs Blaus’ speech described Tenbury House as a “difference engine” for the school. She said “Spanish children learn a lot from being educated by children from other parts of the world. Teachers too benefit from teaching the best, brightest, most ambitious young people from around the world.” Mrs Blaus’ speech to celebrate the official opening of the King College boarding school can be read here: Tenbury House opening speech.