An Interview with Learnlife: Innovators who are Rethinking School for Families in Sitges

Sitges for Everyone sits down with the Learnlife team to talk about their child-centred approach to learning and to find out why families should choose their new school, the Village Hub, which opened in the Sitges area in 2024 (all photos copyright Learnlife & have obtained the necessary permissions)

What is Learnlife, in a nutshell?

Learnlife is a global learning community reimagining education as a lifelong, transformational journey that helps young people thrive in life, not just pass exams.

Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, we create personal learning journeys where children grow confidence, curiosity and a genuine love of learning. At our Village Hub in Sitges, children are supported to discover who they are, explore their passions and develop the skills they need to navigate life with purpose, resilience and joy.

How long has Learnlife been in the Sitges area?

Learnlife has been part of the Sitges community since September 2024, when we opened the Village Hub to serve local and international families looking for a more holistic, child-centred alternative to traditional schooling.

Where are you located?

We’re based in Valentí Village, just outside Sitges and Sant Pere de Ribes. The hub blends indoor space with a large roof terrace and access to the surrounding forest, where children can connect with nature as part of learning and play. This allows children to feel grounded, curious and connected to the world around them every day.

What facilities does Learnlife offer?

Our hub has bright, open learning spaces rather than traditional classrooms. Children move between creative studios, project areas, a communal kitchen and an outdoor learning zone and garden area. Every space is designed to support hands-on, experiential learning, whether it’s art, science or growing vegetables outside.

Is Learnlife present anywhere else apart from Sitges?

Yes, Learnlife is a growing international community. Our first hub, the Urban Hub, opened in central Barcelona in 2019 and is an accredited international secondary school. Our beachfront Eco Hub in Castelldefels provides learning programmes for primary children.

We launched Learnlife Rwanda in 2024 to help young people in Rwanda find meaningful opportunities through entrepreneurship, and have also trained over 600 teachers in 60 schools worldwide to adopt a learner-centred approach, including many schools in Catalonia.

What age groups does Learnlife take?

At the Village Hub in Sitges, we currently welcome primary and secondary learners aged 6 to 16. The hub grows with its learners and in a few years will offer learning programmes for teens aged up to 18.

Our Urban Hub in Barcelona offers learning programmes for teens aged 12 to 18, while the Eco Hub in Castelldefels is for primary learners aged 6 to 12.

Are the classes all in English? What do you do about other languages like Catalan and Spanish?

Our main language of communication is English, but we place a strong emphasis on multilingualism. Spanish and Catalan are part of our weekly schedule, and learners regularly experience both languages through activities, stories and projects.

Our learning guides are multilingual, and language learning happens naturally every day through play, collaboration and curiosity.

What curriculum do you follow? What about exams & qualifications?

We follow a competency-based learning model that helps children develop essential skills, strong academic foundations and personal growth.

Learning is meaningful, connected to real life and adapted to each child, so they understand why they are learning what they’re learning.

Rather than standardised exams, assessment at Learnlife is ongoing, personal and growth-oriented. Children demonstrate their learning through real projects, reflections and presentations. Progress is recorded throughout the year through the Learning Vitae, which gives families a clear, holistic view of their child’s development.

Learners also take part in regular showcases and reflective 360 assessments, where they share their work, review goals and celebrate growth with their families and community.

At our Urban Hub, learners can graduate with the American High School Diploma and apply for co-validation to receive the Spanish ESO.

Is Learnlife accredited by any Spanish or international bodies?

Learnlife’s Urban Hub in Barcelona is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC), a highly respected international accrediting body.

The Village Hub has provisional accreditation. At the end of the 2025-2026 school year, we can apply for school accreditation, and we hope the hub will be accredited by June 2027.

What kind of young people choose Learnlife? Why would someone choose Learnlife as opposed to more traditional schooling?

Families who choose Learnlife are often looking for a more personal, human approach to education. Many are seeking a place where their child feels seen, supported and confident being themselves.

Our learners tend to be curious, creative and motivated by learning through doing. Parents frequently tell us they were drawn to Learnlife because they wanted their children to enjoy learning again, feel a sense of belonging and develop the confidence and skills needed to thrive in a changing world.

Research shows that human skills like analytical thinking, resilience, leadership, and creative thinking are what employers want. These are the skills we help children develop, and is another reason why families choose Learnlife.

What does a typical day or week at Learnlife look like for students?

Each day begins with a community check-in, helping children build emotional awareness and strong relationships. Learners then move through a mix of guided sessions, projects, workshops and outdoor experiences aligned with their interests and needs.

There’s a balance between structure and freedom. While children develop core skills such as literacy, maths and science, they are also encouraged to explore personal interests, collaborate with others and build empathy, confidence and teamwork.

What kind of feedback have you been getting from students and their parents?

The feedback we hear most often is about happiness, confidence and creativity. Parents notice their children are more enthusiastic about learning and are more comfortable expressing who they are and what they want to do.

Learners often describe Learnlife as a place where they feel free to be themselves, build meaningful connections and where “it’s not possible” doesn’t exist.

What do young people do after they have left Learnlife?

The majority of our graduates continue on to universities and higher education institutions in Spain and around the world. Others move directly into careers, creative paths or entrepreneurial projects.

More importantly, they leave Learnlife as self-directed, emotionally intelligent young people who understand their strengths and feel confident designing their own futures.

Learners often describe Learnlife as a place where they feel free to be themselves, build meaningful connections and where “it’s not possible” doesn’t exist.

What is your enrolment process?

Applications are open year-round. Families begin with an online meeting with our Admissions Lead, where we get to know each other and explore whether Learnlife feels like the right fit.

Families then complete an application, and if approved, children are invited to experience Learnlife through a taster day or a conversation with the Hub Lead. If it’s a good fit, families are invited to complete their enrolment.

We love welcoming families to see the space and meet our learners and team. We run several Open Houses at our hubs throughout the year, and for those who can’t join us in person, we host monthly online info sessions.

What are your fees?

Our monthly programme fees are €930 for primary, €970 for secondary and €1,050 for 16 to 18. There is also a one-time application and enrolment fee, and an annual fee.

We offer a 5% sibling discount and 5% annual payment discount. Full details can be found on our website.