History of the Isca School of English
Our Language School opened in Exeter in 1966. My grandparents and parents have welcomed many generations of students from all over the world. These are some of the highlights of our school.

1966
Ronald and Margery Tomlinson founded the Isca School of English. Our students lived in and had lessons at the school. There were only two course books available!

1979
Richard Tomlinson became principal. Teenagers from all over Europe started to come for short summer courses.

1981
Recognized as “efficient” by the UK Government Department of Education and Science.

1986
The Isca School became one of the first British Council Accredited schools in the UK.

1990s
As Richard and his wife Jo’s family grew so too did the number of junior students coming to Isca for their summer English courses.

2001
The Isca School of English becomes a specialist summer centre for junior students focused on teaching English to teenagers.

2009
The EL Gazette names the Isca School a Centre of Excellence for the first time. We are still a Centre of Excellence today.

2016
Sarah Tomlinson becomes Principal.

2017 -2020
The El Gazette names the Isca School of English the best family-run summer school in the UK.

2019
The Isca School is ranked 9th by the EL Gazette out of all Accredited English Language Schools in the UK (there are more than 500!)

Summer 2020
Covid-19 means we have to close our school for the only time since 1966. We are spending this time improving the school, looking for new excursions and activities and are looking forward to re-opening in 2021.

2021
Our English School re-opens – what are you waiting for? Come and join us!
It was the best time of my life, thank you!
Thank you for everything! For me, Isca is more than a school it’s a second home. I met fantastic friends and I will never forget the amazing summer that I spent in Exeter. I hope that one day (like my mum) that my child can come to Isca
Dear Mr. Tomlinson, We want just thank you and all your staff for the wonderful staying of Benedetto in Exeter. He came back enthusiastic for the school, for the friends he met there, for the activities you organised for them and especially for your availability with the students. He had fun to see you every morning with a different mug of tea at the entrance of the school! I hope Benedetto could come again next year to improve his English.