Who we are
Our story began in 1953 when John Haycraft (CBE) and his wife Brita Haycraft started a school, because they believed in intercultural understanding through language learning. We have continued their mission and changed people’s lives through language for over 65 years.
International House London is a charitable education trust and we reinvest profits to improve your child’s learning experience.
Our accreditation
Our Young Learner centres and courses are accredited by the British Council. The British Council assess the standards of management, resources and premises, teaching, welfare, and safeguarding under 18s, and we met the criteria in all areas.
The British Council noted particular strengths in the areas of strategic and quality management, staff management, student administration, premises and facilities, learning resources, course design, care of students, leisure opportunities, and safeguarding under 18s.
Support for our young learner centres
Our young learner teams are supported by our head office and adult school in London, which is the no.1 year-round language school with the best value courses in central London, rated by the EL Gazette and based on British Council inspections. IH London teaches across the full learning journey, with staff who know what success looks like at every stage.
Small class sizes
Maximum of 15 students per class for English lessons. 20 students per class for Future Leaders courses.
24/7 Support and supervision
We have a 1:5 staff to student ratio for 8-11 year olds and a 1:8 staff to student ratio for 12-17 year olds at all our young learner centres. All lessons, activities, meal times and accommodation are on site. Study trips are all in groups with IH London staff. Our student care is an area of strength in the latest British Council inspection.
Video tours
Our young learner centres each have a video tour, so you can have a look around before you decide on the centre for your child. Edinburgh, and Oxford. (Frensham is a newer centre, so doesn’t have a video yet.)
Celebrating Diversity
Diversity is celebrated at International House London and we treat everybody fairly and equally. In 2019, we welcomed students from 44 countries on our young learner courses. We also aim to attract a diverse community of staff from a broad range of backgrounds, demographics and cultures, and create an inclusive environment in which everyone can succeed.
All-inclusive courses
- All tuition
- All class materials
- All activities
- Full and half day trips to exciting destinations
- Evening activities organised and supervised by IH staff at the school
- On-site residential accommodation at the school
- All meals
- Regular drinks and snacks
- 24/7 support and supervision by our on-site IH team
- Free Wi-Fi access
- Comprehensive travel insurance
- (London courses at our adult school are run a little differently. Find out more)
