ABOUT US
Small community; big experiences.
We are an independent, family-and-friend-run English language school, located in a seaside community in Devon, on the South West coast of England. Established in 1976 and accredited by the British Council and recognised in the EL Gazette UK Language Centre Rankings for 2024–25, the school is proudly placed within the top 20% of British Council-accredited language centres in the UK. In 2026 we celebrated our 50th anniversary as a school, as well as our new chapter as Hello! Sidmouth.
Located in the charming town of Sidmouth, on the beautiful Jurassic coast and renowned heritage site, this area of outstanding natural beauty is just 20 km from the historic city of Exeter and within easy reach of Dartmoor, the traditional coastal town of Lyme Regis, and the historic cities of Bristol, Bath and Plymouth.
We are based in the heart of the town, just a short walk from the beach, with our main school building located in the beautiful May Cottage. This includes seven classrooms, alongside five additional classrooms connected by our wonderful courtyard.
We are open year-round for both long and short stays, offering a wide range of courses for students of all language levels, aged 14 and above. In addition to our core programmes, we also offer exciting speciality courses - including our English for Families package which comes with big discounts!
Our Young Learner department (8-13 years) offers Summer courses which enables students to combine learning English with having lots of fun!
We provide comfortable accommodation for all ages with carefully vetted homestays, as well as a convenient discounted travel assistance service and private transfers. These services ensure students enjoy a supportive, worry-free experience while studying in Sidmouth.
One of our most popular features is our dedicated Social Room for Teenagers and Young Adults - a welcoming space to relax, with FREE Wi-Fi. More information on this can be found here.
Group visits are welcome all year round - please contact us for more details on this.
Where is the School?
The school is located in the town centre, just a 5-minute walk from the seafront. It has 12 classrooms on-site for students of all age groups.
When is the School Open?
The main school office is open Monday - Friday from 8.30am - 5.00pm and is closed on weekends.
The school will be closed for Public Holidays on: 31st August, 25th & 28th December 2026 and 1st January, 26th & 29th March, 31st May, 30th August, 27th & 28th December 2027
No lesson time will be lost.
Please note, the school will also be closed from Monday 14th December 2026 - Monday 4th January 2027.
We differentiate our year with 2 seasons:
Discovery Season: courses that run during the Summer holidays, with more opportunities to connect with international peers, have adventures around the South West and discover the vibrancy of the town at its peak.
Immersive Season: courses that run throughout the calmer months, with personalised support in smaller classes and the opportunity to completely immerse in an English-speaking setting.
2027 Season Dates
Immersive Season -4th Jan - 17th December
Discovery Season - 19th June - 28th August
SAFEGUARDING
We take safeguarding of Children and Adults very seriously. All members of staff and hosts are DBS checked in line with British Council requirements. You can read our Safeguarding policy here
WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY ABOUT US
"Very quick responses to emails, a solution for every problem/question. Bus service from door to door – luxury!"
Anja from Germany
"I had a nice, lovely, interesting, beautiful… week in Sidmouth. It was fantastic! So I thank you, all the teachers and my lovely family. I’ll come back next year!"
Laura from Italy
"This is my seventh visit to the school! I started as a complete beginner and have now successfully achieved a B1 level. I love Sidmouth and would strongly recommend the school to students of any age and level."
Marcela from the Czech Republic
"I had the perfect host and I would stay with her again. Her cooking skills are excellent."
Seonaid from Switzerland
"It was Sophie's second summer in a row at Sidmouth International School — and it was amazing again! Everything is so well-organised, the activity program was refreshed, and it was great for her to reunite with familiar teachers and friends, as well as meet new ones. Our teen was fully engaged, happy, and surrounded by a friendly atmosphere. Her English skills improved quickly through constant communication. Even after the camp, the kids stay in touch. Truly a one-of-a-kind experience! Thank you for her unforgettable summer!"
Sophie's Mum from Russia