Our History 

​Sidmouth International School began with one woman, one home, and a belief that students learn best when they feel truly welcome and supported.

 

In the early 1970s, our founder Sheelagh Michelmore was working as an accommodation placement officer for a London language school, placing international students with host families each summer. After years of working with international students, Sheelagh saw how a caring environment and high academic standards could transform a student’s experience abroad.

 

Sheelagh had hosted students herself throughout her married life, and was deeply embedded in the local Sidmouth community as a doctor’s wife. Confident she could create something fantastic in Sidmouth, in 1976 she established Sidmouth International School. The school started as a small summer programme with a single office and rented classrooms, located in the heart of Sidmouth town on the beautiful coast of Devon. From the outset, the school was built on quality teaching and personal care. Sheelagh carefully balanced classes, ensured an optimum mix of students, and designed learning environments to support real progress.

 

As demand grew and grew, the school expanded into May Cottage in 1985. This was a defining milestone which established Sidmouth International School as a year-round institution and a full-time Director of Studies was appointed to maintain consistently high academic standards and student services.

 

Over the years, Sheelagh worked hard to build the school, travelling extensively – often on her own – to develop international partnerships and share her vision of education rooted in care and excellence. Sidmouth was at the heart of everything she did as she believed it was the ideal place for students to feel safe, focused and inspired to learn – a belief that continues to define the school today.

 

When Sheelagh retired in 2002, the school proudly remained family-owned, with her daughter Jane and son-in-law Darrell taking over its day-to-day running. Together, they have upheld the founder’s high standards while evolving programmes to meet the changing needs of modern international students.

 

Today, as Sidmouth International School celebrates its 50th anniversary, those founding principles remain unchanged: outstanding teaching, genuine care for every student, and a learning environment where quality always comes first.