Isca School of English
Information about Isca School of English
Opening hours
- sunday: (closed)
- monday: 9h-16:30
- tuesday: 9h-16:30
- wednesday: 9h-16:30
- thursday: 9h-16:30
- friday: 9h-16:30
- saturday: (closed)
The Isca School of English (established in 1966)is an accredited English Language School specialising in teenagers and a member of English UK. Based in Exeter, UK Isca is the Top Family-run British Council Accredited English Language Summer School ( Based on the EL Gazette's listing of the best British Council Accredited Schools). We welcome mainly individuals and small groups.
We offer the following English language courses:
Summer General English Summer Courses for Students (aged 14 -17)
Cambridge Preparation Exam Course for Cambridge B2 First (FCE) and C1 Advanced (CAE) for students (aged 15-17)
We also offer:
English Programmes for year round international groups
Your English Course, Your Adventure with Isca!
Our comment from StudyLanguages about Isca School of English:
Isca School of English, located in Exeter, has a rich history dating back to 1966. For nearly six decades, it has been a cherished hub for language learning, defined by its friendly, warm, and inclusive environment.
Students from around the globe, including many from France and other countries, have shared their wonderful experiences at Isca School:
- Excellent Family Environment: Many alumni describe the school as a 'second family,' highlighting the warm interactions and supportive atmosphere fostered by both teachers and host families.
- Quality Education: The knowledgeable teachers, who are native speakers, provide engaging lessons that make learning enjoyable. Parents have noted significant progress in their children's English skills and confidence.
- Diverse Activities: The school boasts an extensive program of recreational activities, excursions around the UK, and opportunities to experience local culture, which have received rave reviews from past students.
- Lasting Friendships: Numerous former students express that their time at Isca School has led to lifelong friendships and unforgettable memories.
While some former students have suggested a desire for more structured lesson plans or specific updates about the school's leadership over the years, the overwhelming feedback remains positive. Overall, Isca School of English is highly recommended for anyone looking to improve their English skills while enjoying a memorable, culturally rich experience.
Services
Isca School of English: Reviews
Fantastic experience: I was sent to study English at this school but the name was the International school of English but that was way back in 1987 and i was a teenger by then , maybe an 18 years old boy , Now am 57 years old grandfather , It was one of my greatest times with the school and my loving host family , I hope they are still a live , Love and peace to you all From State of Qatar . Saeed .
Hello Saeed,
It is very kind that you left us this review however there was another school called the international school next door to us. They closed and now run the nursery called munchkins. My grandparents started our school, “the isca school of English”, in 1966. This year will be our 60th year and I hope the teenagers who study with us all enjoy Exeter as much as you did. Have a very happy 2026!
Very best wishes,
Sarah Tomlinson
Fantastic experience: D-Dawg what a legend…
David will be happy thanks for this review
Fantastic experience: My son had a great time The school was well organized and the house family was very nice. Great experience Thanks
Thank you so much for leaving us a review . We really enjoyed welcoming him this summer.
Fantastic experience: My son was at Isca School for the second year this summer. he was very enthusiastic , found very well organized English lessons, wide activities programm. I strongly recommend this experience
Thank you
Fantastic experience: Inolvidable experiencia de nuestro hijo este verano. Programa muy completo de clases y actividades. Destacar las excursiones Gracias a todo el equipo de profesores y dirección Volvera
Thank you so much Elena . I’m so glad he had a good time. I will let the teachers know all their hard work has been so appreciated .
Fantastic experience: Una experiencia magnífica. Las personas que trabajan el centro son muy profesionales, los niños aprenden pasándolo bien. Las actividades organizadas son excelentes. Se juntan niños de nacionalidades diversas pero consiguen una muy buena integración. Muy recomendable.
Muchísimas gracias
Fantastic experience: Here in Toulouse we are delighted and proud to send our French young learners to ISCA in the summers to really improve their English and have the time of their lives!
Thank you so much for the review and so lovely to welcome your students !
Fantastic experience: I studied English at your school between 1978 and 1979, are the previous owners alive? Or did the owners of the school change? I want to visit one day, I had good memories. I was 20 years old at that time. I am now 65 years old.
Hi Ahmet,
You are always welcome to come and say hello. Sadly my grandparents Ron and Margery passed away (both at a good old age) but mum and dad (Richard and Jo) are still alive and well. I was born in 1978 and now run the school with my husband. Our son Jack loves the school and is looking forward to the summer and return of our students!
Many thanks for your very kind review
Best wishes to you and all of your family.
Sarah Tomlinson
Fantastic experience: I miei figli hanno passato qui bellissimi momenti. Il figlio più grande c’è stato 3 volte. Il più piccolo 2 volte. È una scuola molto sera. I ragazzi sono seguiti bene e sembra di essere in famiglia. Bellissima esperienza, da raccomandare a tutti
Dear Sara,
Thank you so much for this really kind review. Please send all our very best regards to all your family. We really enjoyed welcoming them here and hope that you are all well.
Many thanks and very best wishes,
Sarah
Fantastic experience: Un esperienza fantastica vissuta nel 2012, 3 settimane immersa in un ambiente familiare, con professori più che validi e attività veramente coinvolgenti. Un mix che mi ha dato la possibilità di migliorare il mio inglese in maniera esponenziale, con la dose giusta di divertimento! Thank you so much Isca School ❤️
Giada
Thank you so much for this review. I really appreciate it and I hope all is well with you!
Sarah
Fantastic experience: Been there in August 1986 A very good moment in my life, will never forget it! International encounters in a so pleasant mood all through the courses... The best products and life experiences are like good wine : they get better and better with time! ;-) Replying to your answer : A cup of tea??? OK, but then, there must be scones and clothed cream along side... ;-) BTW, my teachers were Lynn and Ann, IIRC, do you remember them? Fair and red haired, respectively... They made me discovering Southern Comfort drinking experience one unforgetting night...
Hi Denis,
I'm so glad you have great memories of being here and thank you so much for the review I really appreciate it. I hope to welcome you back for a chat and a cup of tea here in Exeter one day :)
Sarah Tomlinson
Cream tea? That goes without saying although my scones aren’t as good as mums yet
Fantastic experience: I've been to Isca school during 4 years from my 13th (2014) to my 16th (2017) ! It helped me so much to improve my english level and also to discover another culture by living in it during 3 weeks each time. Thank you a lot for that !
Dánae thank you so much for this review. It was always lovely welcoming you back and I hope you know you are always welcome! Please send my very best to all the family
Fantastic experience: Simply put, this school felt like a second family to me ! I also improved my English quite a lot !
Well you definitely gave me the feeling of what Jack will be like as a teenager so the feeling goes both ways! Don’t worry I am looking forward to it and it will be great if he is half as lovely! Thanks Raphael for such a fab review we really appreciate it ( dad is looking very emotional reading what everyone has written) and hope all is well with you.
All the best and hope to see you some day soon again,
Sarah
Fantastic experience: I’ve studied at isca in the summer of 2014 when I was just 14 and it was such an amazing experience! The teachers, the family who manages the school, the activities during the week, everything was so well thought, a well rounded experience. I really do treasure all my memories of that summer and I hope other people can experience what Isca has to offer!
Dear Luisa,
Thank you so much for writing such a lovely review for us. It has been great to read and see that the school has touched so many people’s lives. We really appreciate the time and hope all is well with you.
Thank you so much,
Sarah
Fantastic experience: I grew up near Isca school and our family hosted students from the school in our home. We made some good friends including some who we went on to visit in their home country. The Tomlinsons who run the school are a lovely family and it’s great to hear Sarah is now keeping the family business going!
Thanks Charlotte,
Hope your mum and dad and Tom and Rosie are well too. Thanks for the review our host families are such a huge part of what makes the school work for our students and I really appreciate it.
If you are back in Exeter and fancy hosting you know where to find me
Thanks,
Sarah
Fantastic experience: I went to Isca School of English for 5 summers in a row in my teenage years and I can’t even describe how wonderful that time was. Sarah Tomlinson and her family made us feel like home! The teachers were English native speakers from all around the world, which gave us (students) not only a great base to learn English but also amazing different perspectives of life! I will cherish these memories forever! Also, made some really good lifelong friends from many different countries! I can’t wait to visit Sarah and her parents soon again. Ps: I adore my host family, we’re still in touch! Thank you Barbara and Michael ❤️
Anna
Thank you so much. The years you came were probably my first summers working full time with mum and dad and such fun for us too! I’m glad you are still in touch with your family here in Exeter and look forward to seeing you again
Thanks so much
Sarah
Fantastic experience: Going for a summer course was literally the best decision of my life. Learning English, being immersed in a different culture, amongst other people my age, making it quite fun. Also the idea of staying with the local families, interacting with their children - I loved. I still love my host families. I went three times for a month (three consecutive years), making immense progress every time. I believe teachers at ISCA School have a way of making it relatively painless, but I did get a lot of satisfaction from studying. I also enjoyed some of the activities that involved interacting with people in the surrounding town. I highly recommend.
Ewa
Thank you so much for this kind review. We really enjoyed welcoming you here too! I hope that you will come back one day to visit us and enjoy some memories of your teenage years!
Wishing you all the very best and thanks again
Sarah
Fantastic experience: This is the best school ever.I was there 3 times. My first time was when I was 13 years old .Now I am 34. During 20 years in this school also studied my 2 younger brothers !I really want to say Thank you for experience that this school gave me.
Alex thank you so much for this review. I really appreciate it although it is worrying that you were here 20 years ago and to me it feels like last year that you were coming up the drive!
Please send my very best to all the family and hope you are all well
Sarah
Fantastic experience: I was a student at Isca School for several periods in the late 90's. Richard and Jo were the perfect hosts and the setting was perfect. The friendships made remain even after 30 years. My children will certainly be Sarah's guests as soon as they are of the right age
Dear Andrea,
I look forward to welcoming them! Mum and Dad have been overwhelmed by the very kind reviews.
They said to say it would be lovely to welcome you back if you are ever in the area
Fantastic experience: A stay at the Isca School of English was my first stay in England when I was a teenager in order to improve my English. As French, I know better than anyone the difficulties we face everyday to speak English, because of the judgment of other people and the French educational system is terribly bad. I found at Isca School what I needed : self-confidence. School, teachers, other students, the city and host family were amazing, bringing at the same time a safe space, support and everything you need to grow up and enjoy your adventure. I met people from all over the world there with whom I am still friends today and I have only good memories of my time at Isca. I highly recommend it :) Thanks for everything !
Thank you so much for this review. Mum and Dad are so overwhelmed by the kind things everyone is saying about the school that is out life’s’a work. We really appreciate you taking the time to leave such a wonderful
Review
Fantastic experience: I was a student here in 2009 and 2010. It was a great time, to be frank - one of the greatest I had as a teenager. I learned a lot, had a lot of fun and am still in contact with one friend I met there. The personell at the school is honest, full of knowledge and patience. I‘d love to come back but I‘m too old now I‘ll send my kids there one day - that‘s for sure. Thank you Mr. Tomlinson and family. It was a great time.
Thank you so much too for taking the time to write such a kind review. Dad is so happy to see all the kind words our past students are saying about how he made them feel.
I really look forward to welcoming your children one day and hope that you will come with them so that we can have a catch up too!
Thank you
Sarah
Fantastic experience: Very friendly, warm, inclusive environment, deep care about students, their wellbeing and progress in the studies. Achieved significant progress in language skills /flueny in speaking. Lots of fun programs. Last but not least: the family who provided accomodation was like a second family, kind and warm people, did evetything to feel at home.
Hi Erika,
Thank you for writing this lovely review. The school has always been about the people who come here and make it their home while they learn English. We are so pleased to welcome them here and reading the reviews everyone has been so kind to write has been so brilliant. Thank you and hope all is well with you
Sarah
Fantastic experience: I went twice few years back during summer time and was totally a lovely experience! First of all Exeter it’s a great town, easy to move around and perfect for exchange students. The two host families that I been with were amazing and caring with me, also the international students from another countries were so friendly. The school was great, lovely and with professional teachers ,we had dynamic lessons with different funny activities to learn + they did provide extra activities on the evenings such sports or entertainment activities and games that were very funny. The food was very good as well + some days we had bbq lunch in the school!! On the weekend they bring us to different destinations and tourist attractions around the UK which was lovely. Overall the experience was so cool I had so much fun both years, made a lot memories and a lot of friends, I would totally recommend to everyone to live the experience, I wish I’m younger again to go back again to Isca School !! Thomsons family were so lovely, hope to see you again soon! Loads of love, Jorge xx
Jorge
You are always welcome to pop in. Thank you you for leaving such a wonderful review. We really do appreciate it
Hope you are well and that we get to see you in the future again
Sarah
Fantastic experience: ISCA School of English has been one of the most brillant and exciting experience which has improved my english skills and above all It helped me to become more Independent on a human level. An great structure, very prepared and human teachers with good host families makes ISCA School an excellent opportunity for foreign students.
Hi Fabio,
Thank you so much I really appreciate your kind words about the school and hope you and your family are well
Hope to welcome you to Exeter again one day
Sarah
Fantastic experience: My stay at the ISCA school dates back a while to 2016, but I can only report positive things about my stay. The teachers are all very friendly and the school management cares lovingly for every single student. The barbecues at the school and the well-planned excursions remain unforgettable.
Hi Noel,
Thank you so much for this review. I really appreciate it and hopefully we will continue welcoming students and making sure they have these memories. I hope you are still in touch with some of the friends you made here. You are always welcome to pop back and see us.
Thanks again,
Sarah
Fantastic experience: Great school, excellent teachers, friendly environment. A boost for your English.
Thank you so much William. That's so nice to hear and I hope all is well with you. Many thanks again
Fantastic experience: I had the pleasure of attending the ISCA School of English for two summers (2004 and 2005). The Tomlinson’s makes students feel at home and they are always ready to help and support with anything. The teachers were always very knowledgeable and made the lessons enjoyable and fun without neglecting quality. The school offers countless recreational activities outside of class time.I still dream of the hamburgers grilled by Mr Tomlinson on Wednesdays for lunch! Best regards to all and especially Sarah
Francesco always so lovely! Thank you I know how busy you are. Please send my very best to your mum and dad and of course that lovely sister of yours! I look forward to seeing you all back in Exeter one day :)
Fantastic experience: Few years ago I had the opportunity to spend few weeks at Isca School. It was a great experience that won’t forget. I discovered amazing Poeple and I really improved my English skills. I recommend this experience !
Thank you so much Jeanne. Really appreciate this review and you taking the time to give it. I hope to welcome you back any time for a catch up and a cup of tea!
Fantastic experience: Was there in1976/1977 great experience great teachers met my husband there still together and have very fond memories of mr. Tomlinson Hope to visit someday
Hi Carole,
Thank you so much for the lovely review. It’s lovely to hear you have such nice memories of the school and great to know you and your husband are together and happy. Thank you again and I hope to meet you in. Exeter in the future! Sarah Tomlinson
Fantastic experience: I came to the school in march 79 when I was just 17 , it was an experience that I will cherish to the rest of my life. I loved the city and the school. I still remembered all my teachers and the English families who hosted me. It's just very special place for me.
Hi Jamal. Thank you so much for such a kind review. We really appreciate it and hope you will pop in to visit us if you are ever in Exeter.
Fantastic experience: top
Thank you Vincenzo
Fantastic experience: We have been hosts for the school for a couple of years and they have been fantastic to deal with and the student experience has been wonderful.
Thank you for the review - so kind!
Fantastic experience: Ok CVE
Hi Miguel
Thank you so much ! Really appreciate it and hope all is well with you
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