The International House World Organisation has announced that one of its affiliate schools, International House Edinburgh, has ceased operation and initiated liquidation proceedings.
IHWO said that all enrolled students at the language school are being supported by English UK Student Emergency Support SES, with students being given places at new schools to finish their courses.
“Like many schools in our industry, the school (which offers both study abroad and local programs) struggled before and after the COVID-19 pandemic,” said IHWO in a statement.
“However, things looked hopeful in 2022 and at the end of that year, after passing a rigorous affiliation process, they became a member of the International House network… Despite the deep commitment of the team and their efforts to save the school, they could not overcome their struggles, and the business will close its doors immediately.”
The language school was opened in 2005 by director Roland Becker, and the school achieved British Council accreditation five years later and successfully implemented EU-funded Leonardo da Vinci courses, which later became Erasmus+ teacher courses.
“It has been a pleasure and privilege to work with the whole IHWO team and to have been part of it, even if for a brief time,” said Becker.
“The same can be said for all my colleagues, friends, agents, clients and everyone else who has made this school a very special and precious place.”
“We are committed to ensuring that all IH Edinburgh students are supported,” said Emma Hoyle, managing director of IHWO.
“It is a tragedy to lose such a quality school and hardworking team from our network.”
It is a tragedy to lose such a quality school and hardworking team from our network
Emma Hoyle, International House World Organisation
International House has a network of 130+ privately owned and operated language schools worldwide. Since all IH schools are independently owned and managed companies, no other IH-affiliated schools are directly affected by this closure, the organisation clarified.
“However, as a network of colleagues, friends and partners, we are all united in our great sorrow and our thoughts are with those affected,” the company’s statement read.
