International House World Organisation is delighted to announce a new affiliate school in Italy, IH Taranto. 

IH World is delighted to welcome this family-run centre into the IH network. Next year is the school’s 50-year golden anniversary which is a testament to their status in the community. They have a small team of support staff that are highly attentive and always available to students to assist them. 

“IH Taranto is a strong community school with a significant presence in the city,” noted Emma Hoyle, Managing Director of IH World. “With their enthusiasm for collaboration and community, we are in no doubt that they will be a wonderful addition to the IH network.”

Also known as The British School of Taranto, IH Taranto is a community school in a coastal city in Apulia, Southern Italy, not far from IH Lecce. The school is accredited as a Cambridge Exam Open Centre, as well as holding regional government accreditation. Like IH Reggio Calabria, it is also a member of International Association of British Schools of English group (AIBSE), a cultural body that brings together over 70 locations in Italy. 

“We're glad to celebrate our golden anniversary with this amazing self-gift,” commented Roberta Buono, School Owner and Director. “We are honoured to join such a well-known international group and can't wait to bring a bit of Taranto worldwide.”

Courses Offered 

IH Taranto offers a range of courses for young learners, teens, and adults. These include General English, Exam Preparation, and Business English courses, which are available both on-site and online. The school also provides language training at local state schools and runs government-funded courses for unemployed youth (18–29 years old). Additionally, IH Taranto teaches General English to teachers in state schools and IGCSE Physics, Biology and ESL courses at one of the most important Cambridge International High Schools in the city.

The City 

The city of Taranto has a modest population of 190,000 inhabitants, expanding to nearly 600,000 when taking the whole province into consideration. The school is located in a pleasant residential area, easily accessible from the city centre and nearby towns. 

The community has long trusted IH Taranto as one of the most recognised and respected language schools in the area. As a result, the school has developed strong ties with local families and continues to teach English to multiple generations. 

History 

The school has an intriguing history with the founder, Suzanne Marchington, arriving in the city in the 1970s from Toronto, Canada. She chose Taranto as a destination to compare it to her hometown of almost exactly the same name (“apart from just a letter”). Suzanne founded the school in 1975 when there was little interest in language learning. In 1992, Suzanne returned to Canada and passed the reins to Anna Ancona, who, along with her daughter Roberta, continues to manage the school today. 

“We are glad to say that the school is one of the most recognised, accredited and recommended language schools in the area,” reported Anna Ancona. “With a large, established team of staff and a family-run school atmosphere.” 

Why IH? 

When asked why they chose to affiliate with International House, the team at IH Taranto expressed their desire to be part of a global network that fosters collaboration and innovation.  

“We wish to become part of the big IH family in order to work with an international organisation that can give us the opportunity to exchange ideas and projects with colleagues from all over the world. Moreover, we really appreciate the importance given to teacher’s development and we would love to give our teachers the chance to get in touch with professionals based in other countries in order to share tips and materials. We have a great mix of nationalities within our team and I think this would be a great opportunity for them too.” 

Innovation 

The school is committed to innovation, a core value of the IH network. They have started a new society, ABC Digital School, that focuses on digital development for young learners and teens. There is a variety of courses such as Coding, IT, Electronics, etc. 

School Layout 

The school is housed in a private, four-story building that includes classrooms, offices, and a computer lab (where Cambridge exams are held). Part of the ground floor and the second-floor house the administrative offices, while the other floors are dedicated to teaching spaces. IH Taranto also has a private car park and a courtyard used for summer camps. The classrooms are well-equipped, as is the teacher staff room, creating a conducive learning environment for both students and staff. 

A Warm Welcome to the IH Network 

IH World Organisation is delighted to welcome this well-established and ambitious school into the network. They believe the IH Taranto team will bring valuable expertise with them and be a valuable asset to the IH network.