Internationella Engelska Skolan (IES), or the International English School is a Swedish corporation that consists of several Independent schools (or “free schools”). IES was founded in 1993.[1] by Barbara Bergström, an American by origin and a science teacher by profession. She is still the sole owner of the company and its working chairman. CEO is the Britt Peter John Fyles.
IES school are based on the idea of bilingual education, with up to half of the teaching in English, performed by native English speaking teachers recruited from Britain, USA, Canada, etc. Other vital elements are “tough love”-creating “a calm and secure work environment in which teachers can teach and students learn”- and “high academic expectations”. Restaurant type school lunches is also part of the concept. IES show results on the Swedish national tests far above average.
Currently, 2010-11, IES operates 17 schools in Sweden with 9 000 students, mainly middle schools (grades 4-9) in Enskede, Järfälla, Linköping, Örebro, Gävle, Bromma, Täby, Eskilstuna, Karlstad, Sundsvall, Jönköping, Nacka, Göteborg och Borås and 1 Sixth Form College (Södermalm in Stockholm). Education is paid for by the national voucher system. Public money goes to the school of choice. IES schools are certified by the National Schools Inspectorate. They are free of charge for the students. Students are admitted on a first come first served basis.
The company has a turnover of 680 million SEK (appr 60 million GBP) and 800 employed. Its head quarter is located in Täby north of Stockholm.