The Wimbledon School of English (WSE ) celebrated its 50th anniversary by inviting agents, schools, stakeholders, industry figures and even Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond to the impressive Oxo Tower in London. Around 150 guests were treated to live music, traditional fish and chips, beautiful sunset views over London and an inspiring speech by school Principal Jane Dancaster. “We are delighted to have been here for 50 years and are looking forward to being here for another 50,” she said.
WSE’s Sandro Saviolo and The London School of English’s Hauke Tallon toast the event
IALC’s Executive Director Jan Capper and President Celestine Rowland join Clare Gossage from The PIE
Amy Rogers from the British Council and WSE’s Kieran Hayde enjoying the party
Richard Day, English in Chester Loretta Corro, Obiettivo Lingua, John Duncan ELC Bristol and Clive Barrow, BEET Language Centre
WSE Principal Jane Dancaster and her daughter Emily Gunning, English UK London
CAE’s John Barnett, Andrew Edwards of LSI Portsmouth and Barbara Santuz, owner of Destinazione Lingue
Fiona Dunlop, Academic Director, WSE and Janelle Cooper, British Council
Maria Banaszak, LEC, Poland, Carolyn Blackmore, Quality English, and Christine Top, Top School, Spain
Saima Satti from IELTS and Michael Carrier from Cambridge English
WSE’s Principal Jane Dancaster thanked all her staff and support network
MP for Wimbledon Stephen Hammond congratulated the school on its success
Barbara Goodson, WSE staff David Alcazar, ex-student/staff Derek Goodson, ex-staff Sheila Housden, CEO of WSE Deborah Barden née Housden & Catherine Roa née Housden (the Housden family own WSE)
A live band kept guests entertained until the early hours
Judy Loren, Excel English Evgeni Govor, Meridian Group Anastassia Tsitskina, Baltic Council and Olga Govor, Meridian Group
Miki Harada from Ryugaku Journal in Japan and Clare Gossage The PIE
Krister Weidenheim, ESL, Katie Duncan from The PIE and John Duncan from ELC Bristol
Cathy Yarrow, WSE teacher and Sue Woollett, ex-teacher
Rasim Donmez, ex-student and staff Derek Goodson, ex-staff Tae Twomey, ex-student
Deborah Bardon, member of the Housden family (owners of the school) and Hariette Cahill, ex-teacher
Roger and Jeanette Briggs, Churchill Electrical