Charles, Estrid, Alex & Carmen
Our history
ECHO was founded in 1989 by Charles and Estrid Cope, who wanted to create a school with a difference. Their aim was to offer the friendly, personal feeling of a home-stay but with a strong emphasis on learning and genuine achievement.
In its early years, the business was run entirely by Charles and Estrid. Charles, a Cambridge Masters graduate and ex-school teacher, helped students achieve their maximum potential with his innovative, strict yet compassionate approach. Estrid meanwhile, a trained chef and a wonderful listener, made sure everyone was well looked after. Between them they created an environment in which students would be happy relaxing as well as studying. Both excellent hosts, Charles and Estrid worked towards the enjoyment and success of everyone who came through ECHO's doors.
The school continued to expand throughout the 1990s. Estrid's son Chris, also a Cambridge graduate, joined as Director of Studies in 1993, bringing his top academic skills and EFL Diploma experience. With a friendly, modern approach to teaching as well as business, his enthusiasm and enterprise have been the key to the school's recent progress.
In 2007 Estrid decided to put ECHO's 20 year experience with teenagers to good use and offer courses during their Easter and Summer holidays. Now Estrid's other son Alex, who has his own schools in Spain but has also been involved in teaching at ECHO from the very beginning, has taken over as the new Director of Studies. With his wife Carmen, who looks after the pastoral side of the school, ECHO has a new and enthusiastic team to take the school forward.
Sadly, Charles died in 2001. Although he is very much missed by everyone, his school continues to go from strength to strength, never losing sight of the high standards of quality and care with which it was established. We have now celebrated 20 years of ECHO in his name.