IES was established in 2002 in order to prepare its pupils to meet the challenges of the 21st Century as citizens of a united and democratic Europe and the world, who are aware of their rights and are open to all races and cultures.

The school aims to become an exemplary centre for teaching and learning, a school that sets and achieves world class standards in multilingual education. This is based on the school's Pastoral and Social Education programme, and on accreditation to international educational organisations. The school aims to provide each pupil with an excellent foundation for the further study of national programmes within the framework of the International Baccalaureate.