Val Hennessy
I am the founder and co-director of IH Bristol. I oversee operations at the school and forge links in the IH and IALC networks. I have been working in EFL since the mid-80s, which feels like a lifetime ago now. I moved to Bristol in the late 80s, almost by accident, but it really is such a great place to live that I fine myself still here decades later.
My job is very varied and can involve anything from answering general enquiries to giving a grammar masterclass. I would love to do more teaching - that is the reason I set up the school in the first place - but it is impossible to predict where in the business I will be needed on a weekly basis, so, when I have spare time, I give free lessons to our students who want to do something a bit different or have specific queries about English.
I run and dance to keep fit and to give my brain a break from thinking about work. I managed to find the time to do a half-marathon in October 2024. It is wonderful to have things to do which help you to focus your mind on something other than work. When I dance, dancing is all there is. It is like meditation in movement.
At the moment, both of our children work full-time at IH Bristol making us a truly family-run business. It is fun working together although we sometimes have to remind ourselves and eachother not to discuss work all the time.
When I am not working, I enjoy travelling and visiting new countries, meeting new people and learning about new cultures. I am learning to play the cello but not making a whole lot of progress! But learning is a reward in itself and the only person who has to listen to me play is my husband.
