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The Bell Story

Bell was founded by Frank Bell, a University of Cambridge graduate, with a love of languages and a powerful vision.
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The Bell story

Frank’s inspiration came from his time as a prisoner of war during the Second World War. In the harsh conditions of the camp, he taught his fellow prisoners Spanish and French, a simple act of defiance that quickly led to the creation of a ‘secret university’, which taught a broad range of subjects.

After the war, Frank Bell returned to England. Reflecting on his experiences, he realised that the route to international co-operation and understanding lay in learning. This led him to open his first language school in Cambridge, which still operates today as Bell Cambridge.

Since then, Bell has grown from one prestigious English language school in Cambridge to an internationally recognised, high-quality education business with five other UK centres, and international hubs in Switzerland and China.

I am convinced more than ever that herein lies the greatest hope for the future of mankind. In the friendly co-operation that is found in study and in learning.

FRANK BELL (1990) “Undercover university”