The beginnings of the vocational schooling in Semily date back to 1884 when the first year of the Industrial Continuous School (Průmyslová škola pokračovací) started in the building of the General School located in the Komenský Square. From 1910 the School was known under the name of Continuous School of Trades (Živnostenská škola pokračovací). Back then, cabinet-makers, locksmiths and machinists, as well as seamstresses, tailors, and shoemakers were trained there. On September 3rd, 1934, first students came to a new building, in which the Principal office of the Integrated Secondary School is today. At the beginning of the WW2, the name of the School changed to School of Trades in Semily. Between 1943 and 1946 the name changed again, this time to the Vocational School (Učňovská škola).
After then, changes of the name still continued: to Basic Professional School between 1947 and 1952; and since 1952 to Professional Training School (Odborné učiliště), which existed until 1971. Then, the name changed to Vocational Training School. In 1981, the School was named Secondary Professional Building School.
In 1990 the school gained legal personality and in 1994 it became Integrated Secondary School by a decision of the Ministry of Economy, and included a Secondary Professional School and Secondary Vocational (Training) School (Střední odborné učiliště stavební).
Today's ISŠ offers a four-year construction-industry program in its Secondary Professional School, for which a new building was completed in 1992. The Secondary Vocational School offers the specialization programs for electricians, plumber, plumbers, carpenters, cabinet-makers, bricklayers and nursing services workers. Successful graduates of all these programs can continue in a two-year full-time Extension Study Program, completed with a Maturita-Leave examination.
The School is state-owned, well equipped to facilitate teaching both theoretical and vocational training courses. Pupils and students, who cannot commute daily, can find accommodation in our dormitory, with the possibility of full-board (all-day) dining.