St Bees School pupils and teachers are setting off on an exciting educational journey to China.

Departing on Thursday, December 5, three teachers and ten students will board a flight to Beijing before transferring to Guangzhou, arriving at their first destination – St Bees Dongguan on Friday.

This trip is an exciting academic and cultural exchange, where students will visit three Chinese schools, all linked to St Bees School in Cumbria through the Full Circle Education Group. 

The visit marks the second exchange with the main sister school in Dongguan, alongside visits to schools in Huangguang and Shenzhen.

The trip also serves as a return exchange following the visit in July, when students from Huangguang Middle School travelled to St Bees in Cumbria.

Laurence Gribble, Assistant Head at St Bees School, shared his thoughts on the educational value of the trip saying: “This visit offers our students a fantastic opportunity to immerse themselves in a completely new world of education on the other side of the globe.

“They will have the chance to explore three types of schools, an international school, a state school, and a private school, each providing a unique perspective on education in China. 

“Through this experience, they will gain insight into both the similarities and differences compared to the Western educational system.

“Beyond academics, this trip is a cultural exploration, with visits to museums, local attractions and historical areas.

“It’s a wonderful chance for our students to engage with Chinese culture and further strengthen the bonds between our schools.”

During their stay in Dongguan, students will reside in the school’s dormitories for the first half of the trip.

For the second half, they will stay with host families in Shenzhen, allowing them to experience daily life in China from a local perspective.

In addition to the cultural experiences, students will engage in workshops on Chinese calligraphy and crafts, as well as enjoying traditional Chinese music and cuisine. 

The visit will provide valuable insights into the differences and similarities in education systems across the three types of schools they will be visiting.

At St Bees School in Cumbria, students experience a perfect blend of West and East, with Mandarin being the first language they study, providing them with a strong foundation to fully engage in these cultural exchanges.

“This exchange is a truly enriching experience for our students,” continued Mr Gribble. 

“It allows them to gain a deeper understanding of the world, learn about Chinese history and traditions.”

St Bees School is dedicated to offering global learning experiences that enrich its students’ understanding of different cultures and foster international relationships. 

This trip to Dongguan, Huangguang and Shenzhen further reinforces the school’s commitment to providing educational opportunities that go beyond the classroom and encourage global citizenship.

The students and teachers return on Thursday, December 19.