On 24 March 2019, the UK–China Culture & Education Exchange Centre welcomed a delegation of UK school leaders and education specialists to Chengdu for a programme of school visits, professional dialogue and cultural exchange. The visit brought British and Chinese educators together to share approaches to school leadership, observe classroom practice and build lasting school partnerships.

The five-member delegation included Philip Avery, Neil Pittaway, Anthony Markham, Mark Marande and Nicola Thickpenny. Their first day included visits to the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, Kuanzhai Alley and Jinli, providing an introduction to the city’s cultural heritage.

On 25 March, the delegation visited Chengdu Montpellier Primary School and Golden Apple Jincheng No. 1 Secondary School. Pupils led campus tours, introduced their schools and shared traditional arts, including Sichuan qingyin and Chinese paper-cutting. Classroom observations and discussions with teachers offered first-hand insights into teaching and learning. The visits also included the signing of school partnership agreements.

On 26 March, the delegation joined the inaugural Jinniu (CIC) International Education Exchange Week at Chengdu No. 20 Middle School. More than 240 education representatives, teachers and pupils attended a headteachers’ forum and demonstration lessons exploring UK and Chinese approaches to education. Discussions focused on building trust between families and schools, positive relationships and pupil achievement.

Neil Pittaway demonstrated how peer assessment could encourage active speaking, listening and thinking. Reflecting on the lessons, Philip Avery emphasised combining knowledge with its practical application and welcomed further exchange between British and Chinese educators.

Partnership agreements were signed between The Petersfield School and Chengdu Tiezhong Fuhe School, and between Bohunt School in Liphook and Chengdu No. 20 Middle School. The schools agreed to explore sharing educational resources, curriculum exchanges and reciprocal visits by teachers and pupils.

On 27 March, the delegation visited Chengdu Zongbei Middle School, where pupils spoke with the visitors, joined them in table tennis and demonstrated tai chi. That afternoon, the Primary School Affiliated to Sichuan University welcomed the delegation with a pupil-led tour in English and opportunities to experience pottery and Chinese painting lessons. Further school partnership agreements were signed during these visits.

The Chengdu programme strengthened professional connections and laid foundations for future pupil and teacher exchanges. Participants expressed a shared interest in developing pupil partnerships and continuing two-way cultural and educational exchange between the UK and China.

Project start: 24/03/2019

Chengdu activities reported: 24–27 March 2019