The historic St Bees School welcomed Copeland’s Conservative Parliamentary candidate, Trudy Harrison, and two Chinese government officials from Pudong New District, Shanghai, to its premises to discuss opportunities for educational exchange via summer programmes, teacher training and the exchange of
teaching staff.
“We are delighted to be able to host government officials from Shanghai here at the school. St Bees/Full Circle is forging links between international education powerhouses and Copeland. We are aiming to bring the best of international education to Copeland and to offer our local students outstanding global opportunities,” said Laurence Gribble, deputy head, St Bees School.
Trudy Harrison said: “It is always a pleasure to visit St Bees to see the school growing and developing with new ideas and partnerships. The fusion curriculum combining renowned eastern academic success with western creativity, problem-solving and resilience is a game changing concept for education world-wide.”
“The leadership team at St Bees School has created a high-quality teaching environment which feels nurturing and really ambitious. I wish the school every success and look forward to keeping up with progress."
Gao Debiao, Deputy Party Secretary of the Standing Committee of the People's Congress of Pudong New Area, said: “There are many strengths in the education systems of both China and the UK. We have much to learn from each other for the benefit of all our students.
“St Bees is a very beautiful school in a wonderful environment. The fresh air, open space and safe setting is great for students’ education.” Mr Gao represents one of the largest areas in China, China’s Pudong New Area, with over 5 million people.
The officials visited the campus, observed classes and enjoyed being shown the beautiful area of St Bees. Roger Sinnett, headmaster for St Bees School, who has spent close to 15 years leading British schools in China told visitors that St Bees was an ideal place for children to grow-up and learn. The small class sizes, safe and quiet environment and outstanding beauty of the area all contributed to a uniquely encouraging learning experience.
The visit comes after St. Bees School recently opened two new two offspring schools in China – a primary school in Schijazhuang in the Hebei Province and a high school in Dongguan in the Guangdong Province – both of which will take the iconic ‘St Bees’ name.
