CASE STUDY · EDUCATOR LEARNING TRIPS · CHINA
Global School Exchanges’
School Leadership Trip to China:
Ten Years On
Looking back at our October 2016 programme, bringing UK school leaders together with educators and hosts in China.
Chengdu · Kunming · Zibo · Beijing
Ten years of connecting school leaders
October 2026 marks ten years since Global School Exchanges’ school leadership trip to China. From 17–23 October 2016, the programme brought UK school leaders together with Chinese educators for conferences, school visits and cultural experiences. Led on the UK side by Tom Saunders, Managing Director of Global School Exchanges, who managed all UK delegates, the trip created opportunities to share practice and explore school partnerships.
The confirmed delegate list named ten school representatives from Bay House, Alexandra Park, Bitterne Park, Walsall Studio School, Queen Mary’s High School, Oakfield Academy, Lambeth Academy, Redbridge Community School and Talbot Primary.
Delegates and hosts at the Chengdu conference, October 2016.
A welcome from student volunteers during the Chengdu conference.
Conference delegates together in Chengdu, October 2016.
Cami Gui with delegates in Chengdu, October 2016. Ten years on, Cami continues to work alongside Tom Saunders at Global School Exchanges as our Director of Operations. Meet the GSE team.
Student volunteers supporting the Chengdu conference.
Chengdu
Our programme began in Chengdu, where the first conference brought school leaders together to share ideas and experience. Cami Gui helped set up the event, working with Tom Saunders and the wider preparation team. Their involvement behind the scenes helped bring the UK delegation and local hosts together.
Cami Gui helping prepare for the first conference of the trip in Chengdu.
The Chengdu conference preparation team at work. Tom Saunders and Cami Gui were both involved in the preparations.
Professional learning in practice
The programme included presentations and workshops covering:- School improvement and system leadership.
- Global citizenship and Chinese language learning.
- Creative teaching and thinking.
- Learning beyond the classroom.
- Connecting education with employers and real-world experience.
Professional exchange in a classroom setting.
Opening remarks at the 2016 summit.
A summit presentation.
The onward programme, 20 October 2016.
Kunming
As part of the Global School Exchanges programme, Tom Saunders and the team also ran a city conference in Kunming. School visits, classroom learning and activities with pupils and hosts gave delegates further opportunities to exchange ideas and experience school life in China.
Pupils taking part in a fan exercise during the Kunming programme.
A practical activity with pupils and hosts during the Kunming programme.
Classroom learning during the Kunming programme.
Delegates, hosts and pupils during the Kunming city conference programme, 21 October 2016.
A moment from the Kunming programme, October 2016.
Beijing
The onward programme included Kunming or Zibo on 20–21 October, with individual itineraries varying. In Beijing, Tom Saunders and Cami Gui accompanied the group of senior leaders from UK schools to the Great Wall as part of the trip.
Senior leaders from UK schools visiting the Great Wall as part of the October 2016 China trip, with Tom Saunders and Cami Gui on the left.
At the Great Wall, 22 October 2016, with Cami Gui and Tom Saunders in the centre.
Ten years on: connecting past and present
Looking back, the trip captures what Global School Exchanges programmes are about: bringing educators together, sharing professional experience and creating opportunities for schools to build international relationships.
The people behind the programme remain part of its story. Cami Gui continues to work alongside Tom Saunders at Global School Exchanges, now as our Director of Operations. Oaklyn, Agatha and Stephanie were also part of the team when the 2016 programme took place and remain part of the GSE team today. Ten years on, these longstanding working relationships continue to support our international learning programmes for schools. Meet the GSE team.
We would love to hear from those who joined the 2016 trip and share their memories.
Interested in a programme for your school? Explore our educator learning trips.