Previous learning trips · China 2025
East Hampshire educator delegation · 28 March–5 April 2025
Teachers and school leaders from five East Hampshire schools travelled to Beijing and Shandong to explore school life, exchange teaching ideas and develop relationships with Chinese colleagues. Through classroom experiences, professional conversations and cultural exploration, participants discovered shared challenges—and returned with fresh perspectives on their own practice.
Together with our hosts in Qingdao during the March–April 2025 delegation.
Watch participants reflect on their school visits, cultural experiences and the welcome they received during the China 2025 delegation.
“It is an unbelievable, once in a lifetime trip that I would highly recommend.”
James Collins · Crookhorn College
“This was such an amazing opportunity that has helped me to really think about my own teaching and the English education system, as well as what we experienced in China.”
Cheryl Sarkar · Horndean Technology College
“The hospitality from the schools and staff was first class.”
Nathan Radbone · The Hayling College
Learning in action
The delegation brought together colleagues from Crookhorn College, Horndean Technology College, The Hayling College, Park Community School and Warblington School.
School visits took place from 31 March to 3 April. Delegates travelled in smaller groups, following different programmes in Beijing and across Shandong, including Jinan, Qingdao, Weifang and Qingzhou. This created opportunities to explore a range of school settings, observe lessons and discuss curriculum, teaching and school leadership.
“We were able to have so many conversations discussing the challenges in teaching young people, and it was reassuring to find that teachers so far away face many of the same challenges that we do here in England!”
Cheryl Sarkar · Horndean Technology College
Delegates and their hosts outside a school in Beijing during the 2025 visit.
Meeting pupils and building connections during the school visit.
The experience
The Beijing programme included visits to several schools across the city. Campus tours and lesson observations sat alongside conversations with teachers and students about learning and future exchanges.
Different groups visited schools in Jinan, Qingdao, Weifang and Qingzhou, exploring a range of school settings across Shandong.
Participants did more than observe. Jonathan Hamer of Horndean Technology College described teaching a class at a school in Jinan as a highlight. Cheryl Sarkar, also of Horndean Technology College, reflected on delivering a History lesson at another school in Jinan—an experience that took her beyond her comfort zone and stayed with her.
Inside a lesson at a school in Jinan — a short clip from the visit.
A glimpse of fencing at a school in Jinan.
The itinerary combined professional learning with visits to the Forbidden City, the Confucius Temple and Imperial College Museum, Daming Lake and Baotu Spring, with Qingzhou Museum included for the Qingzhou groups. Participants also highlighted their Great Wall visit as an unforgettable part of the trip.
Joining students in school activities
Learning through cultural exchange
School partnership conversations in Beijing
A shared moment on the journey to the Great Wall.
Time to explore the Great Wall and its surroundings.
Exploring Beijing beyond the school visits.
A view of the Forbidden City beside the moat.
Bringing learning home
Feedback highlighted the value of seeing familiar educational questions through a different lens: how to build students’ pride in their school, encourage independent learning and help young people develop confidence.
Tina Hopkins of The Hayling College highlighted the importance of students taking pride in their school and using oral rehearsal to develop learning. Jonathan Hamer of Horndean Technology College valued the opportunity to see how education can be taught in different ways.
Cheryl Sarkar of Horndean Technology College valued the connections formed with colleagues from neighbouring UK schools as well as the professional conversations in China. The visit offered space to compare experiences and strengthen relationships closer to home.
Professional conversations explored opportunities for future school partnerships, online projects and staff and student exchanges. Participants returned keen to continue the connections they had made.
Taking part in classroom activities alongside pupils during the school visits.
Sharing calligraphy and cultural experiences during the school visit.
In their words
“Our Global School Exchanges guide was a key part to the success of this trip, she was always on hand to answer any question.”
Tom Chate · Warblington School
“I feel that our Global School Exchanges guide was excellent. She was so knowledgeable and organised that it made the experience so much better.”
Julie Blitz · The Hayling College
Your next learning experience
Explore GSE’s educator learning trips or speak to our team about opportunities for your school. For another perspective, discover the India 2025 school leadership visit.
Explore the India case study Explore educator learning trips Talk to our team