EDUCATOR LEARNING TRIPS · CHINA · JANUARY 2026
Exploring school identity, classroom practice and international partnerships through GSE’s January 2026 senior leadership learning trip to China.
Shanghai · Jinhua · Zhongshan · Jiangmen · Zhuhai
Programme: 12–18 January 2026
In January 2026, Global School Exchanges brought UK school leaders to China for a programme of school visits, professional dialogue and partnership exploration. The itinerary connected Jinhua in Zhejiang province with schools in Guangdong, with Shanghai providing an introduction to the wider cultural setting.
Delegates explored school identity, classroom practice and future partnerships—and returned with fresh questions and ideas for their own schools.
Visiting British educators meeting pupils during a school visit.
A conversation between a visiting school leader and a pupil.
A classroom conversation during a school visit in Jinhua.
Exploring students’ work during the Jinhua school visit.
Based on four completed feedback responses. All four rated expectations and in-trip support 5/5; recommendation scores were 10, 10, 9 and 10.
The programme combined school-based learning with wider professional exchange. Its scheduled highlights included:
Jinhua
School visits and an academic forum, with leadership, curriculum and UK–China professional exchange on the programme.
Zhongshan and Jiangmen
Campus visits, leadership discussions and cultural activities.
Zhuhai
Classroom observation, introductions and partnership discussions.
Highlights drawn from the supplied itinerary, with photographs from the completed visit.
The Jinhua conference gave visiting educators a platform to share their approaches to teaching and school leadership with Chinese colleagues.
Sharing educational practice with colleagues at the Jinhua conference.
Exploring school life with local colleagues.
Learning alongside students during a cultural activity.
Visiting educators and their hosts together during the trip.
Student projects during a school visit in Zhuhai.
The January 2026 calligraphy session in Zhuhai.
Richard Cunningham highlighted schools’ pride in their history and community, and wanted to strengthen students’ sense of purpose. Mark Bamford identified celebrating success and sixth-form destinations as areas to develop.
Ian Clarke reported that the visit had already prompted discussions about the school day and curriculum. The different settings gave delegates practical questions to take home.
Thomas Mitchell reflected on precise questioning, sustained concentration and the care given to student progress in the lessons observed, alongside the balance between teacher-led learning and enquiry.
Richard also recognised similarities in the leadership challenges faced by British and Chinese schools—opening up valuable conversations across different contexts.
Sharing the work of British schools with Chinese colleagues.
Taking part in a hands-on cultural activity alongside students.
Exploring the campus with school hosts.
A welcome for the UK education delegation.
PARTICIPANT PERSPECTIVE
Richard Cunningham · January 2026 delegate
Ian Clarke identified schools visited during the trip as potentially aligned partners. Other delegates also expressed interest in future collaboration.
Staff learning, student exchanges and ongoing school-to-school dialogue offer ways to build on these connections. Future programmes depend on shared priorities, calendars and hosting capacity.
All four respondents selected global readiness as a potential contribution of school exchanges; three selected student aspiration and three selected staff professional development.
Sharing food and conversation with school hosts.
A group photograph with students and staff during a school visit.
Delegates asked for more reflection time, further classroom observation and a little more cultural exploration. Their feedback will inform the balance and focus of future programmes.
Explore GSE’s educator learning trips and the opportunities they offer for professional learning, school partnerships and future exchanges.
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