Ten years on: looking back at our 2016 UK–China exchange

TEN YEARS OF GLOBAL CONNECTIONSRevisiting our 2016 school leadership trip

Ten years on from Global School Exchanges’ October 2016 school leadership programme in China, I want to look back at the experiences we shared — and the people who helped make it possible.

The Global School Exchanges programme ran from 17–23 October 2016, with travel taking place around those dates. I coordinated the UK delegation, bringing school leaders together for a principals’ summit in Chengdu and a wider programme of school visits and cultural experiences in China.

Our delegate list included ten UK school representatives from nine schools. They included headteachers, principals, assistant heads, teachers and colleagues responsible for international learning.

Delegates, hosts and student volunteers at the Chengdu conference.

Meeting pupils during the 2016 school leadership programme.

Delegates and hosts together during the October 2016 visit.

SHARING PROFESSIONAL PRACTICELooking back at what we shared

Revisiting the programme today, I’m struck by how relevant its themes remain. School improvement, creative teaching, global citizenship and learning beyond the classroom are still central to conversations about what education can offer young people.

Susan Trigger of Bitterne Park School was scheduled to share an approach to school improvement and developing future headteachers. Dr Alison Bruton of Queen Mary’s High School explored system leadership in her planned session, while Ian Potter of Bay House focused on developing pupils’ identities as global citizens.

Other contributions examined Chinese language and culture, creative thinking, real-world learning and opportunities for pupils regardless of where they lived.

Delegates and hosts at the Kunming conference.

LEARNING BEYOND THE CONFERENCEA programme beyond the summit

The programme extended beyond Chengdu. Delegates had different onward itineraries, including Kunming or Zibo, with several scheduled to continue to Beijing.

The programme made room for campus visits, classroom observation and conversations with Chinese educators. Alongside formal presentations, there were opportunities to ask questions about everyday school life and explore what future collaboration might look like.

A practical activity with pupils during the Kunming visit.

Meeting school hosts during the Kunming programme.

A school welcome during the China programme.

THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE PROGRAMMEWhat this means to me, ten years on

For me, looking back is also a chance to reflect on the people behind Global School Exchanges. Our team still includes me, Tom Saunders, alongside Cami Gui, Oaklyn, Agatha, Stephanie and Sophie. It means a great deal that we continue to work together, bringing educators and schools together across borders. Meet the GSE team.

Oaklyn Li

Cami Gui

Stephanie Day

That continuity is an important part of our story. Sharing practice, asking questions and exploring opportunities for schools remain central to Global School Exchanges today. The photographs bring back moments from the 2016 trip, but I would also love to hear what stayed with the delegates in the years that followed.

If you were part of the 2016 programme, I would love to reconnect. What do you remember? Did a conversation, a school visit or an idea stay with you? Ten years on, your reflections would help us tell a fuller story of this exchange.

Explore the 2016 school leadership exchange case study, or discover GSE’s educator learning trips.

Tom Saunders

Managing Director
Global School Exchanges