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  • Chinese New Year event attracts record crowds

    Worcester’s Chinese New Year event on 18 February attracted more than 1% of the local population with a record crowd that enjoyed a day of free cultural activities and entertainment to celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Dragon. The event was organised by the Worcestershire Chinese Association and educational charity, Engage with China. The event was hosted at the Museum of Royal Worcester and the Royal Porcelain Works, fittingly on the site of the original world-famous factory of Royal Worcester where porcelain, originally inspired by China, was produced in the city from the 1700s.

    The event’s highlights included an energetic performance of a traditional Dragon Dance by local troupe, Kuidetang Martial arts whose founder, James Rodriguez, said,  

    “It was a privilege to perform in front of our largest crowd ever!” 

    James Rodriguez, Kuidetang Martial Arts, Worcester

    Visitors were also privileged to hear world class musicians as they performed throughout the day, including virtuoso, Guo Yue on the flute and renowned soprano, Wang Chen, (who was honoured as 2023 Chinese Woman of the Year by UK Chinese Women Connect). Other young, local residents, including 5-year-old Chinese language learners and 19-year old Alice Brunker, also sang songs in mandarin.

    H-J Colston-Inge from Engage with China, an educational charity which builds China understanding in UK schools and who acted as Master of Ceremonies for the event, said that, 

    Total visitor numbers were counted as 1,438 on the day. That represents more than 1% of Worcester’s population – an incredible turn-out. Some people came from further afield including Kent, Farnborough and Birmingham. This is indicative of the fact that people are fascinated by China and drawn to experience something of its cultural offering. 

    H-J Colston-Inge, Director – Engage with China

    Frankie Tsang, Chairman of the Worcestershire Chinese Association (WCA), added,

    “This is the 25th year that WCA has organised the celebrations. We are grateful to the support of multiple partners, including Engage with China, the Bransford Trust, Christopher Whitehead Language College and the University of Worcester for making this a true community event enabling a record crowd to engage with China through a variety of activities ranging from calligraphy to tea tasting, martial arts, pottery and blow-painting.”

    Frankie Tsang, Chairman, Worcestershire Chinese Association

    In attendance was VIP, the Lord Lieutenant for Worcestershire, Mrs Beatrice Grant, who, having greeted the crowd by saying “hello” in mandarin, said that, 

    I really do believe that culture matters. It is part of this country’s DNA. Embracing cultural diversity is crucial for fostering a more interconnected and inclusive world

    Mrs Beatrice Grant, Lord Lieutenant for Worcestershire

    One local resident and local Councillor, Hannah Cooper, voiced her delight about the Chinese New Year activities.

    We came last year for the first time and my family have really enjoyed today – even more than last year; there was so much to do. Well done for creating such a successful family event – really wonderful!

    Hannah Cooper, Mum, local resident and local councillor

    H-J Colston-Inge was able to use the occasion to publicise a fully-funded A-level boarding school scholarship programme in China which the charity runs in partnership with Wycombe Abbey Schools.  “What better way to understand China and its culture than to go and study there?” added H-J. Applications are now open for up to 30 lucky pupils with interviews to take place in mid-April.

    To find out more and to apply: 

    Pioneers, ambassadors and global citizens of the future

    Thank you to photographers Lui’s Gallery and Simon Fall-Taylor.

  • Pioneers, ambassadors and global citizens of the future

    Become an Engage with China Scholar and benefit from two years fully-funded education at A-level through our partnership with Wycombe Abbey Schools in China. Discover some of the many opportunities awaiting a young person here

    Applications open for the 2024-26 cohort of Engage with China Scholars for young British pupils to study their A-levels in China. Based on the success of our first cohort which travelled to China in September last year, Engage with China is proud to announce that its partnership with Wycombe Abbey Schools in China is expanding to enable another 30 lucky students to enjoy a full cultural immersion in China from 2024-2026. Deadline for application has been extended until 25 March.

    Pioneers they have been // Ambassadors they are // Global citizens they will be

    Including return flights, a choice of 30+ A-level subjects, wrap-around extra curricular activities from sports to music to debating and cultural trips, this EwC Scholarship programme is a life-changing opportunity. The three school sites are in the famous cities of Nanjing and Hangzhou as well as in the new energy zone of Changzhou. All of the cities are within easy reach of Shanghai on China’s amazing high speed rail network.

    I wake up every morning with a smile on my face! Thank you for giving me my dream!

    Michael S, 2023 EwC Scholar

    Find out more about what a life-changing experience this scholarship programme from a recent video featuring our scholars in China. There is plenty of information in the brochure below to help you as you consider applying. Complete an application form to give yourself the chance to change your life! Interviews will take place in mid April. Departure to China at the end of August.

    NOTE: Please send a copy of the application submission by email to us via info@engagewithchina.org

    2024-02-02-engage-with-china-scholarships-for-2024_brochureDownload
    2024-03-19-ewc-sholarship-application-form-2024Download

    Good luck and we look forward to receiving your applications.

    Follow and like us on social media platforms to keep up to date about this and other opportunities. Invite us into a school you know today!

    If two years seems too long – why not consider joining one of our two summer camps in July 2024? This action-packed itinerary will delight curious young minds and build cultural and language skills, enhance STEM learning and build global perspectives. Find out more here. Use code HJ2024 to benefit from £50 off per pupil.

  • Building critical China expertise

    In a recent article in The Knowledge, Roy Truex, Assistant Professor at Princeton University’s Department of Politics, is quoted as saying, “the vast majority of PhD candidates for Chinese politics are Chinese themselves, and very few are American.” He continues,

    To compete with Beijing, “we must do more than invest in weapons and semiconductors. We must invest in understanding.”

    Roy Truex, quoted in The Washington Post

    Here at Engage with China we are proud to be ahead of the curve in the UK on doing just this. Since 2018, the mission of this charity is to educate young people in the UK about the relevance, rise, innovation, impact, influence and culture of China on the rest of the world through immersive, engaging and fun curriculum enrichment activities, mandarin language learning, summer camps and partnerships. 

    Through fresh knowledge & interactive programmes in the classroom pupils learn about China’s size, culture, modernisation and global links. It does this through China Challenge Days,’ annual, global Model United Nations climate-change Conference, cross-cultural initiatives and our EwC Scholarship Programme.

    Our inaugural cohort of British 16-year old scholars on our EwC Scholarship Programme at Wycombe Abbey School, Changzhou, China, is a critical part of our national infrastructure to attract creative thinkers, build ambassadors and develop global citizens who understand China.

    Whatever one’s opinion of China, it will undoubtedly have a huge impact on all our lives. EwC addresses a huge gap in China capabilities building a pipeline of future ambassadors who understand it better.

    EwC was founded in 2018 by two British educational entrepreneurs who have studied, worked and lived in China over the last 30+ years. To date, the charity has enabled more than 3,500 pupils across the UK to encounter China for themselves.

  • Consumerism=climate change?

    At the heart of our annual Good Cop Bad Cop Model UN Conference is negotiation around climate change, the biggest challenge of our times. Pupils aged 15-18 from 10 countries, including China, UK, Brazil, Dominica and Sri Lanka, will speak at our upcoming conference on 02 February 2024 from the perspective of another country whilst developing their understanding of the challenges and complexities, the consequences of (in)action and the clean-up required. Resolutions include those negotiated by national leaders and delegations at COP28 but also our own resolutions focusing on single use plastic, food waste and fast fashion. The idea that consumerism leads to climate change is likely to be at the heart of the discussion – and who should be responsible for the clean-up to a greater or lesser degree.

    Now in its 3rd year, our conference has become an annual fixture for many participating schools. Zooming in online from across multiple time zones, pupils come face to face with the realities and the human stories behind climate change.

    This student-led conference hones multiple skills from cross-cultural communication to presentation, listening, empathy, research and leadership. It also forces pupils to confront their own behaviour, prejudices and understanding of the world. Hearing from inspirational VIP speakers, they are also encouraged to think how they can bring about change and make a positive difference in the world. This year’s speakers include UK Ambassador to China, Dame Caroline Wilson and Minister Counsellor, Education at the Chinese Embassy in London, Mme Zhang Jin.

    Open to schools from the state and private sectors, this unique platform brings together a diversity of pupils and experiences.

    We look forward to welcoming back our Conference President, Theo Innes, and thank The Grange School, Cheshire, for being our Host School for the third year.

    See more about our previous conference here.

    Our Good Cop Bad Cop conference certainly captured the interest of the China Daily who covered the event. Read more

    Do get in touch if you or a school you know would be interested to participate in 2025.

  • Optimism in the air

    It may be windy, wet and gloomy at the start of 2024 but we are filled with optimism & hope for the year ahead as we continue to build engagement, opportunity & China literacy in the classroom. So why the optimism?

    Despite school budgetary constraints, covid catch-up & capacity issues in schools, multiple schools and 6th Form Colleges have already booked us in to deliver our curriculum enrichment China Challenge Days. These days will take pupils on cultural journeys enabling them to understand the impact of of China on the world today as well as encounter thousands of years of history from the technological advancements of the Shang dynasty; the rise of the Qin dynasty & the ‘Terracotta Emperor’ and the obsession with porcelain & tea in British society.

    Our third and largest, global ‘Good Cop Bad Cop’ Model UN conference takes place on 02/02 involving 350+ young people to discuss the climate crisis.

    Our first cohort of EwC Scholars have settled in brilliantly into boarding school life in China having been there already for six months. They have enjoyed cultural trips, taken part in Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, competed in fencing, public speaking and swimming competitions as well as rowing, playing basketball and music alongside their full-on academic classes.

    And that’s not all…. registrations are now open for the ‘Global Perspectives’ summer camps, July 2024 in China.

    Designed for curious, young minds who imagine a world beyond their experience, this camp will delight and inspire pupils as they discover China’s culture, history, language and tech advancement during an action-packed schedule at our partner school, Wycombe Abbey Changzhou. Use Code HJ2024 to ensure your special offer price.

    Keep checking the website for news of our EwC Scholarship application process for 2024-26 opening soon. This fully-funded scholarship will expand this year to enable an additional 30 British 16 year-old students (who will complete their GCSEs this summer) to study their A-levels in China. Interviews and selection will take place before Easter 2024.

    We wish all teachers & students a great start to the new term as they anticipate exam season. At a time when the world (& the weather) looks gloomy may the character traits of the Year of the Dragon to come, including confidence, energy & ambition, equip us all with greater understanding, cooperation & kindness, leading to better times to come.

    Happy New Year to you all! 新年快乐！万事如意

  • ‘GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES’ SUMMER CAMP IN CHINA

    Date options: 01 – 13 July 2024 or 15 – 27 July 2024

    Age groups: 8 – 17 years

    Building on our previous experience running enriching summer camps in the UK for Chinese children, we are now delighted to present a fabulous opportunity for young people to enjoy a ‘Global Perspectives’ camp in China in July 2024. Calling teachers, parents, grandparents and governors: please share these details to enable young people aged 8-17 to take advantage of the exceptional cultural and STEAM trips and activities on offer, enjoy immersive and engaging learning with bi-lingual teaching staff and leverage the excellent and modern on-site campus facilities for a multitude of sport and music options. Above all, ‘campers’ will enjoy a summer holiday building cultural bridges and opportunities and making friends for life with teenagers from around the world, including China. [Special discount through EwC, see below].

    The camp schedule has so much on offer to delight and inspire. From discovering Chinese tea culture, to learning mandarin, enjoying multiple sporting activities and visits to high tech zones, pupils will encounter many aspects of China’s modernisation, traditions and culture.

    Glbal-perspectives-camp-2024_ewc-20231215Download

    BOOK TODAY via the contact details in the brochure and remember to quote the code HJ2024 to secure your special discounted price through Engage with China. Do tell your friends about this opportunity and why not invite them to come along, too! Do let us know who is going so we can follow their excitement!

    Price: £2,275 excl. air fares, visa and airport transfers in the UK

    In 2023 we founded the Engage with China Scholarship Programme in partnership with Wycombe Abbey School, Changzhou. This is where the summer camps will take place, beside a lake and in this bustling ‘clean energy’ zone in Jiangsu Province. Situated within one hour of the metropolis of Shanghai by high speed rail, the school is within easy reach of other famous and historical cities including Suzhou, Hangzhou and Nanjing. Our scholars have settled in really well to their new life and are embracing all that the school has to offer them. You can read more about their life-changing story Golden Ticket opportunity here.

    “The school made my transition seamless. The exceptional teachers, engaging classes, and vibrant community welcomed me with open arms. Learning isn’t just about books; it’s a dynamic experience where active learning is happening. I’m so grateful for this opportunity to embrace a new world.“

    Michael S, EwC Scholar, 2023-2025

    Engage with China aims to build China literacy in UK schools. This summer camp enables young people to travel to China and discover it for themselves through an action-packed itinerary where they will make lifelong memories and friendship groups. Engage with China creates platforms to build cultural bridges; we encourage you to cross this one and open doors to a more global future.

    Want more? If you are GCSE student taking exams in the summer 2024, why not apply for our incredible fully-funded two year A level Engage with China Scholarship programme thanks to our partnership with Wycombe Abbey Schools in China? Applications close on Monday 18 March 2024.

  • Chinese Ambassador urges people to deal with China by understanding it better at China-UK ‘Dialogue’  

    The Chinese Ambassador, His Excellency Zheng Zeguang, was the guest speaker at a ‘Dialogue with the Ambassador’ charity fundraising dinner on 14 June joined by 100 guests from the Chinese and British communities and held at the Home Grown Club, Central London.

    It is rare to secure the most senior representative of the Chinese government in the UK – particularly when the event host is a small, independent educational charity called Engage with China (EwC). The event was timely in light of comments by Baroness Martha Lane Fox, entrepreneur business woman and President of the British Chambers of Commerce, whose article in The Times last week said, “China is key for all of us so wise up and don’t miss out!” The event also preceded the visit by US Secretary of State, Anthony Blinken, to Beijing this week which heralded a move to stabilise relations with China.

    A Director of EwC, ‘H-J’ Colston-Inge, is a Mandarin speaker. She was invited to meet President Xi Jinping during his State Visit to the UK in 2015. During her speech at the event, H-J said, “I dare you to be risk-takers. To be counter-cultural. To engage more with China.”

    The vision of EwC is to build a China-literate generation in the UK by sparking the imagination about the world’s second largest economy. As H-J says, “whether we like it or not, the fact is that China’s influence and impact is being felt everywhere.” H-J added that “At this Dialogue event, we provided a unique platform to uncover the human side of China-UK relations via a more informal chat with the Ambassador rather than a dry speech. The Ambassador was very responsive and personal in his responses. History is so often influenced by individuals and so the more engagement we can create that enables people to understand and appreciate different cultural nuances, the better prospects are for building positive dialogue and trust.” 

    She added, “we are committed to building competitive edge in schools, and to do this we need to build global awareness around China, despite the current geo-political backdrop. We believe that this will not only enrich the lives of our young people but also enable them to flourish in a future where China is increasingly significant.” 

    The event included a networking reception, speeches and an interview with the Ambassador. When asked by Co-Director, Theresa Booth, what one thing would Ambassador Zheng want a young person in the UK to know about China,” he answered,

    “First of all, thanks to Theresa and H-J at Engage with China. Your work is so touching. All diplomacy is about people. Tonight is about people and enabling us to talk together and where we can talk freely. Thank you for all you have done over all these years. Secondly, China is a country with a long history and a lot to be proud of. It is also full of challenges. The best way to deal with China is to learn more about China.”

    Ambassador Zheng Zeguang, Dialogue with the Ambassador event, 14 June 2023

    Recognising the importance of this event, sponsors included some of the biggest global corporate names. Diamond Sponsor for the event was Cranswick Plc, one of the largest British food-producing companies with annual revenues in excess of £1.4bn. Cranswick’s Chief Operating Office, Neil Willis said, “Cranswick have been exporting British pork to China since 2012, and we value the relationships we have built over the last 11 years.  We are proud to support this event and are keen to further develop our trade partnerships.”  Other sponsors included Savills, a global property company, Hurun Inc. which compiles the China Rich List, and FOSUN, a conglomerate.

    The Lord Green of Hurstpierpoint, former Group Chairman of HSBC, said a few words via a video link saying that “there is nothing more important in this day and age [than learning about China].” Other notable guests included The Rt. Hon. Sir Vince Cable, former Minister of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (and who is also a Patron of the charity), Robin Walker, MP for Worcester and a member of the Education Select Committee and Lewis Neal, Director for Economic Diplomacy at the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

    Jing Wei, whose clients include e-commerce giant Alibaba, is Managing Director of creative UK- China communication agency UK Sunshine Digital. She said that, “this ‘Dialogue with the Ambassador’ event was not only a charity event, but also one of this year’s great cultural exchange opportunities between China and the UK. At this event, business representatives from China and the UK gathered together to promote the mission of Engage with China; this was one of the best events in London this year.” Other sponsors included luxury watch winder heritage company Rapport London, Corbook, a B2B platform, the IoD City Branch and international law firm, Wedlake Bell LLP.

    Lili Zhang, Head of UK Asia Pacific Department, Savills, who attended the event said, “China is the world’s second largest economy and Savills UK looks forward to strengthening our connections with China.”

    EwC’s work is focussed mainly in primary and secondary schools. Mark Fenton, CEO of the Grammar Schools Heads’ Association said, “Schools & educators need to help youngsters to thrive in very uncertain conditions. China is a subject that, for many people, is in the “too difficult box.” In terms of helping youngsters understand how the world is going to be in the next 50 years, I think that China needs to be very much a part of that.”

    Co-Director, Theresa Booth, added, “Engage with China’s name reflects the fact that cultural engagement and dialogue is part of its mission. This event played an important part in that by enabling people to meet together, understand and appreciate different cultural nuances and thereby build better prospects for greater positive dialogue and trust.” 

    Thank you to our sponsors and supporters for enabling this event to take place and to build vital funds to expand the work of EwC in UK schools.

    To make a donation, please give generously via our JustGiving page:

  • Education enables dialogue with Chinese Ambassador

    Engage with China is excited to host a senior level networking dinner with Chinese Ambassador, Zheng Zeguang, on 24 May 2023 in Central London. The theme of the evening is building education and dialogue as a means of widening opportunities, trust and engagement between China and the UK.

    The emphasis of the evening will be to fundraise for the charity and many corporates, educators, government ministers and individuals from both the UK and China and from across industry sectors are jumping at the opportunity to sponsor and attend this rare opportunity to meet the Chinese Ambassador.

    Cranswick Plc, one of the largest British food producing companies and with annual revenues in excess of £1.4bn, will be a Diamond Sponsor. Spokesperson Neil Willis said, 

    Cranswick have been exporting British pork to China since 2012, and we value the relationships we have built over the last 11 years.  We are proud to support this event and are keen to further develop our trade partnerships.

    H-J Colston-Inge, Director of EwC and herself a Mandarin speaker, said,

    We are hosting this high-level event to fundraise for our charity. You can’t light a fire without a spark and this event is about highlighting the link between preparing young people for a China-centric future – and skills and creativity that will support business. My curiosity of and fascination with China was sparked as a teenager on my first visit there in 1985. China was another country back then and now its influence and impact is being felt everywhere.

    H-J added, “the current geo-political backdrop is unhelpful, however. We believe that this does not serve either of our countries well, nor help our young people to flourish in an increasingly China-centric world or for our economies to prosper.”

    The event is a fundraising dinner to enable the charity to reach another 2,000 pupils in schools across the UK by the end of the academic year 2024 and open their eyes to China, its impact, influence, innovations and opportunities. Recognising the importance of discovering more about China as an important aspect of education today, Gareth Doodes, CEO and Headmaster of the King’s School, Worcester and also Chair-Elect of the Society of Heads, said,

    The event hopes to raise £100k for the charity to develop new educational resources, reach an additional 2,000 UK pupils by the end of the academic year 2024, host its 3rd international, climate change Model UN conference and grow its core team. The event will be attended by 100 guests who will hear speeches from educator and historian, Sir Anthony Seldon. Guests will also be invited to bid in a silent auction for exclusive prize donations such as a Coronation Hamper from Fortnum & Mason’s, Rapport London, Tickets to this year’s Three Choirs Festival in Hereford, a stunning, glass laser etching by artist Katharine Dowson & a private tour of the Museum of Royal Worcester with tea served on Royal Worcester china.

    EwC is very grateful to all its sponsors including Wedlake Bell, UK Sunshine Digital, Corbook, FOSUN, Hurun UK, UKCIC and supporters Chopsticks Club and the IoD.

  • ‘Chopsticks Challenge’ unleashes competitive spirit

    Visitors to the fruit-themed Summer Fun Day at the Museum of Royal Worcester on Wednesday 17 August were delighted to compete in the ‘Chopsticks Challenge’ organised by Engage with China, one of the participating exhibitors. Concentration, dexterity, and calmness under pressure were three of the main skills required of visitors as they attempted to achieve the highest score of picking up and transferring raisins from one bowl to another.  People of all ages, including grandparents and children as young as six years old, gave it their best go, with some being taught how to use chopsticks for the very first time.

    Winner, George White, aged 12, (right)

    The winner in the young category, was George White, who goes to school in Worcester. His Mum, Lorraine said, “We all had a lovely time doing the activities. The ladies at the fruit sketching and Cheese tables were especially engaging with the children, which made all the difference.” Lucy Wicks, who teaches Chinese at Didcot Girls School in Oxfordshire, showed off her mastery by almost emptying the contents of her raisin bowl in the allotted 30 seconds. Her advantage was clear when she explained that, “I spent time in China observing how Chinese people eat and they can really shovel the food in efficiently. I learnt to copy that.”

    “Learning about China through an object as simple as chopsticks is an easy access point to learning about  China’s culture, history and its impact on the rest of the world. H-J Colston-Inge, who delivered the session, and Director of Engage with China,” said. “We teach young people in schools about how much we as a nation, have wanted from China over centuries – including tea, porcelain, chinoiserie – and how its innovation has inspired our culture, traditions, tastes and fashion. Being able to immerse the visitors, by virtue of being physically in the midst of the porcelain collection at the Museum, and to talk about our huge cultural links with China, is both compelling and fascinating. It’s a brilliant way to open eyes to a whole new world, build curiosity and creativity and to see how China has been a driver of that over many centuries.” 

    Other fruit-themed activities were on offer from Engage with China. Visitors learnt about motifs in Chinese art and their hidden symbolism as well as how to pronounce and write the Chinese characters, for the word ‘fruit.’ 

    Visitors tried out calligraphy for themselves surrounded by the porcelain collection

    “This calligraphy has been so wonderful and calming,” said Rachel Needham, an attentive grandmother giving her granddaughter a great day out. “It’s been so good for the adults, too.” 

    Visitors were also able to be develop their artistic skills making their own fruity books, learning from former Royal Worcester expert artist how to paint onto porcelain and playing with words and story with the Rhianna Levi, Poet Laureate. 

    Director, H-J Colston-Inge, teaches a young person how to use chopsticks

    Engage with China is delighted to be a new partner of the Museum of Royal Worcester to develop links and outreach both in the community and beyond.

  • Y8 China Challenge Days result in invitation to return

    “Shenzhen is 13 times the size of Birmingham,” recounted one bright pupil at the end of Day Two of our China Challenge Days delivered into Walkwood Church of England Middle School this week. This is perfectly true – but many people probably haven’t even heard of Shenzhen. In the space of 40 years, Shenzhen, a previously sleepy, undeveloped coastal area in southern China with a population the equivalent of Redditch in Worcestershire, has fast become a burgeoning metropolis boasting the accolade of being China’s Silicon Valley and one of the busiest container ports in the world. It is just one of the many examples of China’s development unprecedented in history that is manifest in 100s of new cities across China that have taken shape as part of China’s economic development over the last few decades. Alongside this economic growth, fuelled by western consumption and the desire for cheap goods made in China, the ‘Middle Kingdom – the translation from the Chinese name for itself – is a renewed national self-confidence that harks as far back as the ancient Silk Roads when China was very much a superpower and other nations desired its silk, porcelain and tea. 

    Pupils learn about Chinese characters through language de-coder game

    Some 2.5 years ago a conversation with Principal, Reverend Clive Leach, and H-J Colston-Inge, Director of Engage with China, an educational charity that builds China literacy in schools, culminated in an agreement about the importance of building global awareness in school through the lens of China. An invitation to deliver a Challenge Day to Y8 ensued but unfortunately the pandemic delayed the visit until Monday this week. 

    “There’s a real buzz in school today,” said Dani Timmins, Assistant Principal. “…It is three years since we have been able to invite in any outside speakers into school and we are really excited to engage our pupils with our new curriculum which will look at China.” For H-J and her colleague, Theresa Booth, at Engage with China, it was an equal delight to be able to bring China alive in the classroom and it was music to our ears to hear Ms Timmins agree with us that, “China is a global force and it is really important that children recognise this… if we can inspire their curiosity, then they will learn more as well.” 

    Two half day sessions were delivered to 170 pupils. Activities and content were wide-ranging and included mandarin language, role play about the environment in China and its commitment to renewables, the rise and fall and rise of China as a superpower and population size through an activity involving 60kgs of rice! “To be able to do an activity like this which the school could not resource, was fantastic!” said Mrs Timmins.  

    H-J Colston-Inge said, “since we went to China in the 1980s, my colleague Theresa and I, have spent a lifetime building China literacy and opportunity between China and the UK from the boardroom to the classroom. As China continues to develop, its impact and influence on the world only continues to grow. It seems to us that we do young people a dis-service if we do not build competitive edge by opening eyes to the second largest economy in the world and it is always a delight when pupils say they want to go to China – as one did today – having been involved in one of our China Days.”

    On summarising the learnings, one pupil, Lucas, highlighted that “190 languages are spoken in China” and another correctly noted that one in four people is Chinese. H-J continued that, “it is so encouraging to hear pupil recall about the learnings and to know that they have been engaged. Working with a big group can be tricky but the pupils were a delight and a credit to the school. The warm welcome, which began on arrival at the school gates from the Head himself, coupled with the positive atmosphere which permeated the whole school, were testament to the fruits of faith ethos there and it was a privilege to work with these pupils.” Feedback from pupils and staff has been positive. One teacher, who helped to facilitate remarked on the “great resources and very knowledgeable tutors who were excellent in engaging pupils.” The best news came at the end of Day Two when Mrs Timmins said,

    I want to invite Engage with China back in next year to teach our Year 7s and make this a regular feature of our school curriculum!

    加油 as they say in China! Bring it on!