Writhlington School China Exchange

Writhlington School hosted students from Suzhou Foreign Language School for the second year running.  Nineteen students aged 12-14 and two teachers  arrived late on Tuesday evening for the start of a thirteen week visit to England.

They were welcomed to the school by Mr Mark Everett, Headteacher.

The visit is part of an exchange programme initiated by the Bath Suzhou Educational Partnership.  This is a voluntary partnership set up in 2010 which involves eight schools from this region, each having formal links with two schools in Suzhou.  The aim of the partnership (which is being formed with the assistance of the British Council) is to develop strong and sustainable educational links between schools in Bath and Suzhou New District.

The students are staying with families who volunteered to be part of the project.   The students attend one morning lesson with their Chinese teachers, for their other five lessons of the day they sit with their English counterparts in normal lessons at Writhlington.

The Chinese students go on an educational visit one day each week throughout their stay, and are going on a tour of the UK at half-term.

The China Link Co-ordinator at Writhlington School, said:  “Despite a long and tiring journey, the young Chinese students seem to have settled in very well.  They are all enthusiastic and very excited to be in England and keen to practise their English.  Students at Writhlington are very excited about meeting the guests and have been making them feel welcome.”

On Thursday 17 May 2012 Mr Cao Lunhua, Principal of Suzhou Foreign Language School, visited Writhlington School, together with Ms Zhang Tong, Vice-Principal; Ms Zhou Wei, Vice Director, Primary Section, Mr Wang Jiantao, Director of the Bath Suzhou Educational Partnership in Suzhou and Mr Richard Kemp, Director of the Bath Suzhou Education Partnership in England.  The visitors were welcomed into the school by Writhlington CCF Cadets.  Mr Cao Lunhua met with Mr Mark Everett, Headteacher of Writhlington and gifts were exchanged.  The visitors were given a tour of the school by Mr Mike Burr, Assistant Headteacher.  The staff were then treated to a Mandarin rap presentation by Writhlington students who are learning Mandarin and were given a presentation by their own students on their experiences of living in England over the last five weeks.  Five students and one teacher from Writhlington School will be visiting Suzhou Foreign Language School in October 2012.  The Chinese students are visiting England as part of a cultural exchange between the two schools and will be staying at Writhlington School until 15 July 2012.  They are participating in lessons with their English counterparts and experience a cultural trip one day a week.

Writhlington School will again be taking a group of up to 8 students to China for 10 days over October half term 2014.

This trip is open to any students who will be in years 10, 11 and 12 next year.

This is a really exciting opportunity to visit a country which is an eclectic mix of ultra-modern buildings and stereotypical Chinese pagodas and canals.  You will have an opportunity to spend time at Suzhou Foreign Language School and will participate in teaching lessons to Chinese students, and delivering a presentation at a World Heritage Conference.  There is also plenty of time for sight-seeing in Suzhou, Shanghai and Beijing, visiting the Oriental Pearl Tower and the Great Wall.

The cost of the trip will be approximately £1600, which will include flights, accommodation, entrance into attractions and most meals.

If you would like further details please email Mrs Clarke-Dodgson on [email protected]

The China Exchange Programme has been running at Writhlington for the past three years, and we are once again looking forward to hosting 20 Chinese students aged approximately 12 years, from Tuesday 22 April 2014 until Sunday 20 July 2014.

The students live with host families for the entire length of time, excluding Saturday – Saturday of May half term. They will stay with you and your family over weekends and we encourage families to let their student partake in their usual family routines and activities. The Chinese students attend school during the week with Writhlington students, with the exception of a weekly programme of trips to places of cultural interest.

Our experience has shown that hosting is usually a very enjoyable and rewarding experience for host families, and many of our families are still in regular contact with their Chinese student. There are opportunities for Writhlington students who have hosted a Chinese student to go to China in year 10.

There is an allowance of £130.00 per week to cover the cost of food, travel and entertaining your student.

If you would be interested in finding more out about this rewarding opportunity please contact the China Link Coordinator Rachel Clarke-Dodgson on [email protected].