Links with Guangzhou, China

Helen Thorne, Assistant Head teacher at Chantry, and Tammy Denny, Head of Performing Arts, visited Gunagzhou 89 Middle School, China. The link between schools was made last year, when a visiting group of Chinese head teachers visited Ipswich, and spent some time in Chantry High School.

The two members of staff observed Music lessons, along with English and Humanities lessons in the Chinese school. Lessons were very different .The school has 2,500 students, and most classes have 50 pupils, and as a result, lessons tend to be teacher led. This contrasts strongly to learning and teaching at Chantry High School, where we encourage student centred learning, such as group work. Music lessons tended to be based on ‘music appreciation’, rather than ‘hands on learning’, and far fewer students in the school learned to play musical instruments.

Lessons in the school started at 7.30 am, and the school day finished at 5.15pm. This however, included a two hour lunch break, when staff and students could have a leisurely lunch and ‘take a nap’ – a common lunchtime event in Chinese schools!

All students wear school uniform – mainly tracksuits and trainers- and all have to take part in a whole school exercise session on the school field every morning at 10am!

Staff and students were very keen to see how English teachers delivered lessons – and we often had up to 30 Chinese staff observing our lessons.

The staff and students were amazingly friendly, and we hope to develop e-links between students from both schools. We are looking forward to hosting a visit from one of the Chinese teachers next year – and possibly consider student visits in the future.

‘ It was a wonderful  opportunity to experience the Chinese culture and education system’ said Tammy Denny’, I have come back with some truly exciting ideas that I am looking forward to sharing with staff and with my students’.