Worksop schools give warm welcome and 'inspirational experience' to Chinese students
Three schools in Worksop are celebrating after playing host to students and staff from Longcheng High School in Shenzhen, China, for five days.
Outwood Academy Portland, Outwood Academy Valley and Outwood Post 16 Centre Worksop welcomed the delegation on June 22 with a Welcome Ceremony held at Outwood Academy Valley.
The event kicked off with a reception and a student piano performance, after which official welcome addresses were delivered by Katy Bradford, deputy CEO at Outwood Grange Academies Trust, and community executive principal Carolyn Blundell, along with a keynote speech by Post 16 student Cameron Holt.
An exchange of gifts followed, with further musical numbers performed by students.
Throughout the week, the Chinese students were paired with local Post 16 buddies and student hosts.
The visitors were able to experience British education, by attending daily secondary and Post 16 lessons, exploring practical workshops, and joining after-school enrichment activities.
Reflecting on the long-term impact of the partnership, Carolyn Blundell said: “The visit proved to be quite an inspirational experience for both students and staff; the warmth with which our students welcomed the Chinese students was quite spectacular.
"At the end of the week, our Chinese guests were keen to remain with us, and their teachers shared that they had been profoundly positively impacted by their experience of the British education system, with some hoping to return to the UK to undertake their university studies.
"I do not doubt that the young people of Worksop and Shenzhen also made global connections for life.”
The memorable week concluded on Friday, June 26, with a closing ceremony that included the recital of a poem written by Worksop students, and a special musical performance from the Longcheng High School students, followed by a closing address from Outwood Academy Portland Principal Danielle Sheehan.
The exchange concluded with the presentation of certificates and gifts to celebrate the lasting bonds formed between Worksop and Shenzhen.
This immersive visit marks the first major milestone in an ongoing collaborative exchange programme facilitated alongside the Global School Alliance.
Looking ahead, the Outwood family of Schools has outlined plans for a reciprocal student trip in April 2027, which will see local Year 8 students travel to China for a multi-city cultural expedition and a first-hand immersion experience inside Chinese partner schools.