Reepham High School, Norfolk

"The visit was a huge success and a very steep learning curve for me personally. It involved a mixture of meeting personnel in the school and forming professional relationships on which to build; spending time with the school's English department (both in school and out); seeing and learning about the school; learning about the Chinese education system, as well as seeing Qingdao and the surrounding area in order to develop an understanding of China and gain an insight into what a pupil visit might involve. Qingdao, which is on the Pacific coast, will act as host for the sailing events in the 2008 Olympic Games.

 

I flew from Norwich to Amsterdam, Amsterdam to Beijing, Beijing to Qingdao. The travel time was approximately 24 hours. The flight from Amsterdam to Beijing: 10 hours. The journey served not only to reinforce how far away China is, but to underline its vastness.

 

When I went I had little idea of what to expect. I found a country that is undergoing change at a rate that is surely unparalleled. In Qingdao the skyline resembles an American city skyline; I caught glimpses of old China but that is all they were.

 

The high level of foreign investment was striking. The sheer number of people was something that has left a large impression. When this is coupled with the nation's determination to develop, it is apparent why China will become the world's largest economy. The highlight of the trip was spending time with the people who were not just kind, but fun loving with a rich sense of humour. I have no doubt that we can do business. Indeed, Reepham High now has a partner Chinese school.

 

Throughout the trip I was treated as "an honoured guest". The school met my accommodation costs in a comfortable four star hotel. The level of hospitality was extremely generous throughout the visit.

 

Visiting headteachers need to be prepared for a high level of formality at times. I was very glad to have taken gifts to exchange and my first visit into the school required me to make a fifteen minute presentation on my school and why we are seeking a partner Chinese school.

 

But for the fact that throughout each day I was always accompanied by at least two members of their staff, language would have been a significant bar. A chauffeured school vehicle was made available to me each day and one of the accompanying members of staff was detailed to act as photographer.

 

The school I visited was in many ways modern: buildings were certainly modern but they were drab grey concrete with little display work to cheer them up.

 

There was an impressive amount of ICT equipment: computers and digital projectors proliferated. This provided a strong contrast to the toilets which were squalid, a factor that would need to be taken into consideration if a pupil visit was to be considered.

 

Qingdao number 15 Senior High School has recently changed status and is effectively a selective sixth form college. I did not know this before the visit. Their literature suggested 14-19. However, although Reepham is currently an 11-16 institution the difference in status should not prove an insurmountable bar to working together. We will be using English as the language to communicate and in reality it would prove hard to collaborate meaningfully with levels of language proficiency lower than those displayed by their 16 year olds. In any event Reepham High School has been identified by DfES as a high achieving Specialist College and is applying for 11-18 status.

 

Although one Chinese teacher, the teacher who had acted as their link with my school commands a very good standard of English, the standard of spoken English commanded by their teachers of English was not as high as that of teachers of English in European schools.

 

I believe that their training focused primarily on reading and writing so their oral and aural command of the language is relatively weak. They are aware of their need and are very keen to partner with a teacher for whom English is mother tongue- to this end the 18 members of their English department want to establish video conferencing with Reepham.

 

Unfortunately there was only a restricted opportunity to witness teaching as the academic year was drawing to a close and students were focused on exam preparation. The exam system is seen as critical: a grade system operates which only allows students to advance if they are successful.

 

The teaching I saw was extremely didactic. This was unsurprising given the fact that class size was 60+.

 

Students are exceptionally well disciplined and highly motivated. They are expected to work long and hard. They are required to be in school from 7.30 -5.30 and then to do a minimum of two hours homework.

 

Between lessons there is a break and I witnessed them all getting on silently either with private study or relaxation exercises even when no teacher was present. In their dealings with me students were careful to observe correct protocol: standing, bowing, applauding. I enjoyed visiting a student and his parents in their home. He is the member of a well off family, enjoying a very comfortable standard of living. Many students live in far less affluent conditions. There is an obvious lack of equality within Chinese society regarding standard of living.

 

In some ways one as left with an impression of an education system that we have moved beyond: large classes, didactic teaching, biology prep rooms resembling natural history museums because they are filled with wonderful specimens.

 

The curriculum in Qingdao is heavily skewed towards providing young people with an academic background that is directly relevant to the work place. There is a strong emphasis on the sciences and languages. Pupils receive eight 40 minute lessons of English a week in Qingdao.

 

There is a high level of attention to student physical wellbeing. Though the school's sports facilities are limited, physical education is compulsory for all. The school has a pharmacy attached to it that is free to pupils and staff. It dispenses both western and Chinese medicines.

 

I was surprised by the seemingly high level of autonomy under which the principal of the college operates. He controls the school budget to a degree that resembles the local management of schools in England. He determines staff gradings on the basis of performance and watches lessons both to help inform his decisions and to monitor performance.

 

Teachers' conditions of service are very different from those enjoyed in the UK: a six day week with days starting at 7.30 and going on until 5.30 plus an additional evening's duties. Although Chinese teachers do not deliver more lessons than their English counterparts they are required to remain on site. Is work being used as a form of social control?  Teachers are required to maintain good links with parents who come to school twice each term (there are two terms in the year) and as needed during the school day to meet their child's form tutor.

 

I was told a teacher's job has got harder over the last four years as students' behaviour has become more challenging. I did not see this but western influence is growing very fast and there might be a link. Teachers feel under pressure because the rigorous pupil exam system keeps their performance under constant scrutiny.

 

Teachers are required to spend a week each year going "on holiday" together. They visit another part of China, or travel abroad as a group and this is seen as part of their social education. Every week they receive citizenship lessons themselves. Clearly the state is determined to shape its workforce to a greater degree than in the west.

 

The presence of state is obvious in other ways: the school photographs with military personnel, presumably attached to the school, the Chinese flag displayed in every classroom. One of the key figures in the school (vice principal equivalent) is "the chairman of the party"- his function is to ensure union/ state policies are maintained. He took a direct interest in my visit.

 

The pride of the people in their nation is impressive. During the visit the emphasis on success and development was ever present.  The visits to successful companies were clearly enjoyed by my hosts as well as me and were seen as essential to understanding China.

 

Interestingly school: industry links seemed to be underdeveloped in some ways. For example, the concept of seeking industrial sponsorship seemed new to them. We will test the water by approaching Qingdao Brewery for support.

 

Sadly the Head of Qingdao No 15 Senior High has retired since my visit. We got on extremely well but he did not tell me of his retirement plans. I have been advised this will have been because in China his retirement would be viewed as a loss of status. His retirement explains the cancellation of the visit last May that he was due to make to England. There is a need to establish a new relationship at headteacher level and this will be critical to a successful partnership between the schools.

 

The Chinese teacher who takes their school's lead role in the partnership is on maternity leave from September 2006. Her baby is due in December. This is likely to act as a temporary brake even though she is keen to support our joint work from home.

 

The visit has excited me. The partnership is worthy of developing. An agreed action plan is attached. I have presented it to my staff as part of a presentation on my visit. If the British Council would like me to share this presentation on a wider basis then I am happy to do so.

 

Finally I would wish to thank the Council both for its support for the visit and for Reepham High School in its work as an International School Award holder."

Chris Hassell

Headteacher, Reepham High School.

 

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