Birkdale is forming an exciting and innovative partnership with a school in China.

The link up is being launched with a visit by 14 students and four staff from the Teensen International Education Centre in Nanchang. They have just arrived in Sheffield and will be here for the next four weeks experiencing a mixture of learning, culture and recreation.

The partnership was launched with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the two schools this morning (Tuesday, 18 September) at an event at Birkdale attended by pupils from Sheffield and Nanchang and the Acting Head Master of Birkdale, Mr Nicholas Pietrek, and Ms Zhang Yuqing, Principal of the Teensen International Education Centre.

A dinner will also be held to celebrate the relationship at Cutlers’ Hall attended by staff of both schools and representatives of the Chinese Consulate, Sheffield City Council, Sheffield University and Sheffield Confucius Institute.

Between now and their departure on 13 October, the Chinese students and staff will join special lessons at Birkdale as well as visiting some of Sheffield’s landmarks – such as the Rivelin Valley Trail, the University and Meadowhall. They will also travel further afield to Chatsworth House, the Lake District and Howarth.

It is hoped that around 20 Birkdale students will have the opportunity to take part in a return visit to China next year.

Mr Nicholas Pietrek, Acting Head Master of Birkdale School, said: “This is an exciting partnership between two schools who are 5,600 miles apart but share many common values and a commitment to developing pupils with an understanding of the global society in which we live.

“We support our pupils to realise their full potential and become those with influence in society in the future, both here in Sheffield and Nanchang and beyond. This link will hopefully be the start of a relationship that will bring our cities closer together and open up a world of opportunities for all our pupils. 

“Sheffield is at the forefront of the UK’s efforts to bring more investment from China and develop closer economic links. We are proud that we can play our part and this partnership aims to cement these links and ensure they continue for generations to come.”

The partnership comes following a visit to Nanchang earlier this year by Birkdale School’s Head of Modern Foreign Languages Mrs Kathryn Higham.

She believes the impact of the partnership should not be underestimated: “There can be no doubt that the growth of China both economically and culturally is one of the most important changes to our world today. We believe it is important that pupils at both Birkdale School and the Teensen International Education Centre can seize the opportunities this presents and build a lasting relationship. This partnership will allow that to happen and we are delighted to welcome our visitors from Nanchang to Sheffield to begin that journey.”

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