King Edward VI School

Meet the delegate

My name is Rosette Doxon, and I am the School Business Manager and International Coordinator at King Edward VI CEVC School. I was eager to take part in the China Leadership Delegation with Global School Alliance because our school has enjoyed a strong 17-year partnership with Shanghai Yangjing Juyuan Experimental School. After successfully securing Turing Scheme funding and being appointed Trip Leader for our upcoming visit with 24 students and 4 staff, I saw the delegation as an invaluable opportunity to complete a thorough risk assessment in advance.

Before travelling, I expected to gain practical insights into the local environment, schools, and logistics. The experience exceeded all expectations. It not only equipped me with the detailed knowledge needed to prepare safely and confidently for our 2026 visit, but also provided an unforgettable, inspiring insight into Chinese culture and education.

Key findings and observations

During the delegation, several key findings stood out to me. One of the most striking observations was the exceptionally high standard of student discipline and behaviour. Across all the schools we visited, students demonstrated a genuine passion for learning and a deep respect for their teachers.

My favourite lesson observation took place at our partner school, Shanghai Yangjing Juyuan Experimental School, where a Maths lesson with 48 students ran seamlessly. Every student participated actively, and there were no behavioural interruptions. The teacher maintained excellent control while also showing mutual respect—something that clearly contributed to the positive learning environment.

I was also surprised by how clean and orderly the school environments were. There was no litter anywhere—not only within the schools, but across the wider city. One major difference I noted was that students eat their lunch inside their classrooms and are responsible for tidying up afterwards. This routine promotes independence, responsibility, and pride in their learning spaces.

The school buildings were beautifully maintained, and it was evident that they were well funded, with high-quality facilities throughout. A notable similarity with UK practice was the use of detailed lesson observation forms, which mirrored the standards we use in our own school.

The innovative teaching practices were truly inspiring. The interactive smart boards were significantly larger than those typically found in UK classrooms and consisted of three integrated sections: a digital blackboard on one side that automatically transferred handwritten notes to the central smart screen, and a magnetic display panel on the other. This combination created a dynamic and highly visual learning experience. Additionally, all teachers used microphones, which eliminated the need to raise their voices and helped maintain calm, focused lessons.

Overall, the educational environments we visited were impressive, efficient, and deeply inspiring. The experience has given me valuable insights into practices that could greatly enrich our teaching and learning culture back home.

Professional growth and development

The China Leadership Delegation has had a significant impact on my professional development as both a School Business Manager and International Coordinator. Experiencing first-hand the outstanding technological resources used in Chinese schools has inspired me to seek future funding opportunities to enhance the technology available to our students and staff. The visit has broadened my vision of what is possible and strengthened my commitment to driving innovation within our school.

As the Trip Leader for our upcoming visit to China in May 2026, the delegation was invaluable. It enabled me to complete an in-depth and highly informed risk assessment, giving me a clear understanding of the locations, travel logistics, and cultural expectations. This experience has greatly increased my confidence—especially as I was the only support staff member in the group—and it has equipped me to reassure parents that their children will be safe, well supported, and in familiar surroundings when we travel next year.

The delegation also offered excellent networking opportunities. I developed new professional connections with colleagues across the UK education sector as well as meaningful friendships with our Chinese hosts. These relationships will continue to support our international work in the future.

On a personal level, the experience has deepened my appreciation for global citizenship and strengthened my passion for international education. I was so inspired by China’s culture and hospitality that I have begun learning Mandarin to further my understanding and connection with our partner school.

There are several practices I would love to bring back to King Edward VI CEVC School, including the impressive three-section smart boards and the innovative coding and robotics clubs we observed—subject to future funding. The delegation has truly broadened my perspective and has motivated me to enhance the global learning opportunities available to our students.

Thank you, Global School Alliance, for such a wonderful trip!

Strengthening the partnership

The China Leadership Delegation significantly strengthened the long-standing relationship between King Edward VI CEVC School and Shanghai Yangjing Juyuan Experimental School. By spending time together in person, our professional relationships grew deeper and more personal. I am now in regular contact with Janet, an English teacher at our partner school, and other colleagues from King Edward VI CEVC School also stay in touch with her frequently. I have also continued communication with Rebecca, which has further reinforced the warmth and trust between our schools.

This strengthened connection has already begun shaping our future collaboration. I am very much looking forward to organising their return visit next year, and the delegation has given me a clearer understanding of their school culture, expectations, and logistical needs—allowing us to plan a richer, more meaningful programme.

Looking ahead to our visit to China in May 2026, I believe the bond between our schools will deepen even further. Our students will have the opportunity to see their friends in their own learning environment, experience daily school life in Shanghai, and return home eager to share their insights with our wider school community. Experiences like this create lasting friendships and help build true global citizenship.

We are also developing a new joint project between our Maths and Geography departments and colleagues at Shanghai Yangjing Juyuan Experimental School. This emerging collaboration has the potential to create exciting cross-curricular learning opportunities and will undoubtedly bring our schools even closer together.

Overall, the delegation has strengthened communication, built professional trust, and laid the foundation for even greater collaboration and exchange in the years ahead.

Message to other school leaders

I would wholeheartedly recommend the Global School Alliance Leadership Delegation to China to school leaders across the UK. This experience offers an unparalleled opportunity to broaden your global perspective, deepen your understanding of international education, and witness innovative practice on a scale that is truly inspiring. My advice would be to approach the delegation with an open mind—you will return motivated, energised, and full of new ideas.

This experience offers an unparalleled opportunity to broaden your global perspective, deepen your understanding of international education, and witness innovative practice on a scale that is truly inspiring.

The technological advances, high-quality teaching, and exceptional learning environments we observed were remarkable and thought-provoking. Beyond the educational insights, the delegation also provides a valuable platform for networking with fellow leaders, enabling you to build supportive professional connections that continue long after the trip has ended.

China is a country that simply cannot be captured by description alone—it is enchanting, vibrant, and transformative. Experiencing it firsthand is something every school leader can benefit from, both professionally and personally.

Partnership with the Global School Alliance

Partnering with the Global School Alliance has significantly strengthened King Edward VI CEVC School’s international outlook and enhanced our whole-school approach to global citizenship. The support provided by the GSA has made preparations for our upcoming trip to China exceptionally smooth. Their team has guided us at every stage, using their strong connections and language expertise to help coordinate our itinerary and facilitate clear communication with our partner school.

Through GSA membership, our school has gained access to a wealth of high-quality global learning resources, including free assemblies, international opportunities, and professional networking. Achieving the Bronze Award and now working towards the Silver Award has helped us embed global themes more deeply within our curriculum and school culture.

GSA has also broadened our global engagement beyond China. Their network offers us the opportunity to establish new partnerships with schools in Spanish and French-speaking countries, directly supporting and enriching the languages taught at our school. This aligns perfectly with the feedback from our recent student survey, where pupils expressed a strong desire to build more international connections following the Shanghai 2025 visit.

Most importantly, partnering with the GSA has fostered meaningful cross-cultural understanding among both students and staff. It has encouraged curiosity, strengthened global awareness, and supported our wider mission to nurture confident, internationally minded young people. The guidance, resources, and global opportunities provided by the GSA have truly elevated our school’s global dimension and continue to inspire our community.