"No mountains or oceans is too far for those who share the same vision," Jinhua Zhihe Primary School

During the May half-term break 2025, Mr Bardouille (Headteacher) invited two Albion school governors to China. They had the privilege of visiting five primary schools and a school music concert. This visit was not only an opportunity to strengthen our international links but also to give our governors a deeper understanding of Albion’s vision for global partnership and how this enriches the educational experience of our pupils.

At Albion, we believe in preparing children today for tomorrow’s world. This philosophy is one that all the schools we visited share. Their commitment to inspiring young minds and fostering a global outlook mirrors our own values, and it was a privilege to see these ideals brought to life in such creative and impactful ways.

The hospitality received throughout the visit was nothing short of exceptional. Each school welcomed Albion delegates warmly and made the time there unforgettable.

Jinhua Zhihe Primary School

Jinbua Zhihe Primary School has only recently been built 2024 —completed in just one year—and is currently home to a single year group: Grade 7. The level of thought and care that had gone into the design of the school was immediately evident. We saw innovative learning spaces where children could harvest vegetables and use them in their own cooking lessons. The school featured a fully equipped kitchen large enough for a whole class of 50 children, with each workstation accommodating 5–7 students. Each group had its own monitor to watch the teacher model cooking techniques—truly blending practical learning with technology.

The school grounds also included a small farm, complete with goats, peacocks, pigeons, and other animals, which offered children opportunities to learn about responsibility, biology, and sustainability. We visited the beautiful peach yard, where children were joyfully picking ripe, sweet peaches—and we were lucky enough to taste them ourselves! We also participated in traditional paper cutting, which added a cultural and creative element to our visit. The entire experience reflected the school’s deep commitment to both education and the wellbeing of its pupils.

Jinhua Zhihe Primary School Overview: A Cradle of Tradition and Innovation   In Jinhua, there exists a group of schools named after eminent ancient sages. Jinhua Zhihe Primary School is named after the local luminary Zhang Zhihe. It is located by the Meixi River and is a key liklihood project in Jinua. The school inherits Zhang Zhihe's cultural heritage.   Based on 'poetic education' School running philosophy - 'Education is a poem' School running strategy - 'Filling childhood with poetry' School motto - 'Soaring with aspirations'

Jinhua Nanyuan Primary School

Jinhua Nanyuan Primary School  has seen an increase in personal wellbeing as we entered a class witnessing children completing the self massage on their eyes.

Spanning two campuses, it offered children a wealth of opportunities to develop not just academically, but creatively and emotionally. We were deeply moved by an orchestral performance that brought some of us to tears, followed by a choir whose harmonies and emotional delivery were so powerful that one of our governors was visibly moved. These moments were a powerful testament to the school’s focus on emotional development and the arts.

We also took part in a special activity in preparation for the Dragon Boat Festival, where we created herbal necklaces, an experience rich in tradition, symbolism, and hands-on learning. These activities gave us a deep appreciation for how the school blends modern education with cultural heritage.

Xinsi Road School - Changhe Campus

 Xinsi Road School had some of the most remarkable facilities we had seen and made the delegates overwhelmed by the brilliance of the children, particularly during their stage performances.

This visit coincided with the school's International Week celebrations, now in its second year, which this time focused on English. The children put on impressive performances and welcomed guests from neighbouring schools and the local authority. It was an honour for us to attend as UK representatives and witness such dedication to international understanding.

Governors participated in a few sessions including calligraphy.

 Yiwu Choucheng No.3 Primary School

 Yiwu Choucheng No.3 Primary School in Hangzhou

Binzhou - Bincheng

 Mr. Bardouille and the 2 governors arrived to a stunning, modern building with excellent facilities. They engaged in rich discussions about the curriculum, where Mr. Bardouille shared Albion’s vision and approach to learning. It was uplifting to find that this school, like the others, shared Albion’s commitment to inspiring and preparing children for the future.

 The visit coincided with Children’s Day, an international celebration. The school was alive with energy, stalls lined the grounds, children and famileis sold handmade crafts, and families took part in a range of activities. On stage, students performed everything from Peking Opera to contemporary music and dance. Their talent, confidence, and pride were on full display—a wonderful celebration of creativity and learning.

Throughout the week, our governors were able to see first-hand how Albion pupils had engaged during their previous visits to China—both earlier this year and in 2019. The strength of these partnerships was evident, as was the mutual respect and shared values between our schools.

The governors saw how highly the British education system is regarded by our Chinese counterparts, with many families aspiring for their children to one day study at world-renowned institutions like Cambridge or Oxford. At the same time, Albion is eager to learn from our Chinese partners, particularly in areas such as technology, artificial intelligence, educational philosophy, and cultural practices.

Strategically, our governors see these partnerships as hugely beneficial for Albion. They open up new opportunities for curriculum enrichment, international awareness among pupils, and professional development for staff. These experiences foster innovation, enhance global citizenship, and bring a fresh perspective to education at Albion.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to GlobalUKGateway for organising such an inspiring and professionally rewarding visit, and to each of the schools that welcomed usMr. Bardouille and the governors so warmly. These partnerships are already shaping the future of Albion, and we are excited for what lies ahead.

Sharing the adventures with our community

We believe not only did the 12 children visit China but the whole community. It is a once in a lifetime experience for your children to visit the other side of the world. Please click on the image below to read the extract from our April 2025 Newsletter.