Four Carr Hill High School students are taking part in the school’s first foreign exchange programme with a school in China.
Four Chinese pupils aged 15 and 16 have come over 5,000 miles to stay with Carr Hill students’ families and attend the school for the chance to see what life is like as an English student. Each of the four Chinese pupils have been placed with a Carr Hill student for the duration of their three week stay. Carr Hill pupils will swap places with the Chinese students in June as they make the return trip to the Asian continent.
The Chinese students attend the Zhengzhou School in Henan Province and are all from the same class. Wang Ningzhi, Heng Guanyi, Zhang Jiakui and Zhang Ning have been given their own school timetable and are attending a mix of English, Science and Math lessons at Carr Hill along with the host students Elise Hall, Kate Edmondson, Michael Turner and Megan Plummer.
Head of Sixth Form, Paul Wallace and Director of Learning Bernie Taylor visited Zhengzou School last year to meet the staff and students having been approached by the school about a possible exchange. Following a successful trip staff from Zhengzou came to visit Carr Hill. Each school was impressed with the other and staff believed the exchange would be an excellent opportunity for both the Chinese and English students.
Many students at both schools put themselves forward for the exchange and staff selected those they felt would benefit most from the opportunity. Students wanted to take part in the exchange as it was a chance to experience a different way of life and being able to stay with a family meant that those taking part would be able to gain a true insight into a new culture.
Zhang Jiakui, who also goes by his English name of Tony, said: “The reason I decided to visit the UK was to get a good understanding of what it is like to live and study here. I may decide to come to university in the UK so this exchange is a good opportunity for me to experience the culture, lifestyle and education.”
Zhang Ning, also known as Kitty, is enjoying the facilities at Carr Hill. She said: “I am very impressed with the school, especially the different ways you can learn in lessons. I also enjoy having two days off a week as in China you study for six days a week.”
Wang Ningzhi, who also goes by the English name of Fred, is staying with Carr Hill student Elise Hall. Elise said: “My family and I are trying to show Fred as much as we can. As well as attending school we are also cooking him traditional English food, like roast dinner and have also been to our local chippy. There have also been trips to the Blackpool Pleasure Beach and Lake Windermere.”
Kate Edmondson is excited to be a part of the exchange and is looking forward to heading over to China in a few months. Kate said: “I’m so pleased to have the opportunity to be a part of Carr Hill’s first exchange programme and I can’t wait to head over to China. I’m looking forward to trying the foods, practicing the language and experiencing the school system. It really is a trip of a lifetime.”
The Chinese exchange students are also planning to take the English students to Beijing and the Great Wall of China during their time in China. The English students will also experience life in a Chinese school where lessons start at 6.30am and end at 10pm, with a one and a half hour time slot for an afternoon nap.
Paul Wallace said: “Carr Hill High School is delighted to be a part of this programme as it is an excellent opportunity for our students to learn about different cultures and develop life skills. As a school we are always looking for new ways to provide our students with alternative learning opportunities outside of the curriculum we offer.
“So far we have really enjoyed having the exchange students with us at Carr Hill and have found we are learning as much from them as they are from us. We look forward to traveling over to China in June and experiencing the Chinese way of life. As a school we hope that this exchange programme is something we can continue to offer our students for years to come.”
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