Lambeth leads the way in Partnership Links with China.
Lambeth has established educational and cultural links between its own school and Tianjin, China, with the aim of promoting cultural understanding, friendship, exchange of good practice and the improvement of teaching and learning.
The signing of the Area Schools Partnership Links agreement today at Lambeth Academy is the first step with the aim of promoting cultural understanding, friendship, exchange of good practice and the improvement of teaching and learning throughout Lambeth.
The seven delegates from China are very pleased to be be signing such an agreement for the benefit of pupils and teachers on both sides and are visiting schools and establishments within Lambeth.
Mr Guoliang Yan, Director, Tanggu Education Bureau, China stated:”The Area Schools Partnership Links has been in development for some time now and it is amazing to see it come through to fruition. I am truly amazed by the hard work and determination of our British partners at Lambeth Academy and for making our whole delegation welcome to the London borough of Lambeth, The Area Schools Partnership Links will be of huge benefit for all of our pupils and teachers in China and the UK.”
Mr Stephen Potter, Principal of Lambeth Academy said: “The Area Schools Partnership Links with China presents us with an opportunity to improve our record of school performance. The Area Schools Partnership Links Programme will play a crucial part in this.”
He explained: “Good practice and the improvement of teaching and learning are more relevant than ever at a time when people are being urged to be global citizens.”
It is envisioned that all the schools and colleges participating in these links will have shared values such as self-help, equality, honesty and social responsibility both in their teaching and in the curriculum.
Ms Debbie Jones, Executive Director, Children and Young People's Services, Lambeth Council, comments: "This is an amazing opportunity for the pupils and teachers of Lambeth and indeed China. I hope that we are able to see good progress with this Links Partnership and reap the rewards of all the hard work completed by both parties, for the benefit of our pupils.”
Ms Ennelyn Schmidt-Roberts, Assistant Principal (community) Lambeth Academy, commented: “Our close involvement in, and support for the establishment of the Area Schools Partnership Links yet again demonstrates the essential difference between what the vision was 10 years ago and the radical shift in our view of the world and our global communities, who can now cooperate and work together for the benefit or our pupils.”
Ms Hongye Wu, Director, COMAC International Consulting, London, which has worked to develop UK-China links schools network added: “We have been working in partnership with Lambeth Academy for five years. We both strongly believe that the adoption of the Area Schools Partnership Links in the education system will support community cohesion and educational achievement and will produce young people, who are more socially aware and capable of contributing to the well being of local communities both at home and at an international level.”
