In November and December 2006 a group of Chinese headteachers visited the UK to share good practice with some of the country’s most successful schools. The seven delegates on the first iNet China study tour came from a range of schools in Beijing and from the Beijing Municipal UNESCO Clubs Association.

The tour began at the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust’s (SSAT) national conference. By attending the event delegates gained a deeper understanding of the SSAT and the ‘by schools, for schools’ model of school improvement. Delegates were particularly impressed by Prime Minister Tony Blair’s conference address; he spoke of his support for teachers, his commitment to educational transformation, and his belief that the SSAT is an effective agency for bringing this about.

Following the national conference, delegates visited the following schools:

• Kingshurst City Technology College;
• Leigh City Technology College;
• Black Heath High School (junior department);
• The Millennium Primary School;
• Seven Kings High School.

These visits were an opportunity to find out more about the specialist schools system, and how specialisms are implemented and managed in schools. Delegates attended meetings with principals, presentations by headteachers, campus tours, classroom observations and a chance to talk to students. The interaction with students provided the delegates with a great deal to reflect on as it highlighted the importance of personalising learning. A particularly strong idea for the delegates to think about was the amount of freedom students are given in British schools.

Interestingly, the schools’ architecture received significant praise. While they weren’t as big or ‘fancy’ as new schools in China, the layout of the buildings showed great consideration for pupils’ individual personalities and needs. Other mutual interests explored included the value of video conferencing, online language courses between schools and international partnerships and projects.

Once back in China, the group discussed how a specialism model could be applied there, and how Chinese education policy might affect this. A steering group of Beijing principals will be set up to promote the specialism concept and other transformation practices.

The study tour was of great value to the group. It is hoped that this experience will support similar innovation, and the further development of iNet China.