The surge in British private schools opening in China
The pandemic has changed views within China of sending children home (or abroad) to complete their schooling and, as a result, there is a growing demand for high-quality international education within easy reach of home.”
Steve Allen, headteacher of Lady Eleanor Holles International School
The annual review of British Independent schools in China done by Venture Education uncovered interesting facts about the growth and strength of the market despite the coronavirus pandemic.
Venture Education supports UK education in China through research, projects and consultancy and the latest report includes mainland Chinese institutions that are partnered with British independent schools, excluding schools that advertise themselves as “British” or “British-style” schools.
There were 4 British Independent schools opened in China in 2019 and one would expect that with the hardship of 2020 the number will not increase but the reality is that 2020 saw the opening of 14 new schools.
The factors contributing to the growth include the growth of the Chinese middle class, the British schools to increase their revenue especially when international students cannot travel and join the educational institution programmes in the UK because of the pandemic. The local Chinese governments encourage the introduction of British school brands with the anticipation of an increase of the international image of the region.
The report states that 40 more new British independent schools are scheduled to open in China in the next few years.
Steve Allen, headteacher of Lady Eleanor Holles International School, in Foshan, China, said: “The pandemic has changed views within China of sending children home (or abroad) to complete their schooling and, as a result, there is a growing demand for high-quality international education within easy reach of home.”
He added that the school provided everything that a student could enjoy from boarding in the UK without having to travel. British education is valued by local families due to its academic quality and history.
Some of the British independent school brands operating in China have multiple schools across the country such as Harrow School and Dulwich College.
Amongst others are St Paul’s Girls’ School, King’s College School and Lady Eleanor Holles School Harrow School.
The school that has announced opening its first overseas school is Benenden School in Kent. The Headmistress Samantha Price said: “We have been looking at various options in recent years and this first project in China is a wonderful opportunity to establish a fantastic new school at the same time as generating, in time, revenue that will supplement the donations from our incredibly generous supporters to help us offer more bursaries here at Benenden.” The opening due date is in 2023 in South China.
The trend looks like more independent British schools will try to expand their programmes internationally.
