Cranford Review 2015

Tianjin College of Commerce
In September 2014, we played host to a group of 10
students and 6 staff from our long-standing partner
college in China, the Tianjin College of Commerce.
This was their annual visit to Cranford, during which
they experienced school life as well some of the sights
and sounds of London, Oxford and Brighton. This link
goes from strength to strength and was reinforced by
the re-signing of the Partnership Agreement earlier
this year between the two institutions. In addition, one of their teachers, Ms Qi Wang stayed on at Cranford
to further develop her English skills as well as see how Cranford does outstanding teaching and learning. I
am delighted to announce that this coming October, a group of 37 year 12 Cranford students and 5 members of
staff will be flying to China to visit the new campus of the college, which is now located in the enormous Haihe
Education Park, in Tianjin, which houses all types of education institutions.
South Dong Chang Middle School, Shanghai
Once again at the end of June 2015, we welcomed a group of 14 students and 4 members of staff from our partner
school in Shanghai, the South Dong Chang Middle School. This relationship has flourished since Mr Prunty,
Executive Headteacher, first made contact with the school in March 2012. The students participated in the music
concert on the Wednesday evening, when the rain, rather kindly, held off. The group, as last year, visited Berkeley
Primary School and gave a wonderful assembly covering many aspects of music, dance and recital, from a Chinese
fan dance, a fusion music piece with a clarinet and traditional ocarina (xun, pronounced a little like soon) to full
western rock. The pupils at Berkeley were enchanted and welcomed the visit with
open arms. The Chinese students were able to visit Cranford and learn about the way
the school works as well as visit London, Oxford and Windsor. We look forward to
Cranford visiting Shanghai.
Matsumoto, Japan
In April 2015, a group of 32 students from Japan were with us for one day.
They were also buddied up with Cranford students from years 9 and 10.
Japan scores very well in the PISA ratings and as an outstanding school,
we are keen to learn from the best of their system, whilst sharing what
we do very well too.
The list goes on and on: visits from Finnish students and teachers came
to Cranford in May 2015, a group of Lithuanian teachers keen to learn
from us visited for a day, we have a new link with the Lebanon, which
focusses on Arabic, we have had a number of year 8 students involved
in webconferences with Russian students in Moscow and St Petersburg and we are always seeking ways that we
can enjoy international relations with a view to learning from each other.
Cranford, a truly international school.
Philip Dobison
(Assistant Head of School / International Relations))
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