FARNHAM Sixth Form College was honoured to welcome 20 teachers from China who visited the college to engage with students and staff alike, in order to give them an insight into the schooling system in Britain.

Organised by the Universal Language Training scheme based in Woking, a group of teachers from various fields, such as geography and politics, embarked on a trip to the UK where they visited two primary schools, two secondary schools and two sixth form colleges.

The day proved to be extremely educational for the visitiors, who listend to a talk from head of learning, Katie Darlow, and the director of Farnham Sixth Form College, Dr Jason Jones. which not only gave them an insight into the wealth of history the college stands on, but also offered them information on the importance of sixth form colleges across the country.

Students, including members of the student management team, conducted tours around the college, including Morley Court the oldest building on the site, allowing the teachers to appreciate the importance the college has held in the area for centuries.

The students were greatly impressed by the visitors who showed a lot of enthusiasm to learn about them and how they view their college. Staff were as keen to impress the guests as the student body, with 11 of the teachers welcoming them into their lessons to observe different subjects varying from media studies to Government and politics.

Jerry O’Brien thought the experience was very beneficial and said “it was great to see their amazement at the students using blu-tac and spinning tops to explain electron sub-shells”.

Overall, the day was seen as a huge success for the college. The visiting teachers left impressed by the college, its staff and students are certain they will remember their trip visiting Surrey, following their return to China.

Elaine Stafford from the Universal Language Training centre said: “The teachers said the visit was one of the best of their UK tour so far. A very warm welcome was followed by an extremely informative talk, and a tour of the college by a group of students who were all impressive ambassadors for the college. The Chinese teachers felt they had been furnished with a set of stimulating, thought-provoking and creative ideas about education which they can return to Shanghai with.”

Written by Leila Mullan - English literature student