A THREE-part television programme about Bohunt Academy pupils being taught the Chinese way has delivered surprising results.

After four weeks of attending ’Chinese School’ in a mixed ability class of 50 students, the Chinese teaching method came out on top.

Results were clear when pupils were sitting a head to head exam which involved the entire year group aged 13 to 14.

Bohunt head Neil Strowger, who admitted he hated losing, opened the results envelope with trepidation, only to discover the Chinese teaching method produced better results with pupils achieving nearly 68 per cent in maths, compared to Bohunt methods of nearly 55 per cent – a subject Bohunt prides itself in doing well.

Science results, another successful Bohunt subject, were similar and delivered nearly 58.5 per cent by the Chinese class and 50 per cent by the Bohunt class, while pupils learning Mandarin achieved more than 46 per cent with the Chinese – compared to just under 36.5 per cent with Bohunt’s teaching methods.

Mr Strowger admitted the results were “a bitter pill to swallow” and said Bohunt could benefit from a more disciplined teaching system.

He was also impressed with the respect Chinese children were taught to show their teachers.

Chinese teachers Li Aiyun, Yang Jun and Hailian Zou spent four weeks at the Liphook academy and called their four-week experience a “great journey” as well as a “challenge”.

They felt pupils individuality, character and critical thinking was greatly enhanced by the Bohunt teaching method.

The BBC2 TV programme Are British Children Tough Enough? Chinese School, showed a group of Bohunt students struggling to adapt to the rigid and disciplined Chinese teaching methods.

Motivational speeches by teachers and students, as well as daily flag raising, morning exercises and immersing in Oriental culture helped students to focus on the Chinese School.

But even the most rebellious pupils buckled down and embraced the challenges set for them each week, where they had to compete against their own classmates.

Despite doing their best, they felt they were never quite good enough.

Sports and PE is always very competitive and compulsory for Chinese school children.

PE plays a large part and a two-hour exam determined if a pupil would be able to move on to a better school.

Bohunt students had to compete in running, skipping, sit-ups and throwing a medicine ball which resulted in 24 passing and 26 failing the test.

The 12-hour school day from 7am to 7pm took its toll and pupils missed socialising with their peers or their families the most. But all students taking part described it as an experience they will never forget.