How we measure and encourage success

Sustainability

If, at the end of the ten years of investment from the Foundation, the Swire Chinese Language Centres have become self-sustaining and continue to teach Mandarin to a high standard to an increasing number of pupils within the curriculum, this project will have built the foundations for its success.

It will then be for the schools, universities and, most importantly the students involved, to build on those foundations and ultimately help improve Britain’s engagement with China. This can only be achieved with the commitment and enthusiasm of school heads and their teams, together with the quality and passion of the teaching.

Collaboration and research

The Foundation encourages proactive collaboration across the network of its 12 centres, expecting teachers to visit other centres, to swap ideas, share resources and observe lessons. A conference for all participating centres is hosted annually.

As testament to the success of the collaboration that has developed to date, an action research programme has recently been launched where each centre is carrying out a specific research project. Collectively, we expect this to stimulate debate between teachers, policymakers and researchers and lead to the development of evidence-based best practice.

Whilst the Programme is not without challenge, we are encouraged by the progress made since its inception in 2016, with the engagement of our partner schools and universities and the energy and commitment of those involved, all working towards shared goals. We look forward to these exciting achievements continuing and the day when Mandarin Chinese will no longer be an unusual subject to be found in state schools.

You can download a copy of our most recent Annual Report and Accounts here.