Cheshire College – South & West has further strengthened its international connections by collaborating once again with Chongqing No.7 Secondary School, a highly regarded educational institution in China. This partnership delivered an enriching virtual cultural programme, offering students and staff an immersive experience in traditional Chinese arts and customs.
Through six interactive sessions hosted via Microsoft Teams, participants explored key aspects of Chinese culture, including paper cutting, traditional etiquette, and calligraphy. These live-streamed sessions were accessible in Cheshire College’s Learning Resource Centres and also made available for classroom use, ensuring a broad and engaging reach across the College community.
Reflecting on the success of the programme, Joanne Stewart, Participation and Learning Resource Manager at Cheshire College, said:
“The initiative has provided our students with a fantastic opportunity to connect with a different culture in an engaging and meaningful way. Seeing their enthusiasm for learning about Chinese traditions has been inspiring, and it reinforces the importance of global collaboration in education.”
The relationship between Cheshire College and Chongqing No.7 Secondary School dates back to 2019 when students and staff from China visited the College. Following the success of that visit, both institutions maintained close contact, leading to the creation of this virtual exchange programme.
Helen Nellist, Deputy Principal and Deputy CEO of Cheshire College, emphasised the importance of digital collaboration in education, stating:
“Leveraging digital platforms for international collaboration enables us to bring rich cultural experiences directly to our students. This programme demonstrates how technology can bridge global connections, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with Chongqing No.7 Secondary School.”
Participants at Cheshire College have shared positive feedback, describing the programme as enlightening and inspiring. Many students have expressed a newfound interest in Chinese arts and traditions, highlighting the impact of such cross-cultural initiatives.
As part of its ongoing commitment to global learning, Cheshire College continues to seek opportunities for international collaboration.
