Co-educational boarding school Malvern College has struck a deal with authorities in Chengdu, China, setting it on course to open a sixth international school in seven years.
International Trade secretary Liam Fox witnessed the signing of the landmark agreement during his trade visit to China with UK prime minister Theresa May.
“The opening of schools overseas also supports the development of educational opportunities available for children in the UK”
The state-of-the-art campus is due to open in 2019 and will together with the College’s existing campus in Chengdu which opened in 2015, provide education for more than 1000 children from the age of 3 to eighteen.
Malvern College’s first international campus opened in the Chinese city of Qingdao in 2012.
September 2018 will see the opening of Malvern College Hong Kong, following on from Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong which opened in 2017.
The Worcestershire boarding school also has a campus in Cairo, Egypt.
Malvern’s schools in mainland China are predominantly attended by Chinese nationals, with around 35% of leavers going on to study at UK universities.
Malvern College headmaster Antony Clark said the deal would put them puts us right at the forefront of UK providers opening schools internationally.
“We are delighted to have this opportunity to further expand the Malvern College family of schools through this exciting development in Chengdu,” he said.
“We are proud of our record in providing a British-style independent education with its emphasis on the holistic development of pupils and a focus on values, whilst working closely with our international partners to adapt the educational provision to the needs of the local context.”
He added that Malvern College Chengdu would retain the values of a traditional Chinese education while helping pupils to adapt to a Western-style learning environment, and create a pathway to English-speaking universities around the world.
Malvern College’s director of International Schools Allan Walker added: “The success of these schools overseas has a direct positive impact on a wide range of UK manufacturers and suppliers ranging from examination boards, architects and engineers through to furniture and textbook suppliers.”
“The opening of schools overseas also supports the development of educational opportunities available for children in the UK, both through enhancing our facilities and by widening access.”
In January 2017 deals worth £550 million were struck by UK businesses as May launched an expansion of education programs in China.
