Malvern College’s newest international campus is set to become the first British school in China to teach all lessons outdoors for one day a week.
The move to integrate the Forest School ethos into the primary curriculum is in response to growing demand from Chinese parents for alternatives to an exam-driven system. It is also in keeping with Malvern’s holistic approach to education.
The announcement comes as the foundation stone for the College’s sixth international campus was unveiled in Chengdu this week by British Consul-General Cecille El Beleidi and Malvern College Headmaster Antony Clark. The school is set to open next year.
The Forest School movement, which originated in Scandinavia, aims to develop children’s independence and build skills in risk-taking, leadership and teamwork by getting them to spend extended periods outdoors.
Johnnie Kittermaster, Founding Head of Malvern College Chengdu Junior School, said: ‘This will be one of the first schools to introduce the Forest School concept to China. Classes will spend one whole day in the countryside every week.’
In another first, the state-of-the-art campus is commissioning a robot for each primary school class which will help teach pupils Chinese and English language as well as literacy skills. The robots are being specially designed for Malvern College. Also, a unique bilingual primary curriculum is being developed by the College which aims to blend Asian and Western styles of education.
Antony Clark, Headmaster of Malvern College, said: ‘We are proud of our reputation for innovation in the education sector and we are delighted to be offering these exciting, ground-breaking opportunities to our Chinese parents.'
Together with the College’s existing campus in Chengdu, the school will provide education for up to 2000 children between the ages of 3 and 18.