FST represent UK's Confucius Classrooms

Chief Executive of Future Schools Trust (FST), Gigi Luscombe, was one of three keynote speakers at a recent event held at London's South Bank University to welcome two pandas from China, which will join Edinburgh Zoo in the coming weeks.

The reception celebrated the project named ‘Panda Partnership - UK Schools Welcome Pandas from China' and was hosted by the Chinese Ambassador to the UK, Liu Xiaoming. There are various aspects to the project, including a panda drawing competition for British students, a bilingual speech contest on pandas or Chinese culture for middle school students, and the launching of the panda-themed website "Panda Pals". The project's aim is symbolic of a closer partnership between the two countries.

Mrs Luscombe who represented the 34 SSAT (The Schools Network) Confucius Institute Classrooms in the UK, said: "As a group we are committed to the continued development and expansion of Mandarin within the UK curriculum and promoting an understanding of China and the riches of Chinese Culture."

FST run two secondary schools in Maidstone- New Line Learning (NLL) and Cornwallis. NLL Academy is one of 272 Confucius Classrooms established in 88 countries across the globe by the Chinese Government organisation Hanban. All Year 7 students who join the Academy are taught Mandarin as a compulsory subject until the end of Year 8 then to GCSE. At Cornwallis Academy all Year 7 and 8 students learn Mandarin for two lessons a week and have the option to take the subject at GCSE level to AS level.

FST have successfully submitted an application to the Department of Education to open Tiger Primary School. At the school all students will learn Mandarin from the age of four and learn numeracy through the abacus. In her keynote Gigi said: "We believe it is important to start languages at an early stage - it opens minds and helps pupils in gaining a wider understanding of different cultures and so develops curiosity and tolerance."

FST also run a successful Chinese Saturday School where adults and children have the opportunity to learn a new language and find out more about Chinese traditions and culture. For more information please contact our Community team by emailing community@futureschoolstrust.com or calling 01622 743286 ext.213.