Partner school in China

King's College is to become an official partner school with a high school in China. Qu Zhou No 2 High School was founded in 1953, and is one of the best high schools in Zhejiang province, which lies to the south of Shanghai. The campus covers about 21 hectares, which includes a 400 metre athletics track, a standard-size swimming pool and a gymnasium. The school places a strong emphasis on the use of technology in education and the school campus is wholly internet accessible.

The results of students' College Entrance Examinations are consistently among the best in Zhejiang. Each year, more than ten of the school's students are admitted to Tsinghua, Beijing, Hong Kong and Singapore National Universities. Students participate in more than 30 extra-curricular activities. Every year, a variety of festivals, including Sports, Arts and English, are held to provide each student with an opportunity to showcase their individual talents. Weekly lectures by experts in numerous fields are held to broaden students' horizons.

The school already has a programme of teacher exchanges with Red wing School, Minnesota, and the school employs a number of British GAP students each year. Fourteen members of staff have lived in English-speaking countries for six months or more. Pupils at the school have the opportunity each summer to participate in summer camps in the UK, Canada, Australia and Japan.

King's headmaster Richard Biggs flies out to China at the end of this term to visit the school, and meet staff and pupils. "This is a tremendously exciting project for King's to be involved in," he said. "There is no doubt that China is going to be an increasingly influential force in the world economy, and we will be able to provide opportunities for our staff and pupils to witness this unique culture at first hand."