Chinese students flock to college

CHINESE students have travelled more than 5,000 miles to do their A-levels...in Hartlepool.

Thirteen students have enrolled at Hartlepool Sixth Form College to begin two years of A-levels and GCSEs.
The college has seen the number of students from the Far East exceed their expectations after its popularity grew and its teachers travelled to Shanghai and Guangzhou to teach maths.
Just three students were expected but 13 have enrolled this year, the second year the scheme has been run.
The students come from Beijing, Shangai, Guangzhou, Dongguan and Foshan and have previously been studying an intensive course in York to learn English.
Joe Zhou, from Guangzhou in China, arrived at the college last year. He is studying maths, further maths and physics.
He gained 100 per cent in five out of his nine examinations and is looking forward to applying to Cambridge University to read mechanical engineering.
Joe, 19, said: "The college is quite nice and all the staff take care of me. I really enjoy it. Here, I get more spare time for reading and playing sports than I did in China."
Carole Horseman, assistant principal at the college, said: "The students' parents said they wanted their children to have an English education so their sons and daughters become truly international and can move from west to east with comfort and ease.
"The students can't get over the fact that they are not working 14 hours a day, like they do in China. It's a big culture shock."
The young people are living with families in Hartlepool and accommodation is always being sought. Anyone interested in providing accommodation should contact the college on (01429) 294444.

 

Last Updated: 12 September 2007 12:51 PM