Dulwich College Beijing Named British International School of the Year

The Dulwich custom of cultivating understanding and involvement of both host and original cultures in its students is a strategem of note. Dulwich College Beijing (DCB) has long had a keen focus on helping unregulated local migrant schools within its community, developing on-going Creativity Action Service (CAS) programmes and Make a Difference Day (MADD). Students participate with their respective houses* in these projects as well as in field trips, student exchanges, and fundraisers. These meaningful interactions bypass strict governmental guidelines and dissimilar school curriculums, resulting in a win-win situation that bridges international Dulwich and local students. Five migrant schools have been assisted through CAS and MADD over the past four years, touching the lives of over 1,500 Chinese students and over 600 Dulwich students.The Dulwich students themselves were responsible for raising RMB 15,000 per year in funds that went directly toward their work with these migrant schools. They also started a music programme in one of the migrant schools. Four years later today, 30 students remain enrolled in this programmewhere they continue their instrumental studies. In its submission to the British Chamber of commerce for the prestigious British International School Award for 2011, DCB highlighted the student efforts that have been made in these projects.Besting submissions from fellow British schools across the globe, DCB emerged in September 2011 as one of three nominations prestigious British International School Award for 2011along with Brookhouse International, Kenya and The British School, Netherlands. Two months later, theBritcham judges decided upon Dulwich as the ideal embodiment of an inspirational school based outside of the UK that espouses a British education. The awards ceremony was held on Wednesday 16th November at the National Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham, UK. Headmaster of Dulwich College Beijing Neal McGowan, who received the award on behalf of the school community, expressed his delight with a grateful ascription for the milestone: “I am particularly pleased that the award highlights the responsibility our students take as caring and responsible citizens, including through the service and support they provide to the children of migrant workers. Our students and staff play a critical role in providing infrastructure, education and friendship to Chinese children and young people in these schools. I believe this Independent School Award affirms that in Dulwich College Beijing, our students experience an outstanding and academic education, which is rooted in a philosophy with an unwavering moral purpose. My warmest congratulations go to everyone who contributed to our success in being nominated for and receiving this prestigious award.” Clinching the British International School of the Year Award 2011 is no small feat; after all, the Independent School Awards recognise nothing less than excellence in the strategic and financial management of schools. On the school’s outstanding success, McGowan commended its staff and students: “This award is in recognition of the outstanding success of our students and the professionalism of our staff. In Dulwich College Beijing, we place great emphasis on developing fully rounded and impressive young people who excel academically, as well as flourish through curricular enrichment and commitment to service and community.” Brian McDouall, Director of Schools for the Dulwich College Management International, likewise attributed the achievement to the “commitment of students and staff across the family of Dulwich schools and the philosophy that underpins a Dulwich education.” *Dulwich uses the traditional British School house system (whose names are tributes to the founding of the school, the host country, and other great achievers who inspire our students)