International
St Paul’s Girls’ School has built its reputation on innovation and progressive development. We have continually evolved to take advantage of the best opportunities for our students. We now begin an important new chapter in our school’s history: the opening of our first international sister school in China. This is the foundation of a network of SPGS International schools, in China and beyond. As the network grows, we will implement meaningful links between our schools, drawing upon local and global inspiration to enrich education for all our students.
SPGS International
SPGS International is a wholly owned subsidiary of St Paul’s Girls’ School. SPGS International works with international school operators and developers to establish schools modelled on the ethos and values of St Paul’s Girls’ School. Although SPGS International schools operate independently from St Paul’s in London, they are grounded in a close partnership to incorporate the most brilliant aspects of a St Paul’s education and seek to replicate its extraordinary achievements.
Our team of highly experienced international advisers provides guidance to our partners on the set-up of each school, including leadership and teacher recruitment, curriculum planning, policy development, and student assessment. Once a school has opened, SPGS International provides oversight of standards and supports ongoing professional development for staff.
Life at SPGS International schools in China
Students follow an enhanced version of the English National Curriculum, including Chinese language and culture and SPGS school directed courses. Students are taught in small classes and the curriculum is revised regularly to incorporate the latest educational practices. This approach enables students to achieve academic excellence and to play a leading role in the world beyond school.
A joy in learning, intellectual excitement and creativity in thinking permeate St Paul’s and this ethos is distilled into our sister schools. SPGS International schools provide holistic learning programmes that challenge and excite. Highly qualified and experienced teachers share best practices and benefit from ongoing professional development.
By recognising students’ individual strengths and talents, SPGS International teachers educate the whole child and develop independence, curiosity and resilience.
A core element of SPGS International schools is the opportunity for cultural exchange and shared learning for students and teachers. Long term links with St Paul’s in London are built through joint projects in technology, music and the arts, educational visits and teacher and pupil exchanges.
Our family of schools
Chengdu
SPGS International Chengdu is a co-educational, international school aimed at the expatriate community. It caters for students aged three to fifteen years old and will expand over the coming years to educate students through to 18.
The school is located in Chengdu, the capital of the Sichuan province, rich in culture and natural beauty. The province is home to panda conservation and takes pride in its biodiversity and natural sources of energy. The school will have strong links with the area’s hi-tech industries and will benefit from its growing international business environment, mirroring our ambitions to develop new and emerging technologies within the curriculum at St Paul’s.
Junior school
The junior school is led by Phil Farrier-Price, who has nearly 20 years’ experience working in international and bilingual schools in China. Phil graduated from Durham University with a degree in Education and Business Management and specialises in early years and primary education. Under Phil’s leadership, students at the Chengdu school receive a broad and rounded education, based on the UK Early Years curriculum. Academic excellence is underpinned by a wealth of co-curricular activities, with a focus on the creative arts and the kindest pastoral care. This allows each child to reach their full potential academically, socially and emotionally.
Senior school
The senior school opened in August 2022 led by Peter Hawksworth, Founding Headmaster and Head of Senior School. Peter brings to this role over ten years’ experience in education, including six years at Headship level. He leaves his position as High School Principal at the Harbour School in Hong Kong to join the team in Chengdu. Peter received a first-class honours degree from Durham University, before completing a Master of Music from the University of Manchester and further post-graduate qualifications in music and special education. Peter has a passion for Chinese culture and a desire to fuse Chinese language and values with the best aspects of a St Paul’s education.
News
Winners! SPGS International School Chengdu awarded the Best New School in China
| 24 February 2023
We are excited to announce that SPGS International School Chengdu has been awarded the New School Award by the British Chamber of Commerce in China. Congratulations and thank you to all of our marvellous staff, students, parents and partners at the school. |
Spring Term Begins
6 February 2023
As the spring term begins at SPGS International Chengdu and celebrations for the Chinese New Year come to a close, we look back at our school’s festivities
before the break.
Warming Up for Chinese New Year
16 January 2023
As the Chinese New Year fast approaches, the students at SPGS International School Chengdu warm up for the festivities.
Last week all junior school students sang the Chinese New Year song in their morning assembly. This marked a wonderful start to their celebrations and we are excited to show you what else they get up to over the coming days!
Friendship, Collaboration and Teamwork – Sports Day 2022
25 November 2022
As we layer up for the colder weather, we look back at some of the fantastic summer activities that the students, parents and teachers enjoyed at SPGS International School Chengdu on their sports day.
From the parents’ tug of war, teacher races and a student obstacle
course we enjoyed watching it all, showcasing our brilliant team-work skills and learning more about collaboration and friendship.
‘An Invaluable Experience both for Learning and for Friendships’ – The 2nd Installment of the Chengdu Express Program
8 November 2022
At the beginning of the month, students from SPGS London and SPGS International School Chengdu took part in a virtual exchange. Both sets of pupils got the chance to discuss the topics relevant to the GCSE Mandarin curriculum, covering subjects such as their favourite foods, singers and other hobbies.
The activity proved to be a great success as the students at both schools relaxed into the exercise, built confidence in their spoken language and shared a laugh with their sister school groups. The pupils at SPGS in London were particularly thrilled with how the morning went, stating that it was ‘an invaluable experience both for learning and for friendships’.
If you would like to see more of the collaborations between both sister schools, then please follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram @SPGSInternational.
A Fang-tastic Day at SPGS International School Chengdu!
31 October 2022
Students had a spooky start to the week, celebrating all things Halloween. Teachers, students and parents all took part in face-painting and games around the school, showcasing the outstanding facilities that it has to offer.
Perhaps this is the sort of vibrant environment that you could see yourself teaching in from September 2023?
If so, please contact click the link
A Typical Day at SPGS International School Chengdu
20 January 2022
How do students at SPGS International School Chengdu spend their day? With specially selected monthly learning themes, outdoor classes and a mix of music, art, science and drama classes, younger children in Junior School are always excited to explore and discover new ideas. Watch the video for a quick glimpse into their typical activity-filled school day.
Meet the team
Sara Brazendale
Managing Director
Sara leads SPGS International’s business in London, establishing SPGSI schools in new territories around the world. The first SPGSI Junior School opened in Chengdu, China in September 2021. SPGSI Senior School Chengdu opened in August 2022, and a new SPGS International Programme will launch at ULC in Guangzhou in September 2023.
Prior to joining St Paul’s, Sara was International Director at Wycombe Abbey where she helped to establish three new Wycombe Abbey International schools in China and Hong Kong.
With over 20 years’ experience in strategy consulting and international management, Sara is well placed to transfer St Paul’s Girls’ School’s ethos and values to new markets. Sara speaks fluent Mandarin, Cantonese and French and has lived and worked extensively overseas throughout her career. Sara holds an MBA from INSEAD and a BA(Hons) in Chinese from Durham University.
SPGS International welcomes approaches from overseas partners or school operators seeking collaboration with the UK’s top independent day school for girls.
Claire Van Fossen
International Development Coordinator
Claire is an experienced supporting staff member in international organisations and teams. She graduated from Occidental College in Los Angeles, California with a Bachelor’s in Diplomacy and World Affairs and University College London with a Master’s in Education, Gender and International Development. Claire has worked on policy, programme and advocacy teams at the United Kingdom Mission to the United Nations, Vital Voices Global Partnership, Refugees International and the International Rescue Committee. She is passionate about human rights, gender, education policy and international development. She also worked as a youth gymnastics coach, trained as a dancer for 15+ years and enjoys backpacking, reading and traveling.
Kate Abery
International Development Administrator
Kate received her Bachelor’s degree in Geography from Newcastle University and a French language qualification from Alpadia Language School in Lyon, France.
Kate has experience producing digital marketing campaigns for an NGO and providing office support for a global consultancy.
She contributes both personal and academic experience to the international team following extensive travels abroad. In her spare time, Kate takes part in a host of sports including cycling, tennis and netball, specifically taking on the challenge of cycling the NC500 in Scotland.
Deepak Dhrona
Accountant
Deepak is a qualified accountant with nearly 30 years’ experience working in practice and industry, here in the UK and overseas in Kenya.
He has worked in the independent school sector for 18 years.
Prior to joining St Paul’s Girls’ School, Deepak was the accountant at St Helen’s School in Northwood.
Join us
SPGS International Senior School Chengdu opened in August 2022 and recruitment is underway for several roles.
Please follow this link for more information: https://spgs-international-school-chengdu.hirehive.com/
Contact
SPGS International Ltd, Brook Green, Hammersmith, London W6 7BS.
Email us at international@spgs.org, and explore the SPGS International website here.