Celebrating the Strategic Alliance of Opal Education Group and Blundell's School: Launch of Chongqing Lucton International School's Primary Program Go back »
2025-04-03 | Southwest China
On the morning of 1st April 2025, the Opal Education Group and Blundell's School MOU Signing Ceremony and Lucton Primary School Official Launch Event was grandly held. The event was honoured by the presence of distinguished guests, including Mr. Tim Standbrook, Deputy Consul General of the British Consulate in Chongqing; Mr. Jed Elroy Rendor, Vice Consul of the Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines in Chongqing; Mr. Li Sichuan, Member of the Party Leadership Group and Vice District Mayor of the Chongqing Jiangbei District People's Government; Mr. Deng Rui, President of the Chongqing Education Association for International Exchange; Mr. Andrew Berrow, Deputy Head (Operations), Blundell's School; and Mr. Clement Parrish, Principal of Nanjing Foreign Language School International Curriculum Centre.
Kicking off the event, Mr Seb Borham, Mr. Tim Standbrook, Deputy Consul General of the British Consulate in Chongqing, delivered a speech, stating: "Education is not only about enlightening minds but also about nurturing hope, fostering resilience, and unlocking the boundless potential of future leaders. Moving forward, the British Consulate-General in Chongqing will continue to support deeper educational and cultural exchanges and cooperation with Lucton School Chongqing."
Following this, Mr. Li Sichuan, Vice District Mayor of the Chongqing Jiangbei District People's Government, commended the achievements of Lucton School Chongqing, highlighting how the school successfully integrates the essence of British education with local characteristics to offer international education options for the children of expatriate families in Chongqing. He further shared three key recommendations: 1. Striving for Excellence and Setting an International Education Benchmark. 2. Enhancing Achievements and Expanding Brand Influence. 3. Aligning with Regional Development and Contributing to Local Growth – Leveraging its role as a bridge in international education to provide strong intellectual support for regional development and to contribute to the internationalisation of Jiangbei District.
During the event, Mr. Andrew Berrow, Deputy Head (Operations), Blundell's School, introduced the esteemed institution, which has earned the highest "Excellent" rating from the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) in the UK. With a history spanning over 400 years, Blundell's School has consistently nurtured generations of outstanding individuals.
Mr. Roy Donnan, Deputy Head - Academic of Lucton School Chongqing, also elaborated on the school's philosophy, stating: "An ideal education is one that always places students' development at its core—this principle embodies Lucton's educational vision."
With the official signing of the MOU between Opal Education Group and Blundell's School, the two schools will leverage their combined strengths to cultivate seeds of cross-cultural understanding, build pathways for international talent development, and lay a solid foundation for global competence. Through openness, innovation, and collaboration, they will co-author a new chapter in international education.
Additionally, the Official Launch Ceremony of the Lucton Primary School marks the school's transformation into a fully integrated international school, covering primary and secondary education. Committed to a holistic education philosophy, the school aims to nurture outstanding global citizens with both a broad international perspective and a strong foundation in Chinese cultural heritage.
At the event, under the moderation of Mr. Steven Yang, President of Opal Education Group, a roundtable discussion was held on the theme "International Education: A New Pathway for Student Development." This engaging dialogue featured insights from educational scholars, industry leaders, and cross-sector experts. Discussions explored the fundamental role of education, the key factors that define excellent international education, and the challenges posed by artificial intelligence in the education sector. The panellists unanimously emphasised that the essence of international education lies in equipping students with a global perspective and cross-cultural communication skills.
Looking ahead, Lucton School Chongqing will continue to provide educational opportunities for the children of expatriate families in Chongqing, fostering cultural exchanges between China and the UK, and continuously innovating in international education. By integrating the best of British and Chinese educational practices, the school aspires to nurture future global citizens prepared to embrace the challenges of tomorrow.
Source: Lucton School Chongqing