Head teachers' trip to China (FOI)

​Request

A

How much did the recent trip to China (November 2016) made by Head Teachers from Jersey cost the States?

B

How many people went on this trip?

C

What was the purpose of this trip?

D

How are the benefits to schools in Jersey being measured?

Response

A

£494.16 per person.

Crown Dependency school leaders visited China in November 2016 at the invitation of the Hanban Institute.

The Chinese authorities covered all costs, including sustenance, internal travel, accommodation, transporters and translators. 

The only cost to the Education Department was the outward travel and return, including airport taxes, visas and airport transfers. 

States of Jersey Avios Points were used to make savings on the cost of the flights.

B

Six

C

The trip provided an opportunity for head teachers to learn from best practice in a different jurisdiction and to forge links for the future.

D

A previous visit has provided an opportunity for Jersey schools to become twinned with Chinese schools, with tangible benefits for these schools, distinct from the excellent opportunities provided by the new Confucius Classroom at Hautlieu School. Moreover, a visit from Shanghai educators later this month may see the opportunity to recruit additional teachers to our Island, funded by China.