The Deanes School Welcomes visitors from Nanjing Normal University

On Thursday, The Deanes School, in partnership with Cornelius Vermuyden School, welcomed 18 student teachers from Nanjing Normal University in China as part of an enriching cross-cultural visit designed to foster international understanding and collaboration. 

The visit offered both schools, part of South East Essex Academy Trust (SEEAT), a unique opportunity to share educational practices and celebrate cultural diversity. Executive Headteacher Desi McKeown, along with SEEAT CEO Andrew Cooper, opened the day with a joint presentation about The Deanes, Cornelius, and the Trust’s collective mission to provide inclusive and aspirational education. 

The visiting student teachers spent the morning observing a range of lessons at The Deanes, gaining first-hand experience of teaching and learning in a UK secondary school setting. The highlight of the visit came in the afternoon, when students from both schools participated in a series of interactive workshops led by the Chinese visitors on Chinese festivals, paper cutting and blue and white pottery. 

Desi McKeown, Executive Headteacher, commented: 

“This visit perfectly embodies the spirit of SEEAT—bringing our schools together to create exceptional experiences for our students. The interaction between our young people and the Chinese student teachers was heartening. They learned, shared, and laughed together. It was a reminder of how education can bridge cultures and build understanding.”