Dear Parents/Carers

SHS News 14/11/25

I’m delighted to share that my recent visit to China was very successful. We have now cemented our partnership with two schools in Jiangsu Province: Changshu Middle School and Changshu High School. Both are high-performing, with a real pride in learning and an impressive work ethic.

A few reflections from the trip:

• Education is highly valued. The school day is long and the workload is heavy. In the most recent PISA results (2023), China topped the charts for science, maths and reading. There’s plenty there to admire.
• There are lessons for us too. Organisation, focus and persistence stood out. We’ll draw on those ideas where they make sense for our context.
• We also have strengths to share. At SHS, every child is known well; lessons are active and engaging; independent thinking is encouraged; and support and guidance are built in so all pupils can succeed. Our colleagues in Jiangsu were particularly interested in these aspects and are working to embed them.

Partnerships like these aren’t about copying another system. They’re about learning with respect, sharing what works, and giving our young people a broader view of the world. We’ll explore pupil and staff exchanges, joint projects and regular classroom links so students benefit in tangible ways.

Practical updates:-

• Colder weather: Please ensure your child comes to school with a warm, waterproof coat each day. We still go outside for movement and fresh air where possible.
• Year 9 Parents’ Evening – Thursday 20 November: Year 9 is a pivotal year as pupils consider their KS4 options. It’s vital that parents and carers attend so we can talk about current progress and discuss the best choices for next year. Options booklets will be shared with pupils and parents shortly to support these conversations. As Anne Frank wrote, “Our lives are fashioned by our choices. First we make our choices, then our choices make us.” We look forward to meeting all Year 9 families on Thursday 20 November.

It was a privilege to represent Stretford High School and to see our values land so strongly abroad. As ever, thank you for your continued support.

Take CARE

Mrs Doward (Headteacher)

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