Chongqing- A century-old education brand from the UK opened its second chapter in China after Shanghai on September 6 with the inauguration of the new Lucton School Chongqing in the picturesque Tieshanping Forest Park. The new school will practice the concept of holistic education, based on IGCSE and A-Level, equipped with extensive competitions and activities, including more than 20 sports represented by equestrian, drama, art and music, and STEAM courses, as well as high-level various international educational events, seminars, and other activities offered by the International Conference Center.

At the opening ceremony, Tim Standbrook, Deputy Consul General of the United Kingdom in Chongqing, Ms. Du Jianhua, Deputy General Manager of CMT Real Estate Chongqing Co., Mr. Steven Yang, Chairman of Governors of Lucton School Chongqing, and Mr. Clem Parrish, Executive Head of Lucton School Chongqing jointly inaugurated the new school. Lucton School was founded in 1708 and is located in Hertfordshire, England. Prince Edward (Earl of Wessex) visited the school on behalf of the British royal family for the 300th-anniversary celebration. Chongqing Lucton School, as another direct branch under the British Headquarters in China, aims to cultivate outstanding leadership talents with a Chinese soul and global vision, combining the educational essence of British Lucton spanning over three centuries with the unique and successful experience of Shanghai Lucton in China, to offer Chongqing students a Sino-Western and world-leading expertise.

"The UK and China boast world-class education offers. Both our countries share a commitment to equipping our young people with the skills they need today and the skills they will need tomorrow," said Mr. Tim Standbrook at the Grand Opening of Lucton School Chongqing.

"There are some international schools in Chongqing, and it helps Chongqing's ambitions to become a more international center," Mr. Standbrook told iChongqing. In addition, he is pleased to see that Chinese and international education are widely available in Chongqing and the surrounding regions.

"We are officially ready to be unleashed, to take our space, carve our niche, and root into the earth and hearts of Chongqing," Ms. Sarah Ezdani, Founding Academic Head of Lucton School Chongqing, sees the city as an authentic, warm-hearted, and down-to-earth community. She is optimistic about the future development of Lucton School Chongqing, "May we create with compassion, harmony, initiative, courage, integrity, humility, respect, responsibility and excellence."

"We focus on the fusion of cutting-edge global knowledge and the Chinese traditional cultural heritage. We will introduce the British junior high school curriculum (IGCSE) and general certificate of advanced education level (A-level), and we will also offer Chinese as a compulsory subject. We try to help students form a global perspective, achieve the mutual promotion of knowledge and ability, and plan their career development paths according to their respective talents, interests, and hobbies," said Mr. Steven Yang, Chairman of Governors of Lucton School Chongqing.

Students of Lucton Chongqing showed musical talent performances, which embodied the 314-year-old Lucton spirit of service, internationalism, adventurism, and leadership. The ceremony ended with all the students and faculty passing on the motto of Lucton School.  

(Chen Lu, as an intern, also contribute to this report)