Woodrush became part of the Mandarin Excellence Programme (MEP) in 2018, joining a small group of carefully selected schools nationwide. Now in its eighth year, the programme is a well-established and valued part of our curriculum, offering students a unique and enriching opportunity to develop advanced Mandarin language skills.

Students on the programme receive four hours of teacher-led Mandarin lessons each week, taught by a native Mandarin speaker. In total, students complete eight hours of Mandarin study per week, which includes structured self-study and access to intensive study opportunities, both in the UK and, where appropriate, in China.

The programme is highly academic and demanding, and students are recruited in Year 6 based on teacher recommendations, taking into account both their academic ability and their attitude to learning. This ensures students are well suited to the pace and challenge of the course.

The Mandarin Excellence Programme is delivered in partnership with University College London (UCL), the British Council and the Department for Education, and aims to significantly increase the number of fluent Mandarin speakers in the UK.

A key highlight of the programme is the annual China residential, which has successfully taken place for the past two years. This once-in-a-lifetime 10-day trip is offered to students in Year 9 and provides a fully immersive experience in Mandarin language and Chinese culture. Students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in everyday Mandarin life, take part in language study sessions, and experience a range of cultural and sightseeing activities, giving them invaluable first-hand insight into life in China.

Each year, a cohort of students joins the programme in Year 7, allowing it to grow sustainably as students progress through the school. Over the past eight years, the programme has continued to inspire and challenge students, while supporting high levels of achievement, cultural understanding and a genuine enthusiasm for language learning.

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