In the early 1900s, man invented the aeroplane and completed its first test flights, Einstein first proposed the theory of relativity, expanding the concept of space-time and gravity ...... The times are changing rapidly, and with extraordinary ingenuity and vast horizons, in the 21st century mankind has officially launched the new Industrial age 4.0 reaching further into space.
Looking back at the annals of human progress, both 100 years ago and today, the change-makers of the times who built the ladder of progress for mankind have always had a wealth of knowledge, a vision of advancement and a diversity of thinking. The characteristics that helped them stand out were linked to a future-oriented education.
As a future oriented school, Ardingly College Zhongshan (ACZS) began its phased opening in the Autumn of 2022 (from kindergarten). The school offers a holistic education for students aged 1-18 years old that blends the best of East and West, and helps students achieve all-around excellence through the school's unique World Ready Programme, supporting them to enter world-class universities they want to attend, and ultimately gain outstanding achievements in their respective fields.
As a newcomer to the Chinese education field, ACZS has attracted the attention of thousands of families in Zhongshan and the Greater Bay Area in less than a year and has already become the top choice for many families. What is it about this new school that helps it stand out from other renowned schools? Let's learn about it through 8 questions.
What is the school's background
Ardingly College Zhongshan is proud to carry the educational genes of Ardingly College, UK, one of the top 10 IB co-ed schools in the world. We are proud to deliver a high-end private bilingual school offering a 15-year consistent educational pathway for families in Zhongshan and the Greater Bay Area.
With the century-old educational culture of Ardingly College, UK, as the cornerstone, the school helps each student achieve all-round excellence through a world-renowned curriculum, highly qualified faculty, a wealth of enrichment activities, personalised college counselling services and a meticulous pastoral care system, supporting students through their studies and into world-renowned universities fully supporting their academic progress and future plans.
What kind of future do we
want for our children?
With a major educational mission for the future, Ardingly College Zhongshan's unique educational philosophy is both visionary and innovative.
We are committed to cultivating our students to become global citizens who possess profound Chinese culture and national identity with the ability to understand and respect other cultures, and through positive aspirations become creators of the future world.
With a global vision, strong academic support and abundant resources, Ardingly School seamlessly and deliberately integrates the essence of both Chinese and Western culture and aims to build a world-class modern holistic educational program with forward thinking characteristics and outstanding academic achievement.
Personalized Learning, Foster Lifelong Learners
At Ardingly College Zhongshan(Kindergarten) we know that no one can excel at everything, but every pupil can excel at something. We spend considerable effort to ensure that we find the interdiv of ‘TALENT’ and ‘INTEREST’ in every single student in our school, and help them to nurture, grow and refine those areas to support them in their continuous development towards excellence.
What is the core of the
curriculum for each stage?
As a school focused on the future and with a future enrolment of 3,000 students across kindergarten, primary, middle school and high school, ACZS provides students with a curriculum that blends the best of Eastern and Western cultures and a 15-year elite pathway. Each child regardless of different developmental needs will have access to a diverse and quality learning and living environment with tailored academic plans, and ultimately to the world's top universities, those they have a preference for entering, or those best suited to their future ambitions.
Ardingly College Zhongshan(Kindergarten) is an International Baccalaureate Organization PYP candidate school, combining the essence of Chinese and Western pedagogies. The aim of the IBO PYP is to provide students with an inquiry-based transdisciplinary framework incorporating 6 Units of Inquiry. Additionally, we supplement our programme with the UK EYFS standards for learning, development and care, which prioritises A Unique Child, Positive Relationships, Enabling Environments and Learning and Developing. Lastly, we fully align with the Chinese Kindergarten 3 to 6 year-old guidelines which are crucial to building a strong foundation in Chinese culture and development of each child.
Opening planned for autumn 2023
Rooted in the National Core Curriculum and incorporating cutting-edge international teaching models, each child's learning is deeply tracked and supported through a student-centred, inquiry and project-based bilingual integrated teaching model. Personalised teaching, low teacher-student ratios, small class sizes, differentiated after-school programmes, long term planning & supportive Co-Curricular activities, and a multi-track integrated education will be the foundation that sets us apart from other schools and will support students in being well prepared for their future studies.
Opening planned for autumn 2023
With the completion of the students academic tests at the end of Junior High School and entry into high school, the school will offer children a variety of pathways including the Nationwide Unified Examination for Admissions to General Universities and Colleges, an International Curriculum pathway and an Artistic Studies pathway, while our students can choose their own pathways, taking into account their learning situation, interests and future target universities. For example, our Upper School Students will have access to a robust international offering fully preparing students for A-Level or HKDSE, which covers a wide range of subjects as well as the learning needs of their future career. With the help of the school's top academic team and college counsellors, students will be able to gain access to 985 and 211 universities in China, or receive the offers from world-renowned universities.
How do we support the
development of our students?
Each child is seen as an individual, with their own unique attributes. At ACZS, we are here to ensure every child can discover their full potential. From kindergarten, primary school, middle school through to high school, ACZS is committed to providing a holistic education that blends the best of East and West. Through the rich and diverse opportunities offered within and outside the school, and even internationally, students will be encouraged to actively participate in a wide range of academic and non-academic activities, supporting their development in a myriad of of academic areas, personal, social and physical development and culturally diverse social interactions to ensure that they can stand out from their peers in the future.
In addition, our school prepare our pupils to be ‘World Ready’. The World Ready Programme, a cornerstone programme at Ardingly College Zhongshan, aims to develop pupil’s all-around skills outside of just their academics, and cultivates well rounded talents prepared for the future, and help pupils to enter the world fully prepared to meet any challenge they may face.
What are the details
of school's faculty?
ACZS has formed a forward-thinking school council with a blend of Chinese and Western cultures and a team of members from Fortune 500 companies and top universities around the world. With its international outlook and visionary philosophy, the school continues to attract the world's top school leaders, including Mr. Nick Nightingale, Centre Principal and A-Level Programme Director of Beijing National Day School, one of the four famous schools in Beijing, Dr. Colby Hazouri, who has over 10 years of experience in running schools in China and abroad and specialises in bilingual integration programmes in K12 schools, and Ms. Hannah Han, Director of the Shenzhen Pre-school Education Association and a former principal of two of the top kindergartens in Shenzhen and Ningbo.
Since 2021, ACZS has been recruiting outstanding teaching talent from around the world with strict recruitment requirements. Out of thousands of CVs from around the world, only 5% of the total number of educators who share our educational ambitions, have a proven track record and have proven themselves to share our mission and vision are successful in being offered chance to join the school. The team of teachers who have already joined ACZS includes top international talent from QS World University Ranked top 100 schools, senior teachers with over ten years of international education experience, and a number of masters and doctorate degree holders who have a unique perspective on education.
How does the campus environment support student growth?
Mr. Alan Wang, of EVA Architects and former chief designer (education projects) of Perkins-Will, a world-renowned architectural firm, is an Australian and British Royal Certified Architect who served as the chief designer of school. It is developed like it’s own micro-city, to encourage socialisation, creativity, and inclusion all within the Ardingly College Zhongshan campus. Our school spaces serve to empower our students with the core value of using spaces as a platform to enhance global leadership and global competencies.
Ardingly College Zhongshan is equipped with facilities built to an international-standard, Including our technology and innovation centre, library, art gallery, a professional black box theatre, a 600-seat performing arts theatre, a multi-function science laboratory, a large indoor gym, an indoor suspended running track, a heated indoor swimming pool, indoor basketball and volleyball courts, a football field, a standard 400 meter outdoor running track, roof-top tennis courts, a squash hall, student dormitory, and faculty housing.
As a popular entry in China and abroad, the school has lived up to its reputation by earning the recognition of highly renowned international organisations. This includes the Muse Design Award and the Golden Bund Award, as well as other distinguished awards!
What logistical support does
the school provide for students?
ACZS aims to create a free, safe and integrated community for learners to grow through excellence in logistics. Here, each student will receive full respect and care, and their academic, social, living and health needs will be the priorities of the school.
As an example, Ardingly College Zhongshan(Kindergarten) has signed an official partnership with leading domestic agricultural and livestock companies such as "Pagoda Group" and "SZCH" to provide children with original and high-quality ingredients. At the same time, the school has hired a professional nutrition team to revise student recipes on a weekly basis. Through precise calculation of dietary nutrition and accurate control based on the growth standards of children, the nutritionists will work together with the kitchen team to create a healthy experience for children with "less oil and salt, controlled sugar and limited fat, and diversified nutrition".
In terms of medical and security services, the kindergarten is fully staffed with professionals at all times of the day to ensure the safety of all students. In addition, every Chinese, Expat and life teacher are also trained in CPR & AED first aid, working together to bring professional care to every child.
For our home-school communication, ACZS brings great convenience to both home and school with a mature and open communication system. Among them, kindergarten parents can use different channels (including the Parent-Teacher App, the Home-School Communication Book, the Parent Support Group, themed activities, regular coffee corner events, open days or three-ways conferences). Effective communication and feedback over time has helped both family and school to become ‘close partners' in their children's growing path.
What are the requirements
to apply for school?
Ardingly College Zhongshan welcomes all children who meet the age requirements for school admission. There are no restrictions based on Race, Gender, or Nationality.
Ardingly College Zhongshan(Kindergarten) is now open for children aged 1-6 years old in Nursery, K1, K2 and K3, and is open for spring admissions or early application in Autumn 2023.
Primary, Middle and High School
At the beginning of the spring term, we will be sharing more educational concepts and teaching models both domestically and internationally for primary school, middle school and high school through information sharing sessions by our school leaders, VIP events and coffee corners. We welcome anyone interested to sign up for our events and learn more about our school!
In the end, any families who are interested in learning more about ACZS are welcome to scan the QR code at the end of this article or add the admissions teachers' WeChat account below for a quick consultation, we look forward to providing you with professional and attentive service!
