Nord Anglia Education China Nurtures the Next Generation of Global Leaders
Nord Anglia Education China Nurtures the Next Generation of Global Leaders
Nord Anglia Education has more than 80 premium international schools worldwide, from Asia and Europe to the Americas and the Middle East. Learning isn’t just about absorbing theoretical knowledge and moving on at these homes away from home. Teachers are globally trained, facilities are modern and state-of-the-art, and education is anything but idle.
In China, Nord Anglia is home to eight outstanding British international schools across six cities, all offering top-tier British education with IB or A Level programmes that prepare students for success on a global stage.
These schools are dedicated to transforming students into graduates with great academic results, as well as the confidence, resilience, and creativity to succeed at whatever they choose to do or be in life. Through Early Years, Primary, and Secondary levels, students master several languages, partner with peers from various backgrounds, and engage with curricula that challenge them to grow, develop, and unlock their full potential.
The British School of Beijing, Shunyi
Not many debut films end up seeing the light of day. Many attempts were never intended for a commercial release or new directors have trouble finding dedicated distributors.
Dorji’s debut film not only beat these odds, but was also nominated for an Academy Award in 2022. The filmmaker graduated from Lawrence in 2006, having studied government, taken courses across the humanities, explored his spirituality, served as president of Lawrence International, and worked at International House. After graduation, he studied Buddhism in a monastery in India, and spent nearly a decade travelling the world as a photographer before he ventured into filmmaking.
“Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom”, written and directed by Dorji and filmed in his home country Bhutan, was one of five films nominated in the International Feature Film category. The film, with its humble budget of US$300,000, tells the story of a young teacher, Ugyen, who intended to move to Australia but was assigned to teach in Lunana, Bhutan’s most remote village, as part of a service agreement. More impressively, the entire film was made with solar batteries, as the village had no access to electricity.
Filmed in the Dzongkha language, its availability was initially limited even with subtitles, but was eventually distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films and marketed worldwide. It’s also available to stream on multiple platforms including Apple TV, Amazon, Google Play, Vudu, and YouTube.
The film has been hailed for its insightful and honest depiction of Bhutan, with The New York Times calling it a “gently efficient story.” Ang Lee, an Oscar-winning director (“Sense and Sensibility”, “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, and “Brokeback Mountain”), referred to it as a “breath of fresh air” in a video call to Dorji following the nomination.
While Dorji did win the Oscar, his life was forever changed. He still bagged awards for his work, including earning honours at the Palm Springs International Film Festival and the BFI London Film Festival, among others.
“We shot in one of the remotest human settlements in the world; we had no electricity, no network connections, not even a shower for two months,” Dorji shares. “We had to work with a cast of actors who, forget about watching films, had never even seen a light bulb.”
Pawo Choyning Dorji
Since “Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom”, he has gone on to film “The Monk and the Gun,” a satirical drama set in 2006 about a young Bhutanese monk tasked with acquiring firearms in preparation for his country's upcoming democratic election. The movie earned the Showcase Audience Choice Award at the Vancouver International Film Festival and the Special Jury Prize at the Rome Film Festival before being shortlisted by the Academy.
Dorji’s global success has brought him back to Lawrence, where he recently spoke at the university’s 2024 Commencement Ceremony after being awarded an honorary doctorate.
“It takes a rather incredible journey to leave Lawrence as a government graduate and return 18 years later as an Oscar-nominated filmmaker,” he says in his speech. “When I look back at my experiences over the last 18 years, I realise that these were only possible because I was always curious to learn and explore. A deep sense of curiosity that refused to let me be bound by society and culture, and drove me to constantly explore. A sense of curiosity that was actually born out of Lawrence’s liberal arts education.”
“I am aware that for filmmakers across the world, an Oscar nomination is the crowning achievement of their creative careers, careers where they have worked hard and sacrificed so much to perfect the art of storytelling,” Dorji says. “I feel extremely fortunate and blessed to find myself in this position with my directorial debut. This inspires and motivates me to work even harder.”
Pawo Choyning Dorji
3 remarkable Nord Anglia Education China schools
3 remarkable Nord Anglia Education China schools
The British School of Beijing, Shunyi
Students experience an international education that forges real-world understanding at The British School of Beijing, Shunyi (BSB Shunyi), a district of Beijing home to expatriate communities. It’s a vibrant learning environment with over 1,100 students aged 2 to 18 from more than 60 nationalities. When the International Day celebration rolls around, the students proudly dress in traditional costumes, engaging with foreign cultures through food and activities.
20+
years of excellent education since opening in 2003.
97%
of parents say their first contact with BSB Shunyi was positive and welcoming.
35
is the running average IBDP score (15% higher than global average) for the past 9 years.
The British School of Beijing, Shunyi
Students experience an international education that forges real-world understanding at The British School of Beijing, Shunyi (BSB Shunyi), a district of Beijing home to expatriate communities. It’s a vibrant learning environment with over 1,100 students aged 2 to 18 from more than 60 nationalities. When the International Day celebration rolls around, the students proudly dress in traditional costumes, engaging with foreign cultures through food and activities.
20+
years of excellent education since opening in 2003.
97%
of parents say their first contact with BSB Shunyi was positive and welcoming.
35
is the running average IBDP score (15% higher than global average) for the past 9 years.
The British International School Shanghai, Puxi (BISS Puxi)
For 20 years, The British International School Shanghai, Puxi (BISS Puxi) has been supporting students to make an impact. This year, they’re receiving new scholarships across five areas to embark on their interests: academics, STEAM, performing arts, leadership, and sports. Whilst these are new, features such as dedicated teachers paying individual attention to each student and an easy application process are mainstays. The process to apply to the school is streamlined into four simple steps, and you’re meeting the community from the start.
34.5
is the average IBDP score in 2024 (global average 30).
91%
of parents state their child is happy at BISS Puxi.
91%
of parents say their first contact with BISS was positive and welcoming.
Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong
Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong (NAIS Hong Kong) students in Early Years, Primary, and Secondary campuses are guided by dedicated British-qualified teachers with international expertise. With a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio, learning is personalised to each student, empowering them to reach their full potential.
3
state-of-the-art campuses.
100%
acceptance into first-choice universities.
100%
IBDP pass rate.
The British International School Shanghai, Puxi (BISS Puxi)
For 20 years, The British International School Shanghai, Puxi (BISS Puxi) has been supporting students to make an impact. This year, they’re receiving new scholarships across five areas to embark on their interests: academics, STEAM, performing arts, leadership, and sports. Whilst these are new, features such as dedicated teachers paying individual attention to each student and an easy application process are mainstays. The process to apply to the school is streamlined into four simple steps, and you’re meeting the community from the start.
34.5
is the average IBDP score in 2024 (global average 30).
91%
of parents state their child is happy at BISS Puxi.
91%
of parents say their first contact with BISS was positive and welcoming.
Hear from the students
The teachers at this school will not only inspire you but also make learning feel like a breeze. They come from all over the world and bring unique perspectives and teaching techniques that, although different from what you may be used to, will guide you at school and beyond.
James, Australia
I strongly feel that the sense of community and belonging at UWC-USA is special and not something you see at other schools. We, both students and teachers, share not only academic spaces but also meals and everyday moments. These shared experiences foster a vibrant, supportive, and interconnected community atmosphere that truly sets us apart.
Minseo, South Korea
The students here never cease to amaze me. Everyone has a sense of idealism and people make an effort to speak their truth. Students successfully advocate for their rights and there is an atmosphere of clarity and mutual understanding.
Lucas, Belarus
The diversity of our student body improves the classroom experience in all my classes. In classes like Global Politics, often when writing or speaking on any issue, we have a student who is from the country and can give first-hand experience, which deepens our understanding beyond what a traditional IB school could offer.
Korbin, USA
Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong
Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong (NAIS Hong Kong) students in Early Years, Primary, and Secondary campuses are guided by dedicated British-qualified teachers with international expertise. With a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio, learning is personalised to each student, empowering them to reach their full potential.
3
state-of-the-art campuses.
100%
acceptance into first-choice universities.
100%
IBDP pass rate.
Explore the world in Yangon
At BSY, the world is brought into the classroom through a constantly updated curriculum and a diverse faculty representing a wide range of backgrounds and expertise. For example, John Kerr from the UK will be joining this August as a new Chemistry Teacher. Zeng Wenjuan, also known as Rebecca will be coming in as the new Mandarin teacher. Jessica Laleo from the US will soon be joining the Primary team, bringing with her extensive teaching experience from Tanzania, East Africa and Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
What these educators have in common is a goal to cultivate unparalleled engagement and create long-lasting memories. Through their fresh ideas, field trips will turn historical dates into tangible experiences, and real-world scenarios will bridge theory and practice.
“We are supremely ambitious for our students,” says Alison Fox, Principal. “We hold high expectations and challenge our learners to surpass what they ever believed possible. At the same time, we support, guide and nurture each child to ensure that their learning experience is uniquely personalised, giving them every opportunity to thrive and develop into confident, curious global citizens who will go on to make a difference in our world.”
BSY fosters global citizens through real-world experiences. School trips are integral to their education, which is why they offer various opportunities for personal and academic growth beyond the classroom.
Leveraging its NAE status, BSY boasts exclusive collaborations with world-leading institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and UNICEF. They even have a dedicated outdoor expedition base in Switzerland. These connections enable students to connect with peers from across the Nord Anglia network in settings exclusive to them.
This year, they embarked on their inaugural Nord Anglia Snowsports trip to the Swiss Alps. "Our BSY students had an absolute blast on the snow sports trip in Le Martinet, Switzerland, joining students from Nord Anglia International School Dublin on the adventure of a lifetime," shares a faculty member.
"From the stunning alpine views to the fantastic conditions on the slopes, this has already become a trip to remember, and they still have two more days to go."
THE WORLD AT THEIR FINGERTIPS
Hear from the faculty
“Young children are like sponges, with a lot of repetition on a regular basis, it does not take long for the children to understand instructions and the daily routines in their chosen foreign language. By the end of Reception, the children are able to recognise parts of the body, animals, colours and answer simple questions confidently in Spanish. Through songs, stories and games, the children thoroughly enjoy their MFL lessons and come with a smile every morning.”
Silvia Bueno,
Primary Spanish Teacher
“Our highly experienced and specialised swim coaches focus on building water confidence and safety. Most children come to us in Pre-Nursery uneasy in the water, often crying. It may be their first ever time in a swimming pool. Through gentle splashing and games in the water, we encourage them into the pool and then slowly build up to them putting their face and then head into the water. By the end of Reception the students are able to jump into and climb out of the main pool and swim with a kickboard. Some students are able to swim independently, with the beginnings of swim strokes.”
Chongteng Yang,
Swim Coach
At BSY, exposure to global issues inspires students to make a meaningful impact. Amongst its extensive lineup of opportunities, environmental projects stand out. From tree-planting initiatives to recycling programmes, these are led by students and supported by the school community —- as are initiatives aimed at bettering communities beyond campus.
A powerful example is the Books and Brushes event, where the BSY community came together to support a local charity. Through a combination of book sales and an art auction, they raised over 1,000,000 kyat.
The Model United Nations (MUN) programme at BSY further illustrates how exposure can lead to impactful actions. Recently, over the course of a weekend, students from diverse backgrounds engaged in intense negotiations, lobbying, and drafting resolutions. These activities, aimed at addressing global issues, helped them develop critical thinking, diplomacy, and leadership skills. They left the event with a stronger sense of global responsibility and a commitment to making the world a better place.
Inspiring action through awareness
If you’d like to learn more about Nord Anglia China International Schools, please click here.