Principal Paul Farrell on 10 Years of Britannica Excellence

By Ned Kelly, September 10, 2024

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Offering a top class British education in the heart of city, Britannica International School Shanghai just celebrated their 10th anniversary.

To mark the milestone, we sat down with School Principal Paul Farrell to hear about the past decade of growth, what the future holds, and what makes Britannica such a special school.

Congratulation on 10 years of Britannica – how have you seen the school grow over the years?
In the decade since its founding, Britannica has undergone significant growth in size, facilities, student enrollment, and academic excellence. Recently, this progress culminated in outstanding examination results and continuation of our 100% university acceptance rate.

The school's expansion reflects its commitment to providing a holistic and enriching educational environment. With enhanced facilities and a diverse student body of over 40 nationalities, our school promotes academic achievement, fostering a global perspective and preparing students for success in higher education and beyond.

Importantly, the school community remains a notable strength with the vast majority of families remaining with us for multiple years.

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READ MORE: Britannica International School Parents Survey Results 2023-2024

Tell us about the anniversary celebrations?
We were incredibly proud to reach the milestone. To celebrate a decade of academic excellence, growth, and community spirit, a number of events and activities were held throughout the year. 

Students performed at the famous Pearl Theater for our anniversary concert; we received an award of excellence and significant contribution to British Education from Cambridge examinations; and our community came together for a wonderful evening at our 10-Year Anniversary Ball.

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School Principal Paul Farrell speaks at the 10-Year Anniversary Ball

We also celebrated with a number of alumni reunions who visited the school to talk to students about their experience at several of the QS Top 100 universities, both in the UK and the US.

These visits were particularly memorable, and being able to see how much our alumni have achieved both academically and personally since graduating from Britannica truly reinforced the importance of a successful primary and secondary education.

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Britannica students rock The Pearl Theater

For those that do not know Britannica, sum the school philosophy up for us...
At our school, inclusivity is paramount, reflecting a commitment to embracing diversity while upholding British values.

It is an incredible school community where students, staff and parents engage, care, and respect one another. This fosters a nurturing environment that empowers individuals to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.

We strive to maximize academic outcomes for all students, ensuring each individual reaches their full potential. Yet, our exceptionally high academic outcomes are achieved without the burden of constant academic pressure, rather fostering a supportive environment where students thrive through encouragement, collaboration, and holistic growth.

Central to our philosophy is the unwavering dedication to safeguarding students, making their well-being our top priority.

Moreover, we prioritize hiring high-quality teaching staff who embody excellence in education and mentorship.

We aim to cultivate well-rounded individuals who not only excel academically, but also grow into responsible, compassionate global citizens.

We never forget the value of your child’s cultural diversity; in addition to our core curriculum, we provide an extensive World Languages Program.

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We hear Portuguese was just added to the World Language Program – how many languages does that make in total now? And how is your Mandarin program?
Britannica now offers a total of nine languages: English, Mandarin, Korean, French, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Hebrew, and now Portuguese, all of which are delivered by specialist native-speaking teachers.

Our Mandarin program is robust and comprehensive, catering to students of all proficiency levels. We provide a culturally immersive experience with native-speaking teachers, interactive lessons, and opportunities for language exchanges.

Mandarin is a core component of our curriculum, reflecting the importance of this globally significant language. Students benefit from a well-rounded education that not only includes linguistic skills but also fosters cross-cultural understanding and communication in an increasingly interconnected world.

On the other side of the coin, how does Britannica maintain its British roots?
We are the only British-owned and managed school in the city. To maintain our strong British roots, we prioritize traditions like celebrating key national events, implementing a curriculum that includes British history and literature, and upholding values such as respect, integrity, compassion and excellence.

By instilling British values in students, promoting British customs, and engaging with British history, we strive to ensure that our British heritage remains a vital part of our identity, creating a sense of pride and continuity for generations to come.

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Tell us about the advantages of being so centrally located?
Being centrally located in Shanghai offers a school a myriad of advantages. First and foremost, it means easy commutes for students and staff.

Furthermore, proximity to cultural landmarks like the Bund and museums allows for enriching field trips, while easy access to top-tier universities and industry leaders enhances educational opportunities, and provides internship and networking prospects for our senior students.

The city's diverse population and Shanghai's status as an economic hub fosters a global perspective, preparing students for a multicultural world. 

Additionally, being in a bustling metropolis offers a vibrant environment for extra-curricular activities and community engagement, creating a dynamic and enriching educational experience.

Britannica has a reputation for being a ‘caring’ school – how do you go about instilling that feeling between faculty, parents and students?
At Britannica, fostering a caring environment is core to our ethos. We cultivate this sentiment by promoting open communication and mutual respect among faculty, parents, and students.

We ensure regular parent-teacher interactions, feedback mechanisms, and inclusive events that nurture trust and collaboration. Students engage in community service projects, promoting empathy and kindness.

By prioritizing well-being and emotional support, we create a culture where everyone feels valued and supported.

Through these concerted efforts, we cultivate a sense of care and belonging that permeates every aspect of the Britannica experience.

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Britannica has an impressively high teacher retention rate, what do you ascribe that to?
The school's strong sense of community and shared values create a positive workplace culture that encourages longevity and dedication among our educators, and the high teacher retention rate at Britannica can be attributed to several key factors.

Firstly, we prioritize professional development, offering opportunities for growth and advancement within the school.

Our supportive work environment values teacher input and fosters a sense of belonging and appreciation, while competitive compensation packages and benefits demonstrate our commitment to staff well-being. 

Additionally, collaborative and inclusive decision-making processes empower teachers, enhancing job satisfaction.

Finally, regular feedback mechanisms and mentorship programs ensure ongoing support and guidance.

These combined efforts contribute to Britannica's impressive teacher retention rate.

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Britannica’s ASA program is also hugely popular – tell us a little bit about that...
With a diverse array of 140 after-school activities and over 30 competitive sports training sessions spanning 10 sports, our program caters to a wide range of interests and talents.

From creative pursuits to academic enrichment, STEM exploration, sports development, and opportunities for charity and volunteering, students have a wealth of options to choose from.

This comprehensive offering not only fosters personal growth and skill development, but also promotes teamwork, leadership, and a sense of community.

By encompassing such a broad spectrum of activities, we ensure that every student can find avenues to excel, explore, and give back.

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Any new things going on at Britannica in the 2024/25 school year that you are excited about?
Students are already utilizing our new facilities, including a modern fleet of buses for convenient transportation, enhanced science facilities for hands-on learning, and two spacious sports halls for athletic pursuits.

The newly installed state-of-the-art audiovisual setup in the school auditorium will elevate our performances and presentations.

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As mentioned, we have introduced Portuguese, enriching our curriculum to now encompass nine languages, not only broadening cultural horizons but also enhancing global communication skills.

Additionally, we are eager to reignite our overseas trips, reconnecting with schools within the Orbital Education network. These experiences foster cross-cultural understanding and provide unique learning opportunities outside the classroom.

Anticipation is also high for the prestigious BSO Inspection, a pivotal quality assurance process that underscores our commitment to excellence and continuous improvement.

The forthcoming year is brimming with prospects for growth, exploration, and academic excellence, promising a truly enriching educational journey for all.


Arrange a School Tour

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To arrange a bespoke tour of Britannica International School Shanghai and check it out for yourself click here or scan the QR below:

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Britannica International School Shanghai, 1988 Gubei Nan Lu, by Wuzhong Lu 古北南路1988号, 近吴中路


[All images courtesy of Britannica International School Shanghai]

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