The Durham Chinese School (DCS thereafter) was originally founded in 1998 by Dr Jinping Du and Dr Wenbin Wei. In 2002, Dr Yan Liu took over the running of the school as Head of the school with supports from CANER (Chinese Association North East Region) and Durham Sixth Form College. DCS is an incorporated members’ club in its legal definition teaching Mandarin and promoting Chinese culture. In 2005 the school entered into partnership with Durham Johnston School, where its classes have been held since. In September 2012, in its 15th year, the school relocated to Elvet Hill House, Durham University, adjacent to Durham Oriental Museum.
In 2002 there were approximately 10 students but student numbers have grown rapidly over the last 20 years. The school provides language classes and interest clubs every Sunday during term time. There are now seven language teachers, three interest club teachers for Chinese dancing for children and adults, Chinese art and chess. The governing body of DCS consists of a management committee of four volunteers. There is also a Parent-Teacher Association with 4 volunteers.
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Classroom in Gilesgate Sixth Form 2002-2005 | Classroom in Durham Johnston Crossgate Moor 2009-2012 |
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Classroom in Durham University since 2012 | Year 2018 School Committee Members |
DCS is outstandingly successesful in educating children in Mandarin language and Chinese culture and achieving outstanding results in nationally recognised examinations. It also has a successful track record of collaboration and partnerships with local mainstream schools, education authority, providing teaching resources and know-how and attracting external funding for educational and cultural purposes. The School is believed to be the only organisation in the County Durham area to provide Mandarin teaching for children from five years old.
Mandarin is the official language in Mainland China, Taiwan and Singapore, and used by ethnic Chinese worldwide. DCS believes that with the increase of China’s political and economic influence in international arena and with an increasingly globalised world impacting on every walk of life which is visible increasingly boldly, strengthening education in Chinese language and increasing awareness of Chinese culture will benefit the communities in the City and County of Durham and beyond.
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Current School Committee Members and Teachers |
Lead System Engineer at CEM, part of Cambridge Assessment and Cambridge University Press
Associate Professor (Reader) in the Department of Engineering at Durham University
Lecturer in Cybersecurity and Networks at Teesside University
Finance Director of JP Linc Accountants Limited
TBC
Miss Qinmeng Wu
TBC
Miss Yang Liu
Ms Xiannan Hu
Miss Shijing Fu
Ms Lin Wang
Miss May Lai
Mr Yongqiang Pan
Miss Yanbing Qian
Ms Yan Ma
Miss Yiran Liu
Ms Jane Xian
Miss Yizhuo Ma
Ms Meihua Gan
Miss Wenjun Jiang