Britannica International School, Shanghai

The stage didn’t just come alive this week—it exploded with energy! Our incredibly talented Secondary students delivered not one, but two showstopping performances of Shrek the Musical this week. Audiences were treated to a high-energy, utterly captivating production that showcased not only the students’ artistic talents, but also their sheer dedication and teamwork. Both cast and crew played a starring role in bringing the magic to life. From bold, confident performances on stage to the seamless magic of lighting, costumes, and scene changes. Every single detail reflected the hard work and commitment of our students.
Bravo, everyone! Well done on your outstanding achievements.

Literacy Week was a truly fantastic celebration of reading, writing and communication, with children across the school enthusiastically taking part in a wide range of exciting activities, including story starters, vocabulary games, book cover design, reading relays and character charades. These activities encouraged imagination, teamwork and confidence, while helping children to develop key literacy skills in fun and memorable ways.
One of the biggest highlights of the week, as always, was World Book Day. The school was filled with colour and excitement as children and staff dressed as their favourite book characters. The costume parade was a joyful celebration of books and storytelling, and the class posters showcased the children’s love of reading in a wonderfully creative way. It was a magical day that captured the spirit of the entire week.

We are delighted to announce that our Primary school has been awarded White Rose Champion status — a prestigious accreditation that recognises excellence in mathematics teaching, sustained professional development and outstanding partnership with families. This accreditation both recognises the progress we have made and commits us to continuous improvement. We will continue to use White Rose guidance to inform planning, assessment and classroom practice, ensuring that every pupil benefits from the very best in primary mathematics education.
We are proud of this achievement and grateful to our teachers and parents for their dedication. This recognition underlines our ambition: committed educators, supported by families and partners, working together to secure the best possible outcomes for every learner.

This week, our school was proud to host an inspiring KS3 Leadership Conference, welcoming visiting students and staff from Albania, Spain, and Slovenia. It has been a truly unforgettable week, filled with cooperation, personal growth, and the forging of new international friendships. The conference began with a series of engaging guest speakers who challenged our students to think critically about what it means to be a leader. Students from all four countries collaborated in workshops, sharing ideas and developing their communication and teamwork skills. It was wonderful to watch language barriers dissolve as students discovered their shared passions and learned from one another’s perspectives.

Beyond the conference hall, our guests experienced the best of our local area through a programme of cultural trips. Highlights included exploring fascinating museum exhibitions, a scenic river cruise, and a visit to the beautiful water town of Qibao, where students gained a deeper appreciation for our Shanghai's heritage. The week concluded on a celebratory note with a trip to Disneyland, a fitting finale that allowed students to relax and bond after days of hard work. The joy and laughter shared in the park were testament to the strong friendships that have been formed over the past few days.

This conference has been a tremendous success across the board. We are immensely proud of our KS3 students, who were exemplary hosts and demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities. We extend heartfelt thanks to our partner schools from Albania, Spain, and Slovenia for their wonderful engagement and spirit. These experiences have forged lifelong memories, and we eagerly anticipate strengthening these global ties moving forward.

Our sincere thanks go to our visiting schools from Albania, Spain, and Slovenia for their participation and enthusiasm. We have created memories that will last a lifetime and look forward to nurturing these international connections in the future.

Day 1: Orbital Education Leadership Conference — A Dynamic Start in Shanghai

Today we launched the inaugural Orbital Education Leadership Conference with an energetic opening ceremony featuring traditional Chinese drumming alongside lion and dragon dances. The spectacle set a powerful tone for a week of learning, collaboration and cultural exchange.

Following the ceremony, students took part in two leadership sessions. The first explored cultural awareness and empathy, encouraging pupils to listen actively, recognise different perspectives and build inclusive teams. The second, Leadership in Action, focused on practical skills — decision making, teamwork and taking initiative — giving students tools they can use straight away in school and community projects.

In the afternoon the group enjoyed a guided cultural excursion to Tianzifang, where narrow lanes, local crafts and contemporary art offered rich insights into Shanghai’s creative spirit. The day concluded with a lively group dinner and a British quiz, providing the perfect informal setting for students from Spain, Slovenia, Albania and Shanghai to bond and reflect on the day’s learning.

A successful first day: inspiring, practical and full of opportunity. Stay tuned for more highlights as the conference continues.

We're honoured to welcome young leaders from Orbital schools for an inspiring week of workshops, discussions, and team challenges focused on confident, empathetic leadership.

This global gathering embodies our shared mission to nurture responsible leaders who connect across cultures and make a positive impact.

Stay tuned for highlights from this exciting event! 🏆

🌍 KS3 Leadership Summit in Shanghai ✨

We’re excited to announce that students from across the Orbital Education community of schools will soon come together in Shanghai for the upcoming KS3 Leadership Summit, hosted by Britannica International School, Shanghai

The summit will bring together young leaders from several of our international schools for a programme designed to help them develop their leadership skills, collaborate with peers, and share ideas. Through workshops, discussions, and team activities, students will explore what it means to lead with confidence, empathy, and responsibility.

It will also be a fantastic opportunity for students to connect with peers from different countries and cultures, building friendships and strengthening the global spirit of Orbital Education schools.

We’re looking forward to seeing our students take part in this exciting event and can’t wait to share highlights from the summit soon! 🌟

🔗 Read more: https://orbital.education/news/ks3-leadership-summit-in-shanghai

Next week, we will kick off our inaugural Shanghai Student Leadership Forum, welcoming 70 talented students from Orbital Education schools in Spain, Slovenia, and Albania! Together with our Shanghai students, they will engage in a week of dynamic leadership development sessions.
Participants will explore essential topics such as cultural awareness, empathy, ethical leadership, and responsibility. This unique opportunity promises to inspire the next generation of leaders to make a positive impact both locally and globally.
Stay tuned for updates and insights from this remarkable gathering!

To celebrate the Spring Festival in the Year of the Horse, our Mandarin Department organised a vibrant and engaging cultural event. Students from across the year's groups delighted the audience with a wide range of performances. The celebration highlighted students’ creativity, confidence and growing understanding of Chinese traditions. This meaningful and enjoyable event brought our school community together to welcome the Chinese New Year.