Impact

Qualitative

There will be a lasting impact for Swire Chinese Language Programme students, particularly those that visited China and those from socioeconomically deprived areas.  These students’ eyes have been opened to an important world that is very different to their own; they have studied something few of their peers have studied; and they have gained in confidence. Those that have struggled with other subjects have experienced the value of engaging with at least one subject where there has been no experience of failure, which has in turn often impacted positively on their performance in other subjects. Students’ aspirations and opportunities have expanded.

Through the teaching of Mandarin Chinese to the upcoming generation, we are helping build the foundations for a stronger engagement with China. This is now more important than ever and in 2025 the Foundation contributed its findings to the government’s UK-China capability audit. Over time, we hope that continuing to expand the learning of Mandarin Chinese in Britain will enable future generations to develop a greater understanding of China.

In June 2025, the Harris Federation made a film in partnership with the Swire Chinese Language Federation and Swire Chinese Language Centre London focusing on their work to shape the provision of Mandarin teaching in UK state schools. You can view the film here.

A selection of China trip reports can be viewed here.

Quantitative

Throughout the duration of the programme, Mandarin has continued to be taught to a high standard to an increasing number of pupils within the curriculum. 58,000 state school children have benefited from exposure to an important language and culture that they otherwise would not have had the opportunity to study.

You can download a copy of our most recent Annual Report and Accounts here.