What secondary schools teach Mandarin GCSE ?

[maisiewaysie]

I'm thinking of moving back to UK from HK within the next year and am searching for a state school/independent secondary school that teaches GCSE mandarin for my son who is now 13 (which is Year 8). Hopefully to find one in the surrey area as I have relatives living in Cheam (Surrey) area. I'm hoping to find one where he can take mandarin as an alternative to French/Spanish etc. So one less language to pick up as he will already have to speed up his English Language knowledge.

I think that most schools that offer GCSE Mandarin would do so in addition to a modern European language rather than as an alternative.

I think Trinity School in Croydon (independent) does. It certainly teaches it to GCSE level, but I am not sure whether you could do it as the only language. If your Ds would be going into Y9 though, he would still need a second language for the year before GSCE courses actually start (assuming he doesn't do Latin). They might be willing to find an alternative route.

Think Homewood School & Sixth Form Centre at Tenterden in Kent offers it.

Epsom College is the obvious choice - very close to Cheam but day fees are over £20,000 pa. Tenterden is the wrong side of Kent for Surrey.

I would choose a secondary school you think will suit your son irrespective of the Mandarin provision. Many private schools offer Mandarin GCSE on timetable. But most would facilitate it off timetable, if needed, for a child who is a fluent/advanced speaker. Most state schools could help you arrange it too. If your son is a (near) native speaker of Mandarin and speaks English, he will not find GCSE takes up much of his time.

Ibstock place school in Barnes teaches GSCE Mandarin, but the requirement is to do two languages, so he would have to do one more. Not sure how far Barnes is from Cheam, but transport links are okay. Good luck

Also just fyi, there is a Chinese school in Sutton...mingtak.webs.com
if you wanted to have more flexibility and just do it on a Saturday.