From left: Josephine Wheeler (BBC producer & interviewer), Haining Liu (BBC Chinese broadcaster), Henry (Y5 student) and Philip Sohmen (Founder of YK Pao School)
On 2 March, Philip Sohmen appeared on the BBC's 'City of Youth - Shanghai/The Compass' series. The BBC selected Philip for an interview because of his rich experience in Shanghai's education sector.
“City of Youth – Shanghai/The Compass” The aim of this series will be to explore how Shanghai is a major and important global and economic force and how young people in the city are finding their dreams here in work, life and leisure. We will visit young people in their homes, at work, entertainment and those who are building new businesses through entrepreneurship, and we will discuss how they find happiness in life in this vibrant city.
Philip Sohmen: The country has been growing so incredibly fast in the past three decades. One of the things that wasn't changing as fast was education. I was lucky enough to be able to go to some wonderful schools in the UK and had a lot of exposure there to music, sports, the arts, drama. I remember I played Lady MacBeth in a play so it was a quite an experience. I just felt these were the types of experiences that were very formative but many students here did not have the opportunity to go through, so I started thinking about the idea of bringing a school where we could offer this type of rich and varied programme but combine that and root it in the academic rigour and strengths of a Chinese education.
Josephine Wheeler: This is very different from Chinese state schools, because I used to visit typical Chinese schools. Obviously, the students won't seem so lively, especially when there are teachers around.
Philip Sohmen: What I've seen with younger families in particular here now is the emphasis on the happiness and health of the child is much more than perhaps other cities and older generations. The families are no longer willing to perhaps sacrifice everything on the altar of academic or examinations success. They want a much more balanced approach for their children.
Josephine Wheeler: It all seems pretty idyllic. Children walking around reading Harry Potter speaking at least two languages and learning about different cultures. But there is a danger that it could only end up benefiting an elite few.
Philip Sohmen: I think there are certain ideas here (at Pao School) that other schools are able to learn from. For example it doesn't have to be something very expensive that requires high tuition fees. Having children play outside during break - you don't necessarily see that at a lot of public schools because there are concerns about the health and safety of the children if there are injuries, but this is something that we do, and when visitors come and see that happening, it's very inspirational. I think China will be a very different place in 10 or 20 years. The face of the city (Shanghai) has changed immeasurably. We are trying to prepare students to succeed in that world of the future.
Year 5 student Henry: I was born in England but I moved here when I was two because my mom and dad thought it was better if I learn another culture. My mom is from England and my dad is from China.
Josephine Wheeler: So you grew up in the city. How do you like it?
Henry: It's fascinating how lots of different types of people can all live together in one place and we all share our cultures.
Philip Sohmen: Henry, Do you see yourself as living in Shanghai in the future? Would you want to live here or would you like to live elswhere?
Henry: I would like to live here. My mom wishes I could be a civil engineer, which sounds quite fun, but I'm not that good at math.
