23 Jul 2024
This is my second visit to Marlborough College. For a readout of how my guest lecture was received there in 2021, please see https://www.marlboroughcollege.org/2021/12/pupil-review-of-asiatic-society-talk/
Marlborough College never fails to impress me. I’m ever impressed by its history nestled in a very picturesque part of the country. I am impressed by how simultaneously you can feel calm in the secluded grounds, yet inspired by all that the college has to offer in terms of academic endeavour and that overall holistic approach to helping its community grow.
As a former Member of Parliament and Secretary of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for International Students, an active member of the APPG for Universities, and someone with a longstanding interest in private education in the UK and overseas, I am particularly impressed by how internationally minded the college continues to be. Its student body is buzzing with different cultures and even has an overseas campus in Malaysia.
Indeed, when I met with the senior leadership at Marlborough College yesterday the school was in the midst of a bustling Summer camp.
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The sector is of course faced with an ever-changing environment, including the proposed introduction of VAT for fee payers. Therefore the leading institutions will continue to find ways to ensure that their student bodies receive the best education possible.
I had an interesting time with the opportunity to talk about some of my experiences supporting British education in the Far East, including in China and Japan.
As the Chinese say 活到老学到老。