China buying schools in UK: 1379-founded Wisbech Grammar among 30 now under Chinese owners

Chinese investors have increasingly acquired British private schools in the United Kingdom in recent years, raising concerns among officials about potential influence from the Chinese Communist Party. Over the past decade, more than 30 independent schools have changed hands, with regulators now reviewing additional large purchases.

Sources in the Department for Education and UK security services, quoted by The Sunday Times, said they are worried about the trend but face challenges because China is not included on the government’s enhanced list of countries posing national security risks.

China’s ’long game’ in the UK

A senior government source told The Sunday Times: “China is playing the long game and doing all the things we used to do as an empire. They targeted universities before but have realised it’s easier to start younger. It’s ideological warfare. These children will grow up and be helpful to the Communist Party.”

Labour MP Phil Brickell, a member of the foreign affairs committee, described Britain’s “world-leading education system [as] an obvious target for influence” and said it “should be protected accordingly.” He added: “Successive previous governments have misunderstood the strategic threat posed by China. The government must ensure that British interests are safeguarded.”

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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has resisted calls from security agencies to place China on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), which tracks individuals working for hostile states in the UK.

Between 2017 and 2020, 17 schools were bought, often distressed institutions that investors aimed to fill with Chinese students or use to expand their brand in China.

After a pause during the Covid years, acquisitions picked up again from 2022. By the end of last year, 30 schools were under Chinese ownership. Venture described these purchases as long-term investments with the potential for sustainable growth.

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Notable schools and their acquisition

Notable schools include Thetford Grammar, founded in 1566 and now owned by China Financial Services Holdings, and Wisbech Grammar, established in 1379 and bought by Access Education. Several girls’ schools, including Abbots Bromley and Ipswich High School, began admitting boys after being acquired.

Malvern St James, purchased in February, announced in March that it would accept boys from September to appeal to the “overseas international boarding market,” which favours mixed-sex schools. The decision sparked protests, with some girls wearing pink in objection.