With a 473-year history, Shrewsbury School UK now brings its legacy of whole-person education to India with Shrewsbury International School India in Bhopal. The overwhelming response reflects India’s growing demand for holistic, future-ready learning. Much like its historic Shropshire counterpart, the Bhopal campus offers an ideal setting for young minds to thrive. Combining the British National Curriculum with an Indian perspective, the school fosters intellectual curiosity, leadership, and creativity. With a strong focus on AI and digital learning, it equips students with the skills to navigate an evolving world. As part of Shrewsbury’s global network, this initiative strengthens international education ties and opens doors to global opportunities, redefining excellence in Indian education.

Below is an interaction with Dilip Thakore, Founder-Editor of EducationWorld, and Leo Winkley, Headmaster of Shrewsbury School UK discussing the vision, impact, and future of Shrewsbury International School India.

Shrewsbury International School India supported by Shrewsbury School UK has become operational in Bhopal. How satisfied are you with the public response to this initiative?

It is with immense delight I say that the response to the setting up of Shrewsbury International School India has been very positive and heart-warming. I have learned from the India team that a lot of interactions and meetings have happened at pan-India level and the regional level, for instance in Dubai, as well, and they have been extremely productive, resulting in fruitful exchanges. Shrewsbury International School India draws on the rich legacy and iconic positioning of Shrewsbury School UK and this has resonated with parents and students in India as well. Our vision for India is as singular and we are very encouraged and motivated in seeing that parents and students in India value whole-person education. Shrewsbury School UK is committed to holistic education and now that it blends the best of British independent schooling with a strong Indian perspective through the establishment of Shrewsbury International School India, I eagerly look forward to the setting up of a unique educational landscape in India. My visit to the meticulously designed 150-acre India campus with contemporary standards in academics, sports, and performing arts, has yet again reinstated my belief in this rewarding partnership that will bring the best of global education to central India.

What were the motives and inspiration behind establishing an affiliated school in India?

India is a nation that appreciates the value of top-quality education. At Shrewsbury School UK, expanding internationally has been one of our foremost priorities, not so much from expanding the footprints but opening up the best of whole-person education to all. The objective is to prepare pupils for the modern world in the comfort of their local environment so that they not only understand global scenarios but are able to make transformative changes in their immediate surroundings as well. The history of education in India is magnificent and holds a deeply-rooted cultural significance. This certainly aligns in many ways with the British approach to education, which also holds a historic reputation globally.

In today’s age, the school education environment in India presents significant opportunities for international educators. The educational aspirations of Indian pupils and families have increased immensely; and the UK, for one, has long been a prominent destination for Indian students. However, to support the rising demand of the Indian audience for global exposure, we believed that it was the right decision to open our next campus in India. It certainly supports our goals of developing an international family of schools and will help us fulfil our commitment towards delivering a diverse and enriching educational environment to learners worldwide.

Jagran Social Welfare Society (JSWS), our Indian partner, approached us with this proposition at the right time. During February 2023, we forged a visionary collaboration to together establish the first international campus of Shrewsbury School UK in India. This partnership signifies Shrewsbury’s commitment to offer holistic education and is poised to make meaningful progress by incorporating the best practices from both British and Indian education systems.

According to most Indians, Bhopal is a surprising location for an affiliate of the 600- year vintage Shrewsbury School UK. What’s your comment?

Shrewsbury School in the UK is located in Shropshire, in the heart of England, and offers a tranquil countryside atmosphere. I believe that smaller cities and towns offer a more favourable environment for children to grow in than the bigger metro cities. So far, I had only heard interesting things about Bhopal, but now that I am here, I witness that the Shrewsbury India campus in the city combines natural beauty with contemporary excellence.

Both Shropshire and Bhopal, though culturally and geographically distinctive, provide a perfect blend of abundant green spaces and a peaceful environment, therefore fostering a calm and family-oriented lifestyle. This allows for an ideal setting for the development of children, making cities like Bhopal a favourable place for young minds to thrive.

What do you believe will be the distinguishing features of primary-secondary education provided by Shrewsbury International School India?

As I reflect upon the school’s ideology behind imparting whole-person education to its pupils, the academic model and curriculum at Shrewsbury International School India are carefully designed to equip young minds for success in today’s ever-changing world.

Education at Shrewsbury is all about cultivating inquisitive minds and nurturing future leaders. This perfectly aligns with the transformative shift that I notice in the Indian education system. There has been a major emphasis on creating a quality-driven education system in India, and I am proud to say that our Indian counterpart will soon become an important and indispensable part of making this vision a reality.

From Grade 6 to Grade 12, each year will hold significance in a pupil’s overall development at the school. Pupils will be guided by a fully-customised British National Curriculum targetted to match their individual needs and interests. It will encompass a wide array of subjects, with Maths, Science, English, and a selection of foreign and Indian languages as the core disciplines. Additionally, the school will offer over 30 subjects for pupils to choose from, providing more opportunities for personalized learning.

Learning at Shrewsbury will not just be limited to the academic offerings, but is balanced by an equal emphasis on practical and intellectually stimulating opportunities provided to its pupils outside the classroom. For example, numerous activities including sports, music, dance, and dramatics are a part of the curriculum, so in case a pupil has a knack for any or is interested in any of these – more time will be dedicated towards these activities instead of pursuing additional subjects in higher grades.

Moreover, pupils would also get a chance to be a part of vibrant student societies and clubs, getting an opportunity to compete with others and explore new interests. Like in the UK, the wider curriculum at Shrewsbury India includes an additional non-examined course in Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) that is aimed at promoting physical and mental wellbeing to nurture a positive mind set among pupils during their time on campus.

In addition to this, the Futures Department at Shrewsbury will play a pivotal role in guiding pupils towards their future goals. Through personalized career advice and mentorship, pupils will receive tailored support to help them explore and pursue their aspirations, ensuring that they are equipped with the skills, knowledge and confidence to thrive in their chosen paths.

Is Shrewsbury International School India your first affiliate overseas? If not, what has been the progress of your other affiliated schools abroad?

Shrewsbury School in the UK boasts an extraordinary legacy that spans over 473 years, and expanding internationally has been a key part of our growth. Shrewsbury International School India is the fifth member of the Shrewsbury global family. It marks an exciting milestone for us as it will be the first residential school campus outside the United Kingdom.

In addition to the India campus, we currently have four day boarding campuses in Asia: two in Thailand, and one each in Hong Kong and Cambodia. The opening of the India campus further strengthens our commitment towards offering world-class education to pupils across the globe.

How prepared is the vintage Shrewsbury UK for the new digital and AI age?

Shrewsbury School UK is an institution that is steeped in history and has continued to evolve with the times.

A part of my visit to the Indian campus also involves honouring one of our esteemed alumni, Charles Darwin. His, is indeed, a remarkable legacy that has inspired generations of pupils at Shrewsbury. In his spirit, we remain committed to an education that adapts to meet the challenges of the present and embrace opportunities of the future. Technology and AI are the defining factors of the century we live in and any educational institution that wants to bring out impactful change has to embrace these.

I am thrilled to see how our India campus is already making progress towards integrating the latest digital and AI technology in its education model. The school plans to be at the forefront of Information and Tech initiatives, aiming to equip pupils with skills to succeed in an increasingly digital world. The 160,000 sq. ft. academic block will house classrooms and laboratories thoughtfully designed as modern digital workspaces, providing pupils with opportunities to explore new ideas. Moreover, hands-on labs for innovative subjects such as Design and Technology, Science and Astronomy will provide interactive learning experiences.

Keeping in line with our vision, this campus will not only embrace technology but also foster the development of responsible, thoughtful leaders who can navigate the digital future. I believe that this will be a cornerstone representing the school’s dedication to providing high- quality education that prepares pupils to thrive in the digital age.

How optimistic are you about the future of Shrewsbury UK and Shrewsbury India?

Extremely! At Shrewsbury School UK, we continue to build on a legacy that dates back over four centuries, and our team is all the more excited to extend this rich heritage to a country that continues to evolve dynamically on the global front. India’s appetite for world-class education is growing, and we see a tremendous opportunity to bring Shrewsbury’s values of holistic development, intellectual curiosity, and leadership to a new generation of pupils. The synergy between our schools will create an exchange of ideas, opportunities, and a shared ethos that would strengthen both institutions. This one-of-a-kind tie-up would have a positive and impactful effect on the wider educational landscape of central India and would be immensely rewarding for all. The future is bright, and we look forward to shaping it with the same spirit of excellence that has defined Shrewsbury for centuries.

Also read: Shrewsbury International Headmaster: Dominic Tomalin