Eastbourne College Performs at the 2026 China–UK Youth Cultural & Arts Exchange at the Royal Festival Hall
Eastbourne College was honoured to be the only UK school invited to take part in the 2026 China–UK Youth Cultural & Arts Exchange at the Royal Festival Hall in London on Monday 2 February. The event welcomed more than 2,000 audience members and featured Eastbourne College alongside seven leading schools from China presenting an impressive mix of traditional dance, instrumental music and cultural performance on one of London’s most iconic stages.
Pupils from Eastbourne College presented a varied programme, with a sequence of choral and instrumental works and a lively set of musical numbers from Guys and Dolls, the sell‑out College production from last year.
Reflecting on the evening, Eastbourne College’s Director of Music, Dan Jordan said, “Seeing our pupils step out onto that stage and perform with such poise was incredibly special. The atmosphere in the hall, the level of talent from our Chinese counterparts and the shared sense of celebration made it a night none of us will forget.”
Parents who attended were equally delighted. Lydia Jourdain shared, “It was wonderful to see Eastbourne College represented on a stage of that scale. It was a great evening and we were all enormously proud.”
Event organiser, Leon Zhang from RG Holidays Ltd, also praised the College’s involvement, saying, “It was a pleasure to welcome Eastbourne College to this year’s Exchange. Their contribution brought real energy and artistry to the programme, and it was inspiring to see all the performers share the stage so confidently. The whole evening felt joyful, collaborative and full of promise.”
The Exchange provided a memorable way to bring young people together through the universal language of performance and Eastbourne College’s selection as the only UK representative highlights the School’s artistic ambition and the quality of its performing arts provision.
Being chosen as the only UK representative is a huge endorsement of the College’s creative ambition. The Royal Festival Hall provided a wonderful backdrop for a memorable night that showcased the skill and hard work of our pupils. It was a proud moment for everyone involved.
