A school with strong links to China says it is business as usual, despite the worldwide spread of the coronavirus, which originated in the country. 

St Bees School announced this week it was a finalist in the Greater China Awards, organised by the Department for International Trade. 

It has been shortlisted for its innovative work in (and with) China, which includes opening two new St Bees campuses there. 

While the coronavirus has hit the headlines, however, a spokesman for St Bees said there was no immediate impact at the 500-year-old school. 

She added: “St Bees School is operating as normal, as the school has no Chinese students at present.

“In line with recommendations provided by Public Health England, there are no plans for students or staff to travel to China at present, nor are we receiving visitors from China during this time.”

She moved to reassure people that it was taking the same precautions as any other business with international links. 

It has opened two campuses in China – a primary school in Shijiazhuang, around 950 miles from the ‘ground zero’ of the coronovirus, Wuhan, and a high school in the Guangdong Province, about 630 miles away. 

So far there are 17,200 confirmed cases of the virus in China and 361 people have died. British nationals have been flown into the UK and are currently in quarantine.

St Bees officials have been working closely with their counterparts in China, but the schools in the country, which will both bear the St Bees name, have yet to welcome the first cohort of students through their doors. 

The first pupils are scheduled to begin in September. 

It is hoped pupils will be able to take part in exchanges to fully benefit from the school’s ‘fusion curriculum’, which it says aims to integrate the best of Eastern and Western teaching. 

Speaking about the award nomination, headteacher Roger Sinnett said: “To be named finalist is a clear credit to our team. Our teachers are passionate about helping children thrive. 

“Creating opportunities for our students to engage both mentally and physically with the Chinese language and culture undoubtedly will continue to influence our world and will make a huge difference to their lives and future careers.”