the school issue is really a problem.
In Singapore, there is always a fall back plan (well documented on previous threads)
Fellatio, I assume you want to keep them in a british curriculum school?
In Hong Kong, unless you can fork out the $200,00 a pop debentures at Kellet (british school), then you would opt for an ESF school and you would actually have to be here to get any sort of confirmation as they go by catchment areas and for that you need an address.
We have been here since december and DS is still waitisted at Bradbury and no chance he will get in mid-year.
The peak school seems to have more places coming up and I know for a fact that they are more lax with catchment areas and will take applications for neighboring affluent areas. We could get a place there but I can not stomach the steep drive up and down twice a day.
Quarry bay should have more places as it is somehow less popular but I think that's just because its further out and there are 2 schools in posher areas for expats-on-a-package, so less people apply as first choice.
But I assume yours are senior school now? worth calling the admission officers for a heart to heart.
Now for ESF, something to bear in mind is the fast track summer relocation. They WILL give places to UK families relocating under short notice over the summer. you can not chose the school but its almost garanteed you would get a place.
Its a strategical game, apply now or wait and play all your cards in june.
For most other prominent international schools, children are assessed before they are allowed on the waitlist upon satisfacory completion of the test (from simple interview in infant school to full blown academic tests - some schools will do written tests + interview from Year 1 onwards). Bear in mind that the child needs to be in Hong Kong to sit the tests. The sooner the better.
Please don't let that stress you out, but you need to know what the situation is or prepare yourself for homeschooling/private tuition.