Primary schools in Hong Kong for entry Sept 2012 - Help

[lindem]

Hi all HK mums!

We are potentially (if we can get school places) relocating to Hong Kong from West London this summer and the girls would need to start school in Hong Kong in September.

My oldest is turning 7 in Sept 2012 and would be starting Yr2 here in Sept. She is attending an independent West London Day school. Middle girl is turning 5 in Nov 2012 and would be starting reception here in Sept (at the same school as older daughter). My youngest will be 3 in Oct 2012 and would start reception in 2014.

I have a few questions, if anyone has time to answer it would be hugely appreciated!
1, From reading other threads on this forum I expect it will be hardest to get middle girl into reception, is this correct?
2, ESF schools, will this be an issue for a child that has been attending an English school? Differences? Would it be possible to move back to the independent English system?
3, Will the year they start school in the ESF system be the same as their birthdays are between Sept and Dec? If not would they start earlier or later?
4, Does anyone have any experience in getting into the Kellett School? Is this a possibility if you get a debenture?

We are planning to live on HK Island as we both work.

Thanks very much in advance!

Hi there

In no particular order-
Yes, reception is the hardest year group. But ESF schools start at Year 1. They run on the Australian school year. For example my son who was in reception when we arrived from the uk would have gone into year 1 in esf as he has a pre Christmas birthday. My other son with a post Christmas birthday would have kept the same school year. This was a worry prior to visiting esf schools but saw it would be no problem at all once we met with them. They are used to this situation.
Esf schools run the PYP early years (IB) and if it's done well it's a fantastic program. I see no problem with returning to school in the uk. It only becomes a consideration further up in senior school from what I can gather.
You can apply from the uk to esf. Chances of August entry are slim but none the less worth a try. We arrived in December of my sons reception year and would not have had to wait long for a place.
This year has been a particularly big year for people in HK not getting their year 1 place. I know somebody who has lived here for 8 years who did not get her year 1 place. But remember its not done by wait lists but catchement on address. You have to live in the school area. Once in the school you can move out of this area.

If you can get a debenture then great. I think I have said it before on this board. Companies need to understand the nature of the beast when sending families to HK. If they want to send you on short notice then they need to be prepared for the cost.

We moved here within 6 weeks from job offer to landing. We received a debenture ( this officially puts you to the too of the wait list in my school, does not automatically guarantee the place), and we're lucky enough to get the places. I don't know anybody who paid a debenture and didn't get the place. Funny that

I have no experience of the Kellett but hear it is a great school. Bear in mind that soon they open a new secondary building in Kowloon Tong (?) and they will open up new primary classes at this location also. Check with the school.

The best thing you can do is call and speak to all the admissions yourself. I would not leave this to a relocater. We did initially but they are not as invested as you and they are happy to take the answer given. You need to be a little bit persistent but not stressed about it. Hong kong and school places are just phrases that don't go together!!
However, that all said, if you have looked at other threads you will know that alot of the kindergartens here put on primary classes to cater for kids waiting. Thus is the norm. I did not want to take this route when thinking about it from the uk. But given my 3 years here, it would not be a worry to me if I had to do it again.
Wait lists change all the time. It is very transient here.
Also, knowing how it feels, but I would not not come to HK because of the lack of a year 1/ reception place in August. I would take the kindy option and wait it out. The experience far outweighs the short term stress regarding the schools.

There are plenty of other international schools to look at which have international streams. Most of which run IB. French international, German/ Swiss. Dependent upon how long you are here, Canadian has a great reputation. There is a huge list.

I do feel for you having done this. It's a worry but in my opinion not a deal breaker.

Good luck !!!

Thank you so much!

Hi again HK mums,

I have now applied for various schools and we are coming to HK for a pre-visit in June. Does anyone have any experience of the Korean international School, the International Montessori School, Delia (Canadian) School or Glenealy school (ESF)?

Thanks!

Hi there,

Whilst I can't comment on the schools you mention (my LO too young to have experienced this as yet) I can suggest the following resources which should be useful to you in your search.

1. HK Mum's group on Facebook. Nearly 2000 mums who will answer any questions you may have/ provide their insight & advice. Look up "Hong Kong Moms" and ask to join the Group - send me a message if this is a challenge as I/ a member who is your 'friend' on FB may need to add you

1. The various schooling consultants in HK. If you make an appointment with one of these when you are over in HK they can talk you through all the schools and what strategy you might follow in applying. Try www.topschools.hk

Good luck with this. Not easy but a challenge that you will get through and is worth it! HK Rocks :)

The thing is that you will get a lot of individual opinions on each school, but prob not enough unconflicting ones to make a firm decision.

IMS- depends if you like Montessouri or not. I have a friend who took her kids out after a term as the lack of structure was meaning they messed about all day - however, have other friends with more "serious", academically focused children who like it, so I think the child needs to not be the type to take advantage of an unstructured environment.

• Glenealy- all the ESF primaries have a good reputation but remember that the class sizes are a lot bigger than most of the international schools. However, they're also a lot cheaper and some argue that the social mix is better as a result.

Dont know anything about Delia or Koren I'm afraid.