Secondary schools in HK

[JeanneDoe]

Hi there
Can anyone advise a good secondary school for a girl in HK. Ideally single sex, following British curriculum. Money no object (company paying) and they have debentures at most schools.
In the UK we were looking at Jags and Wimbledon High, for context. Daughter relatively sporty (hockey, tennis) and academic.

Looking at a 2023 start so no major rush. Just starting the research.
Thanks for any insight.

Hi there. Unfortunately there are no single sex international schools in Hong Kong (like you I'd prefer a girls secondary for DD). The British curriculum schools are Kellett, Harrow and Nord Anglia. Of those, Kellett probably has the best sports programme, or at least ambitions in that direction (has just overhauled their sports programme and new staff). It is not a selective school but the academics are improving and the value add is strong. It's a first choice school so can be a bit fussier in terms of admissions than some of the newer franchises, which is a good thing. However, school sport in general is extremely underdeveloped in HK vs UK independent sector and most competitive sport is played through club teams, of which there are a number.

The other thing to be aware of, (because the schools wont tell you) is that the international secondary schools in HK are very thinly populated with expat kids, particularly from Year 9, when there is an exodus to home country boarding schools. Of the three I mentioned, Kellett has most expats. Harrow is almost entirely local/ mainland (It has weekly boarding). Nord Anglia is majority local. This does obviously impact the culture of the school. Local kids are extremely academically focused to the exclusion of most other things. This can make teen sport in HK quite thin and they can end up in adult teams from 14 or so.

Local secondary schools do have single sex and are legally an option but I think would be impossible to get into a good one without sitting the local tests and honestly, I wouldn't recommend it - huge culture shock and increasing political interference with curriculum.

For transparency: my DC go to Kellett- oldest Year 6 - will go on to Year 7&8 but we will likely be back to UK before Year 9.

If there are any other schools you're considering, feel free to mention and I can try to help.

hello OP.

I'm in complete agreement with Insert.
DS is in year 9 and whilst timing is appalling we are heading back to London this summer. For many reasons, but also because junior simply has no western peers he's particularly close to. Whilst the quality of education at secondary is good enough, most kids go back to their home countries to board.
Actually a number of local kids from DS class are off the the UK this month.

Kellett for sure would be the obvious choice, but also check out ESF. They are all run differently but I know West Island is a good one. it is IB though. The French international has an English stream, but also IB.

I will say that most international schools are mostly filled with locals, who chat in Cantonese, despite being asked not to.

I will also say that club life is where western friendships are made. Hong Kong Football Club, HK Cricket Club, American Club all full of sport. And the FCC, which is a swanky journalist Club so hopeless for kids. But very lovely all the same.

The Club at Repulse Bay is a great place...swimming, tennis, performance art . probably best for youngsters, but the drama department is great.

Do you have the option for membership ? That may well be your saving grace. football club has hockey and tennis, and many more sports teams.

Good luck!

ex-ESF here. If anything, we discriminated/bullied people from local schools/spoke cantonese so would say defo the opposite. maybe in the newer intl schools its like this but ESF absolutely not - if anything I'd say there's a major problem with local kids having a white superiority problem