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Q Has the ESF done enough to put its house in order?

I have decided to 'talkback' in the hope I can contribute to public understanding of improvements being made throughout the English Schools Foundation. I do so as principal of an ESF school, chairman of the ESF's academic committee and a member of the new executive.

At every level the winds of change are tangible: change of leadership - Felice Lieh Mak and Heather Du Quesnay; change of executive, changes in transparency and openness; changes in pay; changes in school monitoring and self-evaluation; changes to vision and mission statements and changes to the capacity of the education officer team to support school development and many more.

So, to answer your question, has the ESF done enough, my answer would be no. It is no because when you are committed to change and to progress, you never reach a point when you say yes to this question. There will always be work to be done.

The winds of change in the ESF have been blowing for many months and we are moving on. There will be those who have failed to notice the change and prefer to 'dance in the rain'. We do not intend to be beleaguered or becalmed with them. We are moving on and I dare suggest that those with Hong Kong's children at heart (70 per cent of ESF's students are permanent residents) and Hong Kong's Asian world city image at heart, will recognise the momentum and move on with us.

Brian Driver, principal, West Island School

ESF has shown it is an organisation capable of identifying difficulties - an organisation that is willing and able to change. Examples of this from the past nine months include scrupulous attention to stakeholder participation in appointments, plus improved communication. Both have contributed to a tangible transformation in culture and have been appreciated by parents.

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