From its origins as an educator for the children of wealthy British expatriates, to having schools in which almost half of the students are ethnically Chinese, today's English Schools Foundation has evolved into a diverse institution. With about 15,000 students, it remains the largest provider of English-medium education in the fee-paying sector.
Middle-class Chinese families are increasingly choosing to send their children to ESF schools. More than three-quarters of ESF students are now permanent residents.
The ESF operates nine primary schools, five secondary schools and the Jockey Club Sarah Roe Centre special school, which are subsidised by the government.
Its company, ESF Educational Services, runs three kindergartens, and the 'through-train' private independent schools Renaissance College and Discovery College, which are all self-financing. Discovery College is the latest school to join the ESF family. The through-train school opened last year in temporary premises in Lai King and will begin operating at its new campus in Discovery Bay in August. The college combines a primary and secondary school, and will offer the International Baccalaureate (IB) at all levels.
Curriculum
ESF schools have traditionally offered a modern liberal education based on the National Curriculum of England and Wales. In recent years, however, more schools have begun offering the IB programmes.