Suzannah Denness, school development director at Kellett School, has some sound advice for expatriate parents looking for the right school for their children.
'When selecting a school, parents should consider how long they are going to be in Hong Kong and the transferability of the curriculum,' she says. 'They should also look at the compatibility of it with further education.'
But, most importantly, she says, parents should not be afraid to rely on their gut instincts. 'In my experience parents often underestimate their ability to select the right school for their child. Parents' instincts are rarely wrong; they intuitively know what is right for their child.'
Ms Denness says that Hong Kong has many excellent international schools but they are oversubscribed, despite the economic downturn. Parents expecting to move to Hong Kong 'should plan ahead and register with schools as soon as they know a move is afoot'.
Kellett School has 510 students aged between four and 13. It follows the National Curriculum for England with an additional Putonghua programme. Due to growing pressure on international school places, in particular Year Seven, the school has extended its reach to offer secondary education in Year Seven.
'With year-on-year growth, the aim is to provide places up to Year 11 [age 16], offering IGCSE and GCSE examinations, ultimately extending to full secondary provision up to Year 13 [age 18],' Ms Denness says.
The school is unique in Hong Kong because it is the only parent-owned and operated one. The school's board of governors is elected by the parent body and the governors come from within the parent body.