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Rachel Leung

Hong Kong’s biggest group of schools catering to English-speaking children is set to adopt a new admissions system whereby pupils entering the first year at one of its kindergartens will be guaranteed a place at an ESF school all the way up to the secondary level.
The English Schools Foundation announced on Friday that from 2020 students will not need to go through interviews at every stage of the education system.
However, the change will only apply to students whose teachers believe they can cope with a mainstream English-medium education.

“When kids are transitioning from kindergarten 1 to kindergarten 2, we will assess their learning level and if they will need extra support,” Belinda Greer, CEO of the ESF, said.
The group runs 22 schools for about 17,700 pupils of more than 60 nationalities.
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Some 295 pupils fill learning support places set aside for students with special needs. These pupils will not be covered by the new policy.
The first batch of children to experience the system will be youngsters entering their first year in September 2023.
“We’ve been listening to our parents and we want to spare them having to go through the unnecessary stress for our students and their families,” Greer said.

The “through train” system means children will only have to attend an initial assessment prior to entering kindergarten.
“Parents and children will meet our teachers for about 45 minutes to see if they’re capable of undergoing our English curriculum,” Allison Banbury, principal of ESF Tung Chung International Kindergarten, said.
The group pledged it would not increase tuition fees due to the change, except for yearly increases to account for inflation.
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The arrangement will only apply to children starting from the first year of kindergarten. Those entering from a later year will not benefit, and will face an application process and interviews for primary school.
Annie Cheung, whose 12-year-old daughter started at an ESF school from Primary Four, welcomed the plan.
“I think this encourages parents to set their minds on whether to have their children undergo the local education system or the ESF curriculum,” said Cheung, who is a spokeswoman for concern group Parents United of Hong Kong.
“Transferring children [into the ESF system] in the middle of their studies, like my daughter did, can be problematic because they may not adapt easily to the different learning styles and language standards.”
Cheung dismissed concerns the plan could make competition fiercer for ESF places in the higher years. She said the interview process had never been easy anyway.


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Education

Children joining Hong Kong’s ESF kindergartens to be guaranteed primary and secondary school spots

The ESF runs 22 schools for about 17,700 pupils of more than 60 nationalities. Photo: Edmond So

Belinda Greer, CEO of the ESF. ESF Announces New Admissions Policy. 08MAR19 SCMP / Edmond So

ESF Announces New Admissions Policy press conference. 08MAR19 SCMP / Edmond So

Medical degree proves popular choice for Hong Kong ESF students who aced International Baccalaureate exams

The 15 pupils studied at four ESF schools. Photo: David Wong

(front L-R): George Shen Hongze; Leo Kim Kyu-Jung; Andrian Chan; Ryan Wan Ming-hui; Lau Chak-kei and Clement Chiu Lek-hin. (back L-R) Yu Wing-sze; Samanwita Sen; Christine Chau Chung-chi; Julie Mulrooney; Isabella Chan Ka-wing; Vivien Lam Hei-man; Stephanie Cheung Nok-man; Julie Hyunjeong Ahin and Beatrice Li Yan-kiu. English Schools Foundation (ESF) announces IB Diploma 2018 results, photographed in Quarry Bay. 08JUL18 SCMP / David Wong

Student Leo Kim Kyu-Jung photographed during the English Schools Foundation (ESF) announces IB Diploma 2018 results, photographed in Quarry Bay. 08JUL18 SCMP / David Wong

Samanwita Sen. English Schools Foundation (ESF) announces IB Diploma 2018 results, photographed in Quarry Bay. 08JUL18 SCMP / David Wong

News

Hong Kong

English Schools Foundation to launch new admissions system from 2020
Students will not need to go through interviews at every stage


English Schools Foundation to launch new admissions system from 2020 that will do away with interviews.


Education in Hong Kong

International schools in Hong Kong

Children joining Hong Kong’s ESF kindergartens to be guaranteed primary and secondary school spots

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}English Schools Foundation to launch new admissions system from 2020 Students will not need to go through interviews at every stage

English Schools Foundation to launch new admissions system from 2020

Students will not need to go through interviews at every stage