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Admissions: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Filter FAQs:

General Admissions FAQs

1. What happens if an applicant’s priority status changes?

An applicant’s priority status may change, for example, through making a Nomination Rights application or as a result of a sibling gaining entry to an ESF school. In such cases, the applicant will be placed on the waiting list in their newly acquired priority group according to the date the priority change occurred.

2. When should I submit applications to ESF schools for my children?

Parents may submit one online application for admission for the current academic year or for the following academic year for ESF primary or secondary, Discovery College or Renaissance College. There are waiting lists at each of our schools and the offer of a place is dependent on vacancy being available.

Central Applications for K1 for ESF Kindergartens , Year 1 for ESF primary schools, Discovery College and Renaissance College and Year 7 will open in September. Those who are applying for years other than Year 1 and Year 7 need to apply through General Applications.

3. How should I apply for school places other than Year 1 or Year 7?

For General Applications, parents may submit an online general application for admission for the current academic year or the following academic year for an ESF primary or secondary school or Discovery College or Renaissance College. There are waiting lists at each of our schools and the offer of a place is dependent on vacancy being available.

4. How many schools may I choose?

Each applicant may choose up to 4 ESF kindergartens or 4 ESF primary or secondary schools, including Discovery College and Renaissance College, in the order of preference. It is mandatory to choose one school.

5. What is the process for reapplication for the next academic year?

Applicants on the current waitlist will be sent a system email in February or March inviting them to reapply. (No reapplication fee is required.) If no reapplication is received, the application will be considered withdrawn.

6. I made a mistake with my choices after the application was submitted, may I make changes? How can I change the choices?

Please consider your choices carefully before submitting your application. Changes to choices may be done in February during the annual re-application exercise if the application is still on the waiting list.

Kindergarten Online Admissions​

1. My credit card payment did not go through, how can I pay the application fee?

Please refer to the email acknowledgement slip for the link of the online payment.

2. I realise that I might have made a mistake on the application form, how can I correct it?

You may send an email to ESF admissions at kindergarten.admissions@esfcentre.edu.hk stating the fields which have to be corrected.

3. I have not printed out the completed online application form, should I submit another application?

The automatic system email acknowledgement / application slip is sufficient to replace the online application form. We are able to track down your application with the application number.

4. I am not sure if the online payment went through, how do I check it?

Please email to ESF admissions at kindergarten.admissions@esfcentre.edu.hk quoting your application number. We will check it from the system and send back an acknowledgement. If it did not go through please refer to Q1 to settle the payment.

5. My payment went through successfully but I did not print the payment result, what can I do?

Please email ESF admissions at kindergarten.admissions@esfcentre.edu.hk  quoting your application number. We will check it from the system and send back an acknowledgement. If it did not go through please refer to Q1 to settle the payment.

6. I did not print out a copy of the application form, can you send me back one?

If you need the form as supporting document, please refer to Q3. Unfortunately we are not able to provide a copy of the application form for your reference. Please save a copy before closing the window.

7. I forgot my application number / I did not receive an application number after submitting the form.

Please email the applicant’s name to ESF admissions at kindergarten.admissions@esfcentre.edu.hk to check if an application is submitted.

8. I have made more than one application by mistake, what can I do?

Please email ESF admissions at kindergarten.admissions@esfcentre.edu.hk quoting all reference numbers that you received. We will delete the duplicates accordingly. Application fee paid for duplicate applications will not be refunded.

9. I have problems using the online application form.

If you experience technical difficulties, please try on other computers or update your internet browser to the latest version. The supported browsers are the latest version of Microsoft Edge, Firefox and Chrome on Windows and Mac OS with the browser’s security settings at or below default levels to access this online system. 

We would strongly encourage parents to apply for and pay the application fee using the Online Admissions System.

Saves Time – The student application form is received immediately on the school database. No delays in posting the application form.

Immediate Acknowledgement Receipt – Parents will receive an automatic acknowledgement with a 12-digit unique application reference number once application has been submitted through the admissions system.

No Missing Application – No worries of the application being lost in the post.

Primary & Secondary Online Admissions​

1. My credit card payment did not go through, how can I pay the application fee?

Please refer to the email acknowledgement slip for the link of the online payment.

2. I realise that I might have made a mistake on the application form, how can I correct it?

You may send an email to ESF admissions at primary.admissions@esfcentre.edu.hk or secondary.admissions@esfcentre.edu.hk  stating the fields which need corrections.

3. I have not printed out the completed online application form, should I submit another application?

The automatic system email acknowledgement/application slip is sufficient to replace the online application form. We are able to track down your application with the application number.

4. I am not sure if the online payment went through, how do I check it?

Please email to ESF admissions at admissions@esfcentre.edu.hk quoting your application number. We will check it from the system and send back an acknowledgement. If it did not go through please refer to Q1 to settle the payment.

5. I did not print out a copy of the application form, can you send me back one?

If you need the form as supporting document, please refer to Q3. Unfortunately we are not able to provide a copy of the application form for your reference. Please save a copy before closing the window.

6. I forgot my application number / I did not receive an application number after submitting the form.

Please email the applicant’s name to ESF admissions at primary.admissions@esfcentre.edu.hk or secondary.admissions@esfcentre.edu.hk  to check if an application is submitted.

7. I have made more than one application by mistake, what can I do?

Please email ESF admissions at primary.admissions@esfcentre.edu.hk or secondary.admissions@esfcentre.edu.hk  quoting all reference numbers that you received. We will delete the duplicates accordingly. Application fee paid for duplicate applications will not be refunded.

8. I did not upload a digital photo in my online application. What kind of photo is required?

You may refer to the e-mail acknowledgement slip for the link to access to your online application for upload. We require a proper passport/student photo in JPEG measuring 4cm (W) x 5cm (H).

9. I do not have the supporting documents on hand. Can I submit them later?

Yes. You may click on the link on the e-mail acknowledgement slip to access to your child’s application.

10. I have problems using the online application form.

If you experience technical difficulties, please try on other computers or update your internet browser to the latest version. The supported browsers are the latest version of Microsoft Edge, Firefox and Chrome on Windows and Mac OS with the browser’s security settings at or below default levels to access this online system.

We would strongly encourage parents to apply for and pay the application fee using the Online Admissions System.

Saves Time – The student application form is received immediately on the school database. No delays in posting the application form.

Immediate Acknowledgement Receipt – Parents will receive an automatic acknowledgement with a 12-digit unique application reference number once application has been submitted through the admissions system.

No Missing Application – No worries of the application being lost in the post.

Nomination Rights

1. If I plan to apply for an Individual Nomination Right, do I need to complete an online application form?

Yes. Applicants will need to complete an online application form and also an Individual Nomination Rights (INR) application form, which is available for download from the ESF website. The INR application and cheque are submitted in hard copy to ESF Centre.

2. When can I make an INR application and where do I submit the form?

INR applications may be made at any time, with the exception of Year 1 and Year 7 entry in August, which can only be made from 1 to 30 September. Applications should be submitted to ESF Centre, 25/F, 1063 King’s Road, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong. All Nomination Rights applications will be handled by the ESF Centre.

3. In what order are the INR applications processed?

INR applications registered today before midnight will be processed before the applications are received on the next day. INR applications with cheque received will be processed accordingly by online date order and time received.

Applications received within the same day will be processed in random order and will NOT be processed on a first come first served basis.

4. How are the INR Nominees prioritised for admissions into ESF schools?

INR nominees are the fifth priority after Corporate Nomination Right nominees, ESF staff’s children and siblings of ESF students.

5. Can a company apply for a Nomination Right?

No. The nominee has to be a named individual on the application form. The INR holder must be a parent of the nominee. However, a company can apply for a Corporate Nomination Right. If you are interested to obtain further information, please email us at primary.admissions@esfcentre.edu.hk or secondary.admissions@esfcentre.edu.hk .

6. How many INR places will be available?

In any academic year, the number of places offered to INR applicants will be limited to 150 across all ESF schools from Years 1 to 13.

7. Is the HK$50,000 deposit refundable?

The HK$50,000 deposit is refundable only if the child fails the admissions assessment.

8. When is the HK$450,000 balance due?

If the child passes the assessment, the HK$450,000 must be paid when the place is accepted.

9. Is the HK$500,000 refundable or transferrable?

No, the HK$500,000 is for a named individual and is non-transferable and non-refundable once paid for a confirmed place

10. Is placement guaranteed for INR Nominees?

Placement is subject to success at interview/assessment and place availability. Priority is accorded to waitlist placement and consequent timing of consideration for interview/assessment.

11. Can I choose the school where I apply for an INR?

Yes, placement is subject to availability at the school and a commitment to remain at the school for a defined period. INR applicants may indicate up to four schools in order of preference at which the Nominee can be considered. Waitlist placement will be considered for each school listed in turn. Nominees must be prepared to attend any of the schools indicated. A transfer is possible after a period of time, but it is applicable only if the family resides in the school one.

12. What kind of admissions interview/assessment do INR applicants need to go through? How will an overseas family be assessed?

Like all other applicants, the INR Nominees will go through the standard interview assessment procedures. Overseas families may be assessed when they arrive in Hong Kong.

13. Is the ESF INR scheme open for applications ESF International Kindergartens?

ESF Kindergartens has the Kindergarten Class A Debenture scheme which parents may gain a priority for admissions. Please click here for more information.

14. Is the INR scheme available for Learning Support and Jockey Club Sarah Roe School?

No. The INR scheme is not applicable to applicants for Learning Support and Jockey Club Sarah Roe School. 

15. How much in total do I need pay if my child is finally enrolled to an ESF school via the INR process?

After confirmation of a school place, INR applicants will have to pay the INR balance of HK$450,000, the admissions deposit and the non-refundable capital levy of HK$38,000 (for Year 1) and will be reduced, on a sliding scale, for students who join the system in later years. 

16. The HK$50,000 deposit is refundable only if the child fails the admissions interview. What about if the child does not show up for the interview, or they give up the place after paying the deposit?

There will not be any refund in these cases.

Kindergarten Class A Debenture

1. How much is the Kindergarten Class A Debenture?

The cost is HK$500,000. Parents must pay a deposit of HK$50,000 with the Debenture Application Form. The HK$450,000 balance is due seven days following your child being offered a place at the Kindergarten.

2. Who can purchase the Class A Debenture?

A child applying for K1 central admissions may purchase the Class A Debenture. It will give the child a priority fast track for a Play Visit for a kindergarten place.

3. Is this Kindergarten Class A Debenture mandatory for all parents to purchase?

No. The Kindergarten Class A Debenture is optional. If parents do not purchase a Class A Debenture, the Class B Debenture HK$7,000 is paid upon joining the kindergarten. This is refundable when the child graduates from K2.

4. Is the Kindergarten Class A Debenture refundable or transferrable?

The deposit of HK$50,000 for the Debenture is refundable if the child is not successful in gaining a place at Kindergarten. If the student is suggested for placement within the learning support provision or Jockey Club Sarah Roe School and is processed through the Admissions and Review Process (ARP) for placement, the Debenture will be refunded if there is no immediate available Year 1 placement. It will not be converted into an Individual Nomination Rights.

All outstanding fees or other amounts owing to the Kindergarten must be settled before the Class A Debenture can be redeemed.

The Class A Debenture is non-redeemable once the acceptance of a Year 1 place at an ESF primary school or college is confirmed by the parent.

The Class A Debenture is non-transferrable.

5. What happens if my child completes K2 and is offered a Year 1 place and parents decline the offer? Will the HK$500,000 Class A Debenture be refunded?

The Debenture is redeemed in full upon graduation from Kindergarten. All outstanding fees or other amounts owing to the Kindergarten must be settled before the Class A Debenture can be redeemed.

6. What happens if parents decline the offer of the Kindergarten place?

The deposit of HK$50,000 is refunded and the application process is completed and removed from the Kindergarten list. It will not be considered for an alternative ESF Kindergarten.

7. What happens when my child completes K2? Will my child have a priority through-train into primary school?

Yes. The Kindergarten Class A Debenture will be fully and immediately converted into an Individual Nomination Rights for Year 1 and parents will have a choice of school based on quota availability for a ESF School or College. The child is guaranteed an ESF School or College subject to be able to benefit from a mainstream English education.

In the case of taking a Year 1 place at one of the Colleges, only HK$400,000 out of the HK$500,000 will be applied to convert into an Individual Nomination Right. The difference of HK$100,000 will be refunded to the Debenture Holder.

Pre-Kindergarten

1. When should I submit the application for Pre-Kindergarten admissions?

The Pre-K programme applications are made from 1 to 30 April in the year your child turns two. 

2. How old must a child be to enrol at the ESF Pre-Kindergarten?

Students must turn 2 upon entry to the Pre-Kindergarten.
Children not reaching two years old by the start of school may waitlist until they reach two. The place will be offered based on availability.

3. How is the interview process for Pre-Kindergarten?

There are no interviews for Pre-Kindergarten admissions.

4. Is there any zoning policy?

All of our Pre-Kindergartens have no zoning restrictions.

5. Is there a school bus service?

School bus service is not available for Pre-Kindergarten students.

6. Does the Pre-Kindergarten class require an adult caregiver to be present during the lesson?

Children enrolled in the Pre-Kindergarten class at ESF Language and Learning Centre (Wan Chai) who are under 3 years old will need to have an adult caregiver accompanying them on site. A waiting room will be available for caregivers at the centre.

7. Do Pre-Kindergarten students have guaranteed placement in ESF K1?

Priority for K1 is contingent upon children completing the Pre-K course at the Kindergarten or the ESF Language & Learning Centre.

Pre-Kindergarten students do not have guaranteed placement in ESF Kindergarten. Admission for K1 central applications is made in the month of September for entry to kindergarten the following academic year. All Pre-K priority children will need to attend a Play Visit to secure a K1 place.

8. If my child is admitted to K1 but withdraws from Pre-Kindergarten, will his seat in K1 be forfeited?

Priority for K1 is contingent upon children completing the Pre-K course at the Kindergarten or the ESF Language & Learning Centre. Withdrawal from the ESF Pre-K programme is considered as withdrawal from ESF and any offer of a kindergarten place.

9. Should I apply for ESF K1 if my child was waitlisted for ESF Pre-Kindergarten?

Admission for K1 central applications is made in the month of September for entry to kindergarten the following academic year. All Pre-K priority children will need to apply for the K1 central application and attend a Play Visit to secure a K1 place.

10. Is the Kindergarten Class A Debenture available for Pre-Kindergarten?

No, the Class A Debenture is only available for the children applying for K1 central admissions.

11. When will the offer be sent out?

It will be released in mid-May.

12. How will applications for Pre-K places be prioritized and assigned?

Applications received during the month of April will have a computer-generated random number. Applications will be ranked by priority category and assigned a random number for a Pre-K place.

13. How will the AM/PM class be allocated?

AM/PM allocation will be assigned firstly according to priority and random number order until all AM places are filled first.

Non-refundable Capital Levy

1. Why is ESF introducing the Non-refundable Capital Levy (NCL)?

Non-refundable Capital Levy is introduced to replace the existing Refundable Capital Levy (RCL) to build up a sufficient capital funding stream to finance major capital projects of ESF schools, including but not limited to redevelopment projects.

2. Who needs to pay NCL?

Parents of students who are enrolling into ESF schools from August 2015 will be required to pay NCL, alongside with admission deposit, when they accept an offer of a school place.

3. Will there be any concessions on NCL for large families?

NCL will be charged in full, as per the sliding scale table, for the first two children of a family. For the third and subsequent children of a family, parents will only be required to pay 40% of the sliding scale provided that the first two children of the family have already paid full NCL and they are still in ESF schools when their sibling enrols.

If a family has more than two children enrolling in ESF schools within the same school year, the concession will apply to the third and subsequent children attending the highest year group.

For students who are eligible for sibling concession, they are required to pay the full NCL upfront upon enrolment. After the information regarding NCL payment history or sibling concession as declared on the enrolment form has been validated, the refund will be arranged within three months after the school start day.

4. I have already paid RCL. Will I have to pay NCL later?

All students who have Refundable Capital Levy (RCL) on account are not required to pay NCL. When a student in primary school reaches Year 7, the student will not be required to pay NCL as long as RCL is still on account.

5. If I have paid NCL for my child when he is studying in an ESF primary school, will I have to pay NCL again when my child reaches Year 7?

No. NCL is a one-off levy.

6. My child is studying at Renaissance College. Will I have to pay NCL if he joins an ESF school after August 2015?

Yes. Students studying in private independent or ESF kindergartens are required to pay NCL if they join ESF schools from 2015/16 onwards.

7. My child is currently studying in an ESF school. Will I have to pay NCL if he joins another ESF school after August 2015?

No. Internal transfer within ESF schools will not require additional NCL.

8. If I accepted a place in an ESF school and NCL is paid but my child subsequently withdraws from the school before commencing the school year, will I get a refund on NCL?

No. NCL is non-refundable.

9. If NCL is paid, but my child subsequently withdraws from the school, will I have to pay NCL again if he enrolls into an ESF school again in later years?

Yes, all students will have to pay NCL on enrolment. As NCL is a one-off levy, once it is paid, the student will be exempted for the rest of his time with ESF schools. Parents have to indicate this information in the enrolment form upon re-enrolment for verification. Once the information is verified, ESF will arrange a refund within 3 months after the commencing of school. This arrangement is also applicable to the leavers who have paid NCL before and re-enrol in ESF schools again.

10. I paid RCL for my child who has already left ESF. He is now going to re-enrol in an ESF school. Will I have to pay NCL?

Yes. The student has already left the ESF system and never paid NCL before. You will be required to pay NCL when he re-enrols in the system.

11. Will I have to pay advance fees (i.e. advance payment of tuition fees for September) given that NCL is paid?

For students newly enrolled in ESF schools, advance fees are already paid by means of an admission deposit. They will not be required to pay advance fees. For the rest of the students without RCL on account, they will be required to pay advance fees, regardless of NCL is paid or not.

12. Will ESF Financial Assistance Scheme be applied to NCL?

ESF Financial Assistance Scheme is the scheme for eligible students who are already in the ESF system. NCL is the levy charged to new students only. Financial assistance on NCL is not applicable.

Zone-Free Policy

1. How many schools may I choose?

Each applicant may choose up to four primary or secondary schools including private independent schools in the order of preference. It is mandatory to choose one school.

2. When is the zone-free policy effective?

The zone-free policy is effective from 1 August 2023.

3. Will this new policy disadvantage my current application on the waitlist?

No. All applicants will be given the option to update their choice of schools. Each application will retain the original date of submission.

4. For K2 ESF Kindergarten, how does this affect the primary transfer application?

ESF K2 students transferring to primary school may also enjoy the zone-free policy. Students will have four choices of primary schools.

Allocation to a preferred school is not guaranteed and is dependent on the availability of places. Allocation based on priority categories and non-local vs local passport holders percentages remains in effect to meet EDB requirements. All parents should indicate more choices as high-demand primary schools are oversubscribed every year. We will direct K2 students where there are available Year 1 primary places if your chosen schools are full.

5. Can I have my child’s application wait at my second-choice school?

An applicant will waitlist for the first choice school. If you want to wait on the second choice, please place that school as the first choice school. The second choice will be considered if there is availability of a place and there are no applications on that school’s list. The same with a third or fourth-choice school.

6. I made a mistake with my choices after the application was submitted, may I make changes? How can I change the choices?

Please consider your choices carefully before submitting your application. Changes to choices may be done in February during the annual re-application exercise if the application is still on the waiting list.

7. How does this affect the ESF Year 6 secondary transfer application?

The zone-free policy does not apply to Y6 primary students transferring to secondary school. Allocation is according to the ‘associated secondary school’ which remains unchanged. Please see the ESF website here for more information.

8. If all ESF schools are now zone free, will there be school buses available for all schools across Hong Kong?

School bus routes will remain unchanged unless there are viable numbers for new routes to be arranged. There are currently some routes that cross the harbour from Kowloon to Hong Kong. Please contact the school for information.

9. Are address proofs documents still required if schools are now zone free?

Yes, address documents are still required to confirm the applicant’s residential address for the records.

10. Do I need to reside in-zone if I wish to transfer to another ESF school after fulfilling the two year-commitment requirements to my current school?

The zone-free policy applies. The student may request to transfer to any ESF primary or secondary school including the private independent schools.

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  • info@esfcentre.edu.hk
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Year 1 Central Application - Key dates

Parents should refer to the “Determining Year Group” guidelines under the admission process to determine the appropriate year group to apply for when submitting their primary application.

1-30 September

  • The Central application period for parents to submit application
  • An acknowledgement email containing the applicant’s reference number will be sent upon submission
2 SeptemberNomination Rights applications open
First Friday of OctoberDeadline for receipt of supporting documents
Mid-OctoberAcknowledgement email sent to parents to advise admission process
November to January (Following Year)First round interviews conducted at primary schools
March to August (Following Year)Further interviews conducted by primary schools as necessary

Year 7 Central Application - Key dates

Parents should refer to the “Determining Year Group” guidelines under the admission process to determine the appropriate year group to apply for when submitting their secondary application.

1-30 September
  • The Central application period for parents to submit application
  • An acknowledgement email containing the applicant’s reference number will be sent upon submission
2 SeptemberNomination Rights applications open
First Friday of OctoberDeadline for receipt of supporting documents
Early OctoberAcknowledgement email sent to parents to advise admission process
Mid-October to the end of NovemberInterview period
Early/Mid-December Offer for Year 7 places sent out
Mid-DecemberDeadline to confirm places offered by payment of a deposit and non-refundable capital levy

ESF Jockey Club Sarah Roe School (JCSRS)

2B Tin Kwong Road, Homantin, Hong Kong

Founded

1985

Age Range

Age 5 – 19

Number of Students

70

Curriculum

Bespoke curriculum. All secondary-aged students access accredited ASDAN courses.

About Our School

Everything we do at ESF Jockey Club Sarah Roe School is based on an understanding that every child is unique, with their own skills and passions. We offer our students some wonderful facilities to keep them happy, engaged and always learning. Our bespoke curriculum puts our students at the centre.

We reach our goals alongside our students through personalised, progressive and challenging lessons that offer students multiple opportunities for repeated, frequent experiences. Parents are an important facet of this team, since nobody knows your child better than you. Our teachers and therapists work with you to help establish suitable and practical goals for each student and how to support this learning at home. By helping each child to develop their own interests and personality, we help them to be the best they can be.

Meet the Principal

Anna Smakowska

Anna has almost 20 years of experience as a teacher and leader – with a strong focus throughout her career on helping students reach their full potential, regardless of any and all challenges that they may face.

School Bus Routes

The bus service for JCSRS students is managed by ESF Centre and JCSRS. School staff work as Bus Escorts and they are First Aid trained.

*The stops along the school bus routes may be subject to change. For more information, please contact the school.

Phone:

(+852) 2761 9893

Email:

info@jcsrs.edu.hk

Website:

www.jcsrs.edu.hk

Download School Profile
Apply Now

K1 Central Application - Key dates

Parents should refer to the “Determining Year Group” guidelines under the admission process to determine the appropriate year group to apply for when submitting their kindergarten application.

1-30 September
  • K1 Central application period for parents to submit application
  • Acknowledgement email containing the applicant’s reference number will be sent upon submission
2 September at 1pmESF Kindergarten Class A Debenture application opens 
First Friday of OctoberDeadline for receipt of supporting documents
October
  • Application forms will be verified, parents will be contacted if there are any missing documents
  • Applications are processed in random order and are assigned a computer-generated sequential number and then ordered according to the priority criteria
November

Parents receive Play Visit status notification letters

  • Invitation to attend a Play Visit for a place/entry waitlist if successful; or
  • Confirmation of waitlisting for possible future Play Visit opportunities
November to January (Following Year)First round Play Visits conduct at kindergartens
January to Early March (Following Year)Parents receive letter with Play Visit result
March to August (Following Year)Further Play Visits conduct by kindergartens if necessary

ESF Year 6 students transferring to secondary school for August

ESF’s all-through education, K1 to Year 13, enables a seamless transition from kindergarten to primary and from Year 6 to secondary. The close links our primary schools have with their associated secondary schools play an important role in delivering a positive experience and a good start to the year, for our Year 7 students.

ESF will process and allocate according to an ‘associated secondary school’ for Year 7 placement. Below are the associated secondary schools for each primary school.

ESF primary schoolAllocated ESF secondary school
Bradbury SchoolSouth Island School
Quarry Bay SchoolSouth Island School
Glenealy SchoolIsland School
Peak SchoolIsland School
Kennedy SchoolWest Island School
Beacon Hill SchoolIsland School
Kowloon Junior SchoolKing George V School
Clearwater Bay SchoolKing George V School
Sha Tin Junior SchoolSha Tin College

The Year 7 transition information will be sent to parents via email with details to login and access the form.

All Year 6 students enrolled in an ESF primary school by 1 December are guaranteed a place in an ESF secondary school on completion of Year 6.

For Year 6 students in Learning Support (LS): the child’s placement will be managed and allocated through a different process that takes account of the availability of Year 7 LS placements across all secondary schools. The student’s Year 7 placement will be confirmed by the end of November.

A student joining Year 6 from 1 December onwards can not be guaranteed a secondary school place at their corresponding ‘associated secondary school’ but offered a Year 7 place at an alternative secondary school where there is availability.

For Renaissance College and Discovery College Year 6 students

The guarantee of Year 7 place is with the corresponding secondary sections. Transfer requests to an ESF secondary school may be considered based on availability and date of written request starting from 1 September to your school’s admissions office. There is no guarantee of transfer to Year 7 in an ESF secondary school.

Please note transfer between a private independent school and an ESF school and vice versa will mean payment of deposit and capital/building levy to take up the school place.

Please note the following key dates:

First two weeks of SeptemberParents complete the Year 7 transfer form
End NovemberYear 7 offer letters are sent via email from ESF Centre
Beginning of  DecemberDeadline to confirm places the Year 7 places offered. ESF primary students are requested to pay the deposit to confirm the place.

ESF K2 students transferring to primary school for August

Students who are attending ESF kindergartens will complete the Year 1 transition process. Information from ESF kindergartens will support the transition process.

Students in ESF kindergartens identified as needing additional learning support may be recommended to apply through the Admission and Review Process. This is a separate application process managed centrally at ESF Centre. This process also applies to all students applying from outside ESF. There are limited resources for placement within Learning Support and Jockey Club Sarah Roe School. Not all students going through the Admission and Review Process may be placed, as the demand is often greater than the number of places available.

The Year 1 transition information will be sent to parents via email with details to login and access the form.

All K2 students enrolled in an ESF kindergarten before 1 December are guaranteed a place in an ESF primary school on completion of K2.

A new student joining K2 on or after Year 1 offers to go out cannot be guaranteed a primary school place but will be given high priority on the waitlist for a Year 1 place.

Allocation for primary school is based on priority order plus EDB requirements (when necessary), and computer-generated random numbers. K2 children may be directed to an alternative primary school if there is an oversubscription at their first preference school. There is no guarantee of the school of first preference. All ESF primary school offers are accepted with a two-year commitment before any transfer request, regardless of residential address.

Please note the following key dates:

First two weeks of SeptemberParents complete the Year 1 transfer form
End NovemberYear 1 offer letters are sent via email from ESF Centre
Beginning of  DecemberDeadline to confirm places the Year 1 places offered. ESF kindergarten students are requested to pay the deposit to confirm the place

ESF Levels of Adjustment Framework​

The ESF Levels of Adjustment (LOA) provide a framework for identifying and documenting the adjustments and accommodations for students who require support for learning.

ESF uses LOA 1 to 6 to describe the amount and type of support a student requires in order to access the curriculum. The LOA also reflects the level of provision required.

Outlined below are the most common placements for students with LOA 1 to 6. Occasionally, placements may differ depending on the profile of the individual student.

LOA 1

Mainstream with support
Additional Differentiation:

Additional, ongoing class-based teaching and learning adjustments led by the class or subject teacher, in liaison with the IN department and/or short-term small group or individual intervention in 1 or 2 dimensions of schooling.

LOA 2

Mainstream with support
Additional Differentiation:

Regular, individualised teaching and learning adjustments of objectives, outcomes, materials or equipment, in multiple dimensions of schooling, as a result of class-based assessments and teacher judgement.

A combination of additional small group support, for minimum 2 cycles of intervention, in multiple areas. The student has an IEP, there is an ongoing liaison between class/subject teachers and the IN department, and there is regular contact with parents. These students often sit well below age-related expectations in one of the dimensions of schooling.

LOA 3-4

Learning Support
Daily, continuous differentiation:

Daily, individualised teaching and learning adjustments of objectives, outcomes, materials or equipment.

Access to daily push-in support in mainstream lessons and pull-out support focusing on skill development, concept reinforcement, and functional life skills teaching. Access to alternative curriculums at the secondary level.

LOA 5-6

Jockey Club Sarah Roe School
Continuous individualised differentiation:

Continuous, individualised support. Systematic interventions and highly individualised teaching programmes through multidisciplinary approaches with a high staff-to-student ratio.

Learning Support

Mainstream with Support

Many students who require less extensive, class-based teaching and learning adjustments are catered for within mainstream classes in all kindergartens and schools.

Learning Support

Students who require more extensive, daily teaching and learning adjustments are catered for within learning support (LS) within ESF primary schools and secondary schools.

Entry to this level of provision is through a central process called the Admissions and Review Process, not through the local school.

Jockey Club Sarah Roe School

Students who require the most extensive teaching and learning adjustments are catered for within the Jockey Club Sarah Roe School (JCSRS).

JCSRS has a bespoke curriculum that is designed to be broad and balanced to meet the needs of our diverse learners. The curriculum is taught through subjects but has significant elements of project based learning that enhance transdisciplinary application of knowledge and skills.

  • Built around Global Competencies that put the student at the centre of everything that we do
  • Designed to be personalised, progressive and challenging for all the students in our school
  • Designed to give students multiple opportunities to practice skills through repeated and frequent exposure to similar knowledge and skills to develop deep learning and generalisation skills that they can take beyond the classroom
  • Designed to reflect the whole person with strong links to therapeutic interventions
  • Pathway driven and implemented through taught subjects


The JCSRS curriculum is divided into six pathways, each with its own distinct learning approach and priorities. The pathways are determined by age and also by the needs of students.

  1. Foundation Pathway
  2. Builders Pathway
  3. Integrated Pathway
  4. Life Skills Pathway
  5. Independent Living and Learning Pathway
  6. Post 16 Pathway

Secondary School (Year 12-13)

IB Diploma Programme:

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) is a course designed for students aged 16 to 19. Students can choose to follow either the full IB Diploma Programme or their choice of individual IB Diploma courses. Widely recognised as the best possible preparation for study at university, the IB DP builds research skills, promotes personal responsibility and encourages independent learning.

The full IB DP core comprises six subjects and the following key components:

  • Theory of Knowledge (ToK)
  • Extended Essay (EE)
  • Creativity, Activity and Service (CAS)

Students can choose one subject from each of the groups below, three at Higher Level (HL) and three at Standard Level (SL).

  1. Studies in Language and Literature (Language A);
  2. Language Acquisition (Language B or ab initio), or a second Language A;
  3. Individuals and Societies (Humanities);
  4. Experimental Sciences;
  5. Mathematics;
  6. Arts (or a second Science, or a third language).

Specialised Pathways:

Our personalised pathways allow students to focus on creative projects and inquiries and reflect on their achievements. Students whose strengths are in applied learning are often practical and goal-oriented. Courses are routed in practical and real-world situations and are made relevant to the world of work. The courses are modular with no external examination element.

ESF schools currently provide Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC ) courses which are recognised by many universities worldwide. These courses can be studied alongside other subjects and provide a varied learning experience for students.

A number of ESF schools are also developing the International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) to offer opportunities for those students who have a particular career path in mind. The IBCP allows students to specialise and dedicate themselves to a career path that they know they want to pursue. The IBCP encompasses some elements of the IB Diploma Programme within its structure. It also encompasses the IB’s educational philosophy and mission.

Secondary School (Year 7-11)

IB Middle Years Programme:

The Middle Years Programme (MYP) prepares students to become active, caring, lifelong learners who demonstrate respect for themselves and others and have the capacity to participate in the world around them. Learning focuses on the development of the whole child as an inquirer, both in and beyond the classroom and encourages students to be critical, creative and reflective thinkers. The MYP is a framework on which to hang a challenging and rigorous curriculum, which provides authentic, real-world connections to the learning in the classroom.

The curriculum consists of 8 subject groups integrated through 6 interactive areas providing global contexts for learning.

  1. Language acquisition
  2. Language and Literature
  3. Individuals and Societies
  4. Sciences
  5. Mathematics
  6. Arts
  7. Physical and health education
  8. Design

Our MYP centres around and is underpinned by the following five key components:

  • Teaching and learning in context
  • Conceptual understanding
  • Approaches to teaching and learning
  • Service as action through Community Service
  • Inclusion and learning

 

As a further means of developing autonomous, self-directed learners, students are given the opportunity to demonstrate their learning through completing a project, which encourages reflection on their learning and outcomes of their work. This is a long-term project, which is embedded within a global context and generates a synthesis of creative and critical thinking and approaches to learning through an in-depth investigation.

MYP Projects
Students who complete the MYP in Year 9 or Year 10 complete the community project, enabling them to develop their commitment to service as action within the community. All students who complete the MYP in Year 11 complete the personal project.

International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE)
(Years 10 & 11):

The IGCSE is a two year course of study with an externally set syllabus with assessment criteria for Years 10 to 11. The five ESF secondary schools design courses to meet these criteria. This includes a range of language courses available in foreign, second and first languages. The examinations are externally set which is similar to the IB Diploma final examination period. Grades are awarded with students typically taking between seven to ten subjects.

Students will also be able to access a range of co-curricular courses in the creative, community service and physical domains. Some of these activities have qualifications associated with them.

Primary School Curriculum

IB Primary Years Programme (Age 5-11):

International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) is an international, trans-disciplinary programme designed to foster the development of the whole child, not just in the classroom but also through other means of learning. The PYP focuses on the total growth of the developing child, encompassing academic, social, physical, emotional and cultural needs.

We provide a wide range of curricular and co-curricular programmes and opportunities. The curriculum is expressed in three interrelated ways:

  • Written curriculum — concepts, knowledge, skills, attitudes and action
  • Taught curriculum —  Students are encouraged to be curious, be inquisitive, to ask questions, explore and interact with their local and global environments.
  • Assessed curriculum —Students are assessed both formatively and summatively. Students who are in their final year of the programme carry out a collaborative inquiry project, known as the exhibition, under the guidance of their teachers.
Examples of co-curricular activities include:
  • Tournament of the Minds
  • Primary Choir
  • Battle of the Books
  • Year 6 Chinese Cultural Tour to Beijing
  • Sporting competition
Our schools aim to develop internationally minded students by encouraging the development of the traits described in the IB student profile. We support children to become inquirers, thinkers, communicators, risk-takers and to be knowledgeable, principled, caring, open-minded, balanced and reflective.

Kindergarten Curriculum

ESF Pre-Kindergarten (Age 2-3):

Our approach to learning is through play based theory. Across five key areas of enquiry; Wellbeing, Belonging, Communication, Contribution, and Exploration, each toddler’s voice will be heard, their progress celebrated, and their language and knowledge nourished. Our curriculum centres on the premise that everything that occurs with or for the child is curriculum. It is inquiry based and concept driven. It is designed to be stimulating yet flexible to provide for the children’s desire to explore and investigate.

IB Primary Years Programme (Age 3-5):
The Primary Years Programme (PYP) is built on 6 Transdisciplinary Themes through which students explore and engage in the different subject areas. The core of the PYP model shows the 5 Essential Elements which are common to all teaching and learning: concepts, skills, knowledge, attitudes, and action. The PYP Curriculum provides:
  • Content guidelines and learning objectives
  • A teaching methodology
  • Assessment strategies
Mandarin Chinese is the specialist language and is integrated into the PYP programme, forming a core aspect of the curriculum. At Abacus and Tung Chung International Kindergartens, there is a choice between an English stream and a bilingual English and Mandarin Chinese stream.
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