ESF P1 admissions

[funkyrascals]

Dear ESF mummies
I have heard so many horror stories about lack of ESF P1 places, and I am getting extremely worried. I would like to know what the admission process has been like for the children starting ESF P1 this Sept 2012. My first born son is currently studying K1 at WKS, he is a native English speaker (Cat 1, does not understand a word of Cantonese) and I am an ESF graduate. I am planning to make applications for RC and BHS for P1 Sept 2013.

In an interview situation, my son (whilst not necessarily being the 'leader') would have no issues talking to strangers, and he would ask detailed questions and volunteer information. He would engage with the interviewer socially.

However, I know that this year, many Cat 1 children were not offered an interview at ESF Primary. What has been your experience? Right now, I don't have any game plan other then to apply next year for as many schools as possible, though I am doubtful as to whether the chance of gaining a place at a non-ESF international school is any higher.

Given that I am an ESF graduate and my son is already at an ESF kindi, the two groups who have priority over us at BHS would be Cat 1 siblings and children of ESF teachers. I know that RC does not grant Cat 1 priority. I wonder how many is the Cat 1 sibling pool.

I would be grateful for any comments or advice. I have done everything I can think of.

 

[rani1]

ESF kindy kids are guaranteed an interview and as you're ex-ESF you should be offered a place. It's hard to predict what the sibling priority will be next year.

ESF is no longer following the national curriculum, which we were once taught and are doing PYP-IB.
Renaissance has embraced PYP and are implementing it very well. So if you can afford the school would seriously consider it.

 

[TheQuasimother]

Rani is right about RC.

Just to add, the home-school collaboration is wonderful. I was invited to attend a seminar for teachers run by my son's teacher and the experience was wonderful. There were teachers from all over HK's international school system and the region. What was wonderful about it was I discovered how far more advanced, prepared, and serious this school is about education.

I know for a fact that given all the offers we received, we choose RC.
My son, who is only in Year 1 also has a strong connection to the school. It's really like home to him and he's even insisted that his sister attends RC! And that he stays on 'forever' in RC!

Of course, my experience does not represent the consensus of all parents. We work closely with the school and are always willing to support a teacher/parent initiative there.

But back to your fear, if you are attending WKS, and an ex student, I don't think there is much to worry about unless, the school you've applied to is terribly oversubscribed to begin with e.g. KJS and CWB. BHS is not known to be hard to get into.

 

[shwetakhanna]

Hi funnymommy. My daughter is also in K1 at WKS. And cat 1. From what I have heard this year, all the students who applied have got interview calls, and the teachers from RC and other ESF schools also came to the kindy to observe and talk to the kids in the classrooms.
What class is you son in? My daughter is in TAM.

 

[ychia76]

BHS wait list is 2 years and if you want SEN support it is even longer 3 years wait.
What other international schools are you applying? I just hope that ICS increase their intake of SEN students from 7 to 21 so my son also has a chance to get in.

 

[funkyrascals]

Thanks Rani and Quasimother. I just realised that actually, we are in the catchment area for KJS, and not BHS. KJS is very oversubscribed. I could only pray that there are not too many Cat 1 siblings with priority over my son next year. I would be delighted with RC, and I know that RC is rapidly gaining quite a reputation in HK. However, I also know that RC is oversubscribed and competition is keen (and will be keener next year)- especially since it doesnt grant priority to Cat 1, my son would have to compete with all the Cat 2 applicants.