ESF South Island School

Since July 2024, Helen Thew. An experienced international school hand having previously spent 19 years in Thailand at Bangkok Patana School (cross-campus principal and assistant principal student welfare) and before that she was at the British School

Most from one of the two feeder schools (ESF Bradbury and ESF Quarry Bay), from where they enjoy an assessment-free, smooth transition, both in terms of academics and friendships. However, ‘not a problem’ to come from elsewhere – though families

Quite a few Brits leave aged 13 for UK boarding schools (especially those needing more space and sport). Some get sports scholarships to UK schools then onto US universities.

In 2022, 33 per cent of graduates to UK (‘it’s rare not to have an

In 2022, an average score of 37 at IB, with 39 per cent achieving more than 40 IB points. At I/GCSE, 61 per cent A*/A (9-7); 94 per cent A*-C (9-4).

In 2021, an average score of 39 at IB (students actually sat exams unlike in other

The academic structure begins with IB Middle Years Program (IBMYP) in years 7 to 9, then follows IGCSE, finishing off with either the IB Diploma Program (IBDP) or the IB Careers-Related Program (IBCP), which is a flexible combination of IB and BTEC

Regular training and shared best practice, plus access to specialist therapists, make ESF the school group of choice in Hong Kong for children with learning difficulties (‘a big plus’ of being part of the ESF group).

There are about 25 children

English is the language of the classroom and the playground. However, many students don’t have English as their mother tongue. A range of English enrichment classes are offered to these students (often in place of Chinese or other language classes)

Students can choose to do the HKAYP (Hong Kong Award for Young People), equivalent to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. MaD Week (Making a Difference) is central to the school’s philosophy, and involves combining overseas travel with service projects

There are lots of really sporty children at South Island, and they are the ‘ones to beat’ at Hong Kong inter-school level. Many represent Hong Kong at national level. How much this can be put down to the school vs the fantastic training offered at

This is the area where South Island shines. The head of pastoral care is described as a ‘fantastic hire’ who is absolutely ‘on it’. Mental health is ‘front and centre’ and drugs, social media misuse and bullying issues are not dismissed as ‘out of

Currently 18 different nationalities, the majority Chinese. ‘Quite right’, one expat parent told us about the blonds being in a minority - we are in Asia after all, and it’s a ‘good thing’ our children are making local friends. ‘Always an ethnically

ESF senior schools are considerably cheaper than most other international schools in Hong Kong, and are seen as good value for money, particularly given the quality of teachers and the online learning provision.

A truly international school – non-selective, with a holistic approach that nonetheless turns out fantastic academic and sporting results.