Wycombe Abbey School Hong Kong

What The Good Schools Guide International says

Headmaster

Since April 2024, Robert Fox BSc PGCSE. Over twenty-five years of prep school and headship experience including head of boarding at Repton Prep UK, assistant head (pastoral) at Harrow International School Hong Kong and more recently headmaster of Packwood Haugh Prep School UK (part of the Shrewsbury family of schools). It was during this time he worked alongside Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong and is quick to point out that he continues to develop this relationship further today, sharing best practices between the two schools.

An archetypal British prep school headmaster: welcoming, enthusiastic, passionate and caring, with thankfully no pomposity or stuffiness in sight. Passionate about the prep school system, he draws on his experience as a boarding school housemaster. His pastoral skills serve him well and his warm nature is effortless; he weaves this into the day-to-day bustle of school life. Students pick up on this vibe and approach him fearlessly.

A keen geographer and sportsman (hockey), he teaches both religiously on a weekly basis to the upper years. He also gets personally involved with each leaver before they move on at the end of year 8, liaising with parents to ensure the best-fit school and conducting interview practice with each student.

A fresh perspective and the introduction of new plans are a positive hit with parents; an innovative sports programme, student entrepreneurship, a drive to increase parent community and the expansion of overseas trips have all made their mark. Alongside this, his focus falls on strengthening ties within the Wycombe Abbey group of schools in Asia, with a potential view to expand the group's offering.

Married with three children (two at university and one at boarding school in the UK) who relish returning to Hong Kong in the holidays to reconnect with old friends. A move back to Hong Kong and onto the Island clearly suits him, both on a professional and personal level.

Entrance

Classed as a private rather than international school, it is not bound by nationality quotas, removing the competitive and often stressful entrance process for the many local families vying for spots (as seen at other international schools).

Age-appropriate assessments - parents say applicants are put at ease. Play assessment to determine social skills and levels of English and Mandarin for those in year 1-3. Written assessments cover English, maths, non-verbal reasoning, CAT 3 and 4 tests for the upper years, plus an interview with the headmaster. Basic knowledge of English is preferred but not essential, the school has an excellent EAL programme.

Numbers steadily increasing; two form entry for every year with three classes in year 5. Rolling admissions through the year.

Exit

Prepares pupils for entry into secondary school at the end of year 8. More than half (majority girls) move off to boarding schools in the UK. Girls typically to Badminton, Benenden, Roedean, Woldingham and Rugby; boys to Clifton College, Rugby, Winchester and Westonbirt.

A smattering head elsewhere, including as far afield as the Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore and Argentina. Those that stay on home soil enter ESF schools, Kellett, Harrow or Malvern.

The school prepares children for common entrance through an extracurricular club, and orchestrate visits from top UK independent senior schools (four per term) to present to parents and students on an informal basis. Where possible, the school links these to a talk from an alumni for first-hand experience.

No automatic entrance into Wycombe Abbey UK - students must fight tooth and nail to gain a coveted place just like any other applicant. The school prides itself that its students can hold their own. Entrance into the other Wycombe Abbey family group of schools in China (Changzhou, Hangzhou and Nanjing) a given.

Teaching and learning

UK curriculum a draw for many parents, particularly for local families looking beyond to British secondary schools. Most teachers drawn from the UK, Chinese teachers recruited from Hong Kong or China. Occupying a niche market as one of only two prep schools in Hong Kong, the school attracts the best staff without the need to fight for them (the collapse of a third prep school meant numerous teachers were in the marketplace at the right time). Open teaching contracts equals committed teachers and a settled environment. Small classes are also attractive, parents tell us.

Provision of iPads in the classroom (a learning tool), the school recently recognised as a Microsoft Flagship school for education innovation. Homework dished out from the word go, thirty minutes per day for those in years 1-3 (‘not overwhelming,’ say parents), increasing to one hour for those in year 5 upwards, including manageable project-based work. The school makes no bones about ‘drawing on the very best teaching practices and tradition of Wycombe Abbey in the UK’. Academics are strong, without being a hothouse, students keep up.

Chinese Putonghua (simplified and traditional) streamed into native and non-native classes (no bilingual offering). Chinese, English and maths are given equal lesson time each week.

Additional modern languages, French, Italian and Spanish, are only offered as extracurricular activities (ECA’s) as there is little demand. Maths is streamed, support available to those who need it or small group extension for those who strongly perform.

Learning support and SEN

No great capacity but can provide strategies to children to help them cope. The learning co-ordinator gives support one on one or in small group work in class. A talented and gifted programme runs alongside.

Language support

The school openly provides English support, with an intensive option in years 3 to 8 running across two terms. Content subjects drop away until English is mastered, an attractive option for those who arrive with very little English.

The arts and extracurricular

Corridors full of student artwork; school's UK and Chinese heritage similarly played upon - think pictures of the Queen juxtaposing Chinese cartoon dragon sculptures. Ditto the library, Chinese and English books side by side. It all seems very natural. The art room (one of two) is a calm and quiet space enhanced by a generous outside space filled with an abundance of plants.

STEAM lab located on the top floor; the trek alone is worth it for those little legs, the latest technology is in place. Extremely popular too (mentioned endlessly as a standout favourite, as is the teacher) and children make daily pilgrimages. I-steam students take part in possibly the most exciting annual event: house drone Quidditch. Children design and produce goals and wands, drones employed as snitches. Excitement levels off the charts, house competition taken to another level.

The mandatory annual musical in the auditorium (across year groups) - previously Beauty and the Beast and Phantom of the Opera - is hotly anticipated by parents who are just as proud of their children in star roles or inanimate parts. Music lessons held onsite with external providers who, parents are quick to point out, make the right pairing of instrument with student. Concerts held throughout the year, varying degrees of ability on show making it real.

The first English and performing arts trip to the UK is planned for the end of the academic year; students to visit London and Stratford with a detour to Wycome Abbey UK, naturally.

Over 50 extracurricular activities in one-hour blocks, after school from 3-5pm, including a homework club. Youngest years are advised against everyday extracurricular involvement, those in the upper years take as many as they want, though we heard a few parent pleas for a more diverse offering across the years.

Sport

Space is limited, there are no large spaces for gyms, swimming pools and running tracks, rather tentacles reach out into community areas for outdoor spaces. The school pitch on the roof of an adjacent multistorey car park is accessed via a link bridge from the school. No shade, this hot space allows children to run around on the Astro and let off steam (literally). Moving down to the ground floor a hard court, located across the way from the main entrance, is used for break and PE lessons. Owned and operated by the government, it is shared with the local community, priority given to WASHK.

Back on campus, the high-ceilinged atrium houses a full-scale climbing wall (the highest in Hong Kong, ten grades of difficulty). Highly popular with the students, though only two at a time - there are smaller bouldering walls for those too impatient to wait.

In their drive to introduce team sports, a new sports programne sees a timetabled afternoon of sports each week for year 5 to 8. Utilising off-site facilities nearby, students experience football, netball, touch rugby and hockey, taught by national grade coaches.

Ethos and heritage

Established in 2019, it was the second of four schools within the portfolio of Wycombe Abbey International. A turbulent opening, it ‘limped’ through its first term. Three years of disruption from protests and a pandemic rocked, not sunk, this little school. A deeply rooted heritage lends support to its backbone, the school often rides on the tailcoat of its highly prestigious sister school in the UK, attracting families for its internationally recognised academia and outstanding examination results - appealing to the go-getting crowd who make up a rather large percentage here.

A diamond in the rough, located in the local area of Tin Wan on the southside of Hong Kong Island and housed within a repurposed shopping centre, it strangely works. Its parent appeal? A clean, bright, and comfortable campus, and wherever you are on campus you always end up in the library - by chance or clever design? Classrooms on multiple levels surround the glass-ceilinged central atrium, radiating light to all floors. This central space acts as an auditorium, atrium, climbing wall, gymnasium, performance space and whatever else the school can utilise it for.

Classrooms for the youngest years are set back from the atrium on the ground floor, keeping them separate. First-rate science and STEAM labs, art and large music rooms (no scrimping on instruments), the well-stocked library and the drama and dance studio are scattered throughout the building.

Hot food (cooked off site) has been re-instated thanks to a new caterer, much to student excitement. The school bus is mandatory, to avoid traffic jams (parents opt out with head’s permission), it’s pick up and drop off point directly outside the school ensures a safe and swift delivery and exit.

The school is one of two British prep schools established in Hong Kong, refreshingly the heads both happy to share best practices whilst highlighting their USPs.

Pastoral care, inclusivity and discipline

Manners and discipline are important here; on our visit students were polite and respectful. Parents tell us that teachers help build confidence and are ‘on it’. Good communication from teachers (same day) means parents feel informed and incidents dealt with quickly. Parents say they don’t over escalate or hide responsibilities.

Pupils and parents

Predominantly affluent and well-educated Hong Kong families with one or both parents educated abroad; loyal, appreciative, and effusive. Parents happy to access excellent primary education, steeped in UK history, without the waiting lists and expatriate shenanigans experienced at other schools.

Parent power rules here, word of mouth is strong among the local community - many families know others before joining or encourage others to apply. Parents describe themselves as ‘tight knit’. Class rep for each class, they form their own social groups and ensure no one is out of the loop, key information shared via WhatsApp. A focus this year to further unify the parent community is on the head's radar; from beach clean ups and social gatherings to inviting parents into classroom sessions it seems there is something for everyone.

No official buddy system in place (small class sizes mean that students know each other quickly), rather students are assigned someone to show them around on the first day and to answer questions. Families tell us the transition is ‘seamless’, with school proactive in educating students on different cultures and religions, inclusivity and diversity at the forefront.

A new entrepreneurship programme taps into the knowledge of the parent community. Business leaders, within the parent body, support students in setting up an initiative. This year students pursued a tea production business. From concept to procurement, even pitching for investment it is all student-led when making key decisions. The school's intention is to make this as close to a business model as possible.

Money matters

Optional nomination rights (debentures) - corporate or individual – are available giving suitable precedence to those that can afford this, sibling priority too. A mandatory annual capital levy is in place, those under nomination rights exempt from this.

The last word

A small British private school with a decidedly distinct local flavour and big heart which is looking to take the prep school experience to the next level. Individual guidance and genuine care from the head for all year 8 leavers creates a wow factor in our eyes.