Parent's Review of Quarry Bay School in Hong Kong, Hong Kong

What is the name of your child's school? (Please report on one school per survey.)

Quarry Bay School

In what town or city is this school located?

Hong Kong

How would you describe this school? (i.e. American, British, International, Local, etc.)

British

What grade levels are represented at this school?

Year 1 to Year 6

How do most children get to school everyday? (bus, train, walk, etc.)

School bus, public bus, family car

How would you describe the facilities at this school? What extra-curricular activities are available?

Very good in terms of electronics (interactive whiteboards in all classrooms, good computer facilities etc), but less good in terms of outdoor play areas, due to space limitations which affect all schools and businesses in Hong Kong. Wide range of extra-curricular activities, from sport to languages, arts, crafts, Scouts, etc. A very culturally-diverse school with up to 40 different nationalities represented.

What has this school done to help your child transition from the curriculum in your home country into the curriculum in your new country? Are there programs to prepare your child for repatriation?

This school follows the UK curriculum, which is what we're used to, so no transition needed. It's a very friendly, welcoming school that helps all children on an individual basis as necessary.

How would you describe the social activities available for parents through this school? Are there parent-teacher organizations?

There is a very active PTA, which encourages all parents to participate in the many fundraising activities throughout the school year, such as bazaars, international food events, carol concerts etc.

Parents are also welcome to help in the school, in the classrooms.

What advice would you give to someone considering enrolling their child in this school?

Quarry Bay School is part of the English School Foundation (ESF), which operates on a catchment basis; ie you need to live within the catchment to get into any particular ESF school. Application is to individual schools. ESF is undergoing a lot of changes at the moment, and their school fees may have to go up if the Hong Kong Government's current subsidy is abolished, which is threatened at the moment. Currently fees for ESF schools are well below those for other International schools in Hong Kong, but offer a very good UK style education. So parents need to check with ESF on any policy changes that might affect their choice of schools.