[avalyl]

I would like to know which one is the most popular primary school? Shatin junior? Are all esf with Ib or just selected one?

Thanks a lot!!!

[Mom2Sofie&Twins]

Bradbury is very popular on the island, I know Clear Water Bay is oversubscribed as well. It really depends on the area, the number of English speaking in a certain catchment area, some areas are simply busier than others, but I think most of them are filled completely and spots are not easy to get.

[kiwiinoz]

This year it would seem all the ESF schools are oversubscribed. Bradbury always seems full, not necessarily because it is popular but because of the catchment it has extending over to Repulse Bay. Glenealy similarly is over-full because of the number of people living in Mid-Levels.

In terms of quality of education, I get the impression all the ESF schools are pretty good but there is some variation depending on demographics and teachers (As with any school anywhere really).

[0ze_Kid]

I heard last year that Kennedy had places but we could not apply because we were not in the catchment. Not sure if it was true or not.

I believe that the best schools are depended on the teacher so one year it may be great and the next not so much. I think the principle has a lot to do also.

For example I know one ESF school which, to me as an outsider, is a complete mess. The principle is not a believer in phonics and, as such, they have no uniform approach to teach learning to read and they have at least three different programs running about all over the school being implemented by the teachers, the ESL, the special reading unit AND teaching assistants. The kids are suffering but I doubt the reputation of the school is.

[honeybee]

hi, ozekid

I've sent you a PM.

[0ze_Kid]

I have had a few PM's about this so am just going to clarify. I would be the first person share my experiences about a system that is not working - and have 'outed' organisations in the past without hesitation.

As this one is pure rumor and not my personal experience so I am not going to name the school. It was told to me from a teacher who is unhappy with their job at present - that could change; the principle could finely come to their senses and implement a systematic approach to phonics. You just don't know.

That is what I was trying to put across. You need to ask the questions and interview the school yourself and then be better informed to make the right decision for yourself. Don't rely on a league table or comments made by one or two other parents because you can't speak to every single one of the parents in the school in order to receive a balanced view.

Here is my list of questions/things to consider when looking at schools (and yes the school I mentioned before is on my short list):
* Are good values supported, ie honesty, integrity, respect, etc
* What kind of opportunity/support do they have for high achievers to be encouraged?
* Do they have good curriculum on offer? (what is it? for example some use Montessori, Emilia Reggio, IB and so on...)
* What kind of extra-curricular program/s are on offer? (ie, your child is likely to go to the school for 6 years+ so what do they offer 12 year olds?)
* Are they co-ed? Is that what you want?
* What is the bully policy? (Do they have one? How do they deal with the bully? Victim?).

I hope these help.

Finally, once you have seen the school - go with your gut feel as I found that even if the school was scoring high with my criteria (or 'ranked' highly by someone such as SCMP), at the end of the day it also has a lot to do with the teachers (as I said before) I speak to and what they were like. Unfortunately they can change from year to year.

[rani]

There are quite a number of DB kids at Kennedy. A few joined this year, after they changed the catchment areas. You should still apply.

[0ze_Kid]

Tried again Rani and they said that those that were accepted were 'sibblings'.

So we sit and wait...

[rani]

Don't give up. Try again closer to the summer holidays. Many families leave during the summer and will inform the school in May/June the child won't be returning next term.