[tzechuk]

I have a 5 year old (born 2004) that I'd like to send to an ESF school in Autumn... but I am curious..

In the UK, kids don't enter junior school until they are 5+, before that it's pre-school/reception. If I remember correctly (it's been a while since I went to school!), it's 5+ for year 1 (to 11 ish for year 6) and 11+ for year 7 (to 18 for upper 6th).

So I was all set for my daughter to apply and enter year 1 at an ESF school when I eventually relocate back this Summer. Imagine my surprise when I read that year 1 is for those born in 2005, and those born in 2004 should be in year 2!

So are they saying that children start junior school in Hong Kong at 4+, versus the 5+ that I am used to? Will my daughter be able to go straight to year 2? She knows her alphabet, she can read simple words and writes well. She is also VERY good at doing sums...

Any insights would be most welcome.

Thanks.

[Mom2Sofie&Twins]

My daughter is currently in Year 1, she'll turn 6 next month. So yes, you're 2004 born will start Year 2 in the fall. However, they will test her and they could put her in Year 1 (however Year 1 spots are harder to get, waiting lists at some schools). However, if she can read and write a little, she may be a little bit behind but there is quite a wide range of capabilities in Year 1, so she may be just fine in Year 2. If you want to relocate back this summer, you'd better contact schools as soon as possible because even Year 2 spots are not easy at all.

[sea princess]

Might be worth looking at some international school too with a UK/ English curriculum? Some work on a different year cut off. My daughter is in recpetion and was born in 2005 but has children in 2004 in her class as they run from September-August as their birthdate year. Just a thought. They can be more expensive than ESF though.

[tzechuk]

@Mom2Sofie = do you think she is behind? I asked my friends in the UK with children the same age as my daughter and it seems like they are all on the same level. ... and my daughter is doing a bit better than some..

I buy these Scholastic grade 1 exercise books for my daughter to do and she can do them without any problem at all.

@sea princess: yes, I looked at those, too, and am weighing up my options. Thanks.

[Sleuth]

Your biggest problem is not going to be which year, but rather is there a spot anywhere.
ESF application deadlines for the autumn passed ages ago.
Putting all eggs in the ESF basket at this late stage would be dangerous.

[snagito]

Depends on which month your daughter was born in 2004. If she is a December-born 2004 then ESF might consider allowing her to go into P1, as she would have missed the cut off just by a few days (as had she been born in January 2005 then she would go to ESF P1 this August.. Otherwise yes, you are looking at a P2 place at ESF. You may want to contact central ESF admissions to find out what schools have the shortest waiting list for P2 in August 2010 and then decide where to live?

[tzechuk]

I already talked to ESL actually and they told me I could apply through their corporate thingy programme...

My daughter's bday is in November.. I don't mind really, she can go to Yr 2. I jumped a couple of years at school, too. No big deal.

Thanks.

[Mom2Sofie&Twins]

I don't know whether she will be behind. I am quite impressed the level and speed. She's been reading and writing quite extensively over the past year. However, I do think my daughter is performing above average so her speed of learning is a little higher than some. I have seen plenty of kids who are learning at a slower pace, so again, there is quite a wide range, so in that respect she may be behind compared to the faster learners, but still ahead of some who learn at a slower pace. She might be average in Year 2, while she would normally be above average, or something like that, know what I mean? There is only one way to find out and that's too contact the school. ESF is quite flexible and again there is wide range, so I am sure they can help out either way.

Good luck!