ESF Schools

A friend is moving here this summer with a 14 year old son. Does anyone know which ESF secondary schools on the island have spaces? He has been speaking to ESF and they won't reveal this but an idea of which one he is likely to get into will then help them decide where to look for an apartment!

Have they tried to contact the schools directly? They may be more helpful. All students were asked if they would be returning to school after the summer vacation and asked to pay a deposit to secure a place. The schools should have a very good idea of their numbers. However, because people in HK are often moving flat (and therefore out of the area) no matter where they go there would more than likely be a school bus to every secondary school. If you go onto the ESF website you can get the secondary's schools e mail addresses. The offices are open over the summer and someone there is responsible for admissions and should give them information.

Thanks to both of you. He knows about the catchment area rule which is why he is trying to find out about availability and will then search for an apartment within the area of the school that has the most spaces. It's all a bit of a catch 22 though, as you say starbucks proof of address is necessary to apply.

ESF have a new policy that a company can secure a place for an employee's children by paying ESF a security deposit. Contact ESF office on Stubbs Road and they'll explain the process.

Despite the catchment area rule individual schools do take children in out of the catchment area. This is when there is a sibling already there and they moved out of the area but continue to send their child there. They will also do it when there isn't a space in your catchment area. With younger children they give parents a choice to move their child when a place comes up into the school in their area. Many people prefer not to move their children. This situation also applies to the secondary schools. However as children are older it would probably be preferable to keep them where they are, and being older the travelling isn't such a big deal. There is, of course, the cost of uniforms which you don't want to have to buy again. Schools are very sympathetic and really do want to help you out. If they are going to be staying in a hotel for a while before moving into accomodation then the catchment area rule would be pointless anyway.