Posted by
HannahChan
18 yrs ago
we are debating between ESF Bradbury and the Peak School. Is there a reason we should prefer one to another? We are renting so it's very flexible for us to move. Also, does anyone know their acceptance rate? I understand the Peak school is much smaller so does it mean it's harder to get in?
Additionally, would there be Mandarin class available as afternoon activity at the Peak School? We visited Bradbury once and we saw that they offer mandarin afternoon class. Wonder if it's the same for all ESF schools.
Appreciate your advice.
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Both have very good staff and are well reported on.
Bradbury has excellent learning support staff.
Bradbury is about twice the size so you may have a better chance of getting in. (Class sizes are the same in both)
Having a larger student population Bradbury probable better reflects the socio-economic and ethnic mix of Hong Kong in general rather than the more rarified atmosphere of Peak School.
Bradbury has loads of after school activities - not sure about Peak.
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hannah chan I urge you to check out the thread on 'more bad news for ESF' under speakers corner before you make any decisions.....
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I think you will find that Peak School has more places than Bradbury. Educationally you will recieve the same at both schools, just different facilities. If Mandarin is offered at Bradbury think you will find it is an after school paid activity run by an outside organisation. I would not pay too much attention to bookies warning looks like more unsubstantiated statements.
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My son will start to go to Bradbury in August, and he has been going to an international class of a local kindergarten for the last two years. Honestly, every single school, doesn't matter which one and what kind, local or international, they all have their own issues on quality of teachers and ways on how they handle children. You will hear comments from other parents from time to time about different "bad and inappropriate" things that the school is doing, and as a mom myself, I certainly understand we all think and hope our children deserve and should get the best treatments. I have heard loads of complaints about my son's kindergarten, and under the local school system, believe me, parents are VERY MUCH CONCERNED about the quality of teachers and how much their children are learning. My son's class has changed 4 teachers in the last 2 years, and the existing one is a very young lady, not much experience, but really has a good heart, loves children and loves to teach. All the parents are comparing her to the first teacher who they all love the most, and said the first one is still the best. To me, whether the teacher is good or not, the best judge should be the children themselves. Kids are very honest, they will show you whether they are happy, whether they are willing to learn, whether they love the environment, and whether they feel good. From this young teacher, I can see my son learns new things everyday, he learns how to discipline himself, and he also says he loves to go to school. There are more things than just learning the knowledge from books, it is very important for me too see my children being happy as well.
I have also read from other threads on comments about young and inexperienced teachers in ESF. It is important for us to give chances to these young generation teachers to build up their experience, if every school says no to them how can they be experienced teachers in a few years time? And a lot of children in fact enjoy a lot more to have teachers "growing" together with them, instead of only giving instructions and say "this is it!" We have all been young and green before, it is our turn to give others the same kind of opportunities that we were longing for when we first started to work.
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ness
18 yrs ago
Both schools should be willing to give you a tour and look at the various facilities and class room set ups. I have experience of both schools as a parent and supply teacher and both are fine in my opinion. My own children attend Peak and we travel out of area as we moved, they are keen to fill the school as with housing on the peak becoming so very expensive there are not that many children in their catchment. I prefer the smaller school where everyone plays together at lunch because my three are out in the playground as a family and there is play between all level of children. They are also getting a learning support centre, work is starting over Easter, not sure when they will open. Bradbury will have a couple of music and mandarin teachers as they are a bigger school whereas peak only has one mandarin and one music and a specialist PE teacher on contract whilst Bradbury benefits from being twice the size and having more staff. Check the bus times as travelling to the peak may be a lot longer than Bradbury depending on where you live. It is a nice community at Peak in my opinion with lots of mums dropping off and picking up and very friendly. At Bradbury many more children seem to catch th big buses to and from due to limited parking (although limited at Peak too) and it may be harder to meet other families.
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ness,
How about afternoon activities? We'd like to be able to cover all extra-curricular activites at school so we won't have to worry about it outside of school.
You mentioned they are building a learning support centre. What exactly is that for?
I read from other forum that ESF primary is going PYP. Do you know if that is true and if so, when?
Thanks so much for your kind feedback.
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@@
18 yrs ago
Hi Hannah,
My child is at the Peak School and his best pal is at Bradbury, both very good schools.
I do love the Peak because it has a community feel to it and it's not at all "stuffy".
I am constantly impressed by the level of teaching at the Peak School and amazed by the additional time teachers put in after hours.
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I've heard concerns that the classes at Bradbury are not contained by 4 walls, so you really have 2 or more classes working in the same space. Apparently, it's quite distracting.
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Hi @@,
Thanks for your feedback. I constantly received comments about ESF being very relaxed on the academics front. How do you feel about that being an existing parents?
How's their afteroon activites? I know Bradbury has loads but not sure if Peak is the same since it's a smaller school.
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I am most surprised HannahChan that you have received such coments. Having come from a UK private school situation to ESF we have found that the ESF is very academic and that is why we choose it as opposed to an alternative British School here. Having had friends return to their home countries their comments about ESF is the same and that their children are way ahead of their peers. Last year Primary Schools sat SAT exams and the results at my childs schools were exceedingly high. If you are talking ESF High Schools take a look at the results and you will see for yourself that they are certainly not relaxed on the academic front. In regards to Bradbury I understand that last year or the year before the class rooms were converted and each class now has it's own class room - so I can't see that it would be distracting.
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Yes, but it's true. When ESF is compared to other international schools such as CIS, HKIS,GSIS, FIS, etc.. It is always commented as not as rigorous. For us, ESF is very reasonable in terms of fees, one of the biggest deciding factors.
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HannahChan - I have to agree with NewbieinHK - you are certainly entitled to your opionion, however in our case I can say that when compared to the above schools you have mentioned other than one which in my opionion is far too rigorous - it is not the case. Fees were not a deciding factor when we choose schools and we feel we made the best choice.
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The school of choice for our little kidling was mentioned in your post Hannah. We wanted a more enquiry based syle of learning rather than just rigour and more importantly a happy child who loved going to school. We felt we received neither.
Moved her to ESF where she has excelled in an environment which has a good mix of both and have never looked back/ a very happy child... You need to decide what is best for your child and take a good long look at the schools on offer. School fees are included in our package thus not an issue. There are schools other than ESF that are not hugely more expensive you may want to check out.
Schooling for our kidlets is a very important decision to make and as parents we need to know we have made the right choice. We are very happy with ours.
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Hi all,
We choose ESF because of its very reasonable fee and its quality. We are not compromising quality for the fee. It's the price/performance ratio we look at.
We are leaning toward the Peak school at the moment for just one specific reason... The catchment area is much smaller so the acceptance rate could be higher. Bradbury has twice the space but I think the area it covers is more than twice that of Peak. Please let me know if I should consider otherwise. Thank you for all of your input.
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It does depend on where you live as it depends on the catchment area. If you are able to choose where you live I understand that the Peak has more places available than other Primary Schools, however if your child is a native English Speaker and you apply to Bradbury within the allotted time, it is likely that you will get a place. I suggest that you call both schools directly and ask them what their current waitlists are like and that should give you some idea.
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Hi hettijames,
The Peak school has more places than other primary schools due to its smaller catchment area? Or is there any other reason?
I will try to visit both schools before making a final decision. Our lease is coming up for renewal so we have a choice of moving to either catchment area.
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You can't pick a school based on business principles like "price for performance" ratio. I am aghast at such a statement. How do you define "performance"? There are lots of great things a fantastic education can give you that can never be "measured" on any sort of "performance" scale. If you mean exam scores (and rigour to get the high scores) you are being very short-sighted. If high rigour that produces high exam scores is your end goal or your criteria for choosing a school, then an international school will never suit you. As an "international school", by definition--a "Western" style education--does not have as its end goal as high exam scores. People are mixing up their apples and oranges. You can't expect a "western" style school to meet your expectations of a rigorous "Chinese" education and if they can't --accuse them of not being good value (bad performance for pay ratio). That is also a very short-sighted way of viewing the work of the teachers and staff in such a school. It's a discredit of all the wonderful work they do--imparting many things that can't be measured objectively (like self-esteem...how much is that worth?) If people say that ESF is relaxed, they mean "relaxed" in terms of drill work and exams and not that they expect nothing of their students or teachers. A great thing in my opinion...
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QuiltingMommy,
I believe parents who come up here to seek information, not to be criticized. Please keep your opinion such as "short-sighted" to yourself. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I am just citing what I heard. Why get so emotional about it?
I respect what ESF has to offer and if you read all of my posts properly, I am nothing but eager to get my little one into ESF.
We are an average family so yes school fee and debenture will be something we have to consider. At the same time, we don't want to compromise our little one's education. If we look at school selection from that perspective, ESF is on top of our list. I am sure HKIS or the like will produce just as good an education but we cannot afford three times as much school fee and the debenture we have to undertake. That's what I mean in terms of price/performance ratio.
I don't intend to start a fight or argument over what is "price/performance" as I stated quite clearly so please do not respond unless if you could offer me more information on the question I posted.
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ness
18 yrs ago
A tour is still the best way to get an idea/feel for what you think will suit your child best in terms of school size/environment. I don't believe there will be an academic difference betweeen the two schools. Plenty of afterschool activities at the Peak - the school office manager will be able to give you a list.
They are moving towards PYP at Peak, just had the initial assessment by the people who oversee that. Many of the teachers have been on courses and will continue to do so and it seems to me when I go around all the classes that enquiry based learning and critical thinking has been taken up by all.
You can google the process for a school getting PYP certification - it takes a while, but the school will generally be using the methods for some time before.
The learning support class is to cater for children who need extra help but can a;so integrate into the regular classroom . There is a huge waiting list in HK for these places as I think only two schools cater for children. Bradbury is one of them. It will be one room converted into a place where a small group of children will be taught. It is different to the addital learning support that is provided to many students who need extra help at some point (like when they have just arrived from another school system or are experiencing reading difficulties).
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Hi ness,
Thanks for the feedbacks. I will call the office tomorrow and arrange for a visit. I took my little one up there over easter holidays and she loves it, especially the giant octopus in the covered play area :-)
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Bradbury has a very good learning support class and learning support mainstream teams, both of which have an excellent reputation.
Bradbury's student population possibly better reflects the wider community having a broader catchment area compared with the rarified environs of the Peak however the staff of both schools is second to none and I'm sure you're child will be happy at whichever you eventually choose.
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Thanks Yardie. I am most concerned with the acceptance rate so I think I will choose Peak school (we will choose the section of Kennedy road that falls into the Peak catchment). Bradbury might be too competitive since it covers a large area.
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Hi ness and @@,
We visited the school last week. Love it!
Do you know if the peak school runs summer program? (I forgot to ask)
Thanks !
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Hi HannahChan,
how did you get on with Peak School? - We have also applied to Peak School Last October for my son and am still on the waiting list. What were your thoughts about the school - I can't remember much about the school as I saw the school last October. I'm still in 2 minds with the school - I'm a bit worried about the size of the classes and how much attention each child gets, my other concern is how my son will cope when we move back to the UK and whether he would get into a private school in the UK. We're hoping to move over to HK in August all depends on whether we find a place for my son.
What would be the main differences between an international school compared to an ESF like Peack School.
Anyone out there with any advice?
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The class sizes are 30, however in years 1 & 2 there is a full time teacher and a full time class room assistant which in most other international schools the class room assistant is only present for half of the day. Your child will get plenty of attention and a jolly good education, the teachers are brilliant. In regards to returning to the UK, these schools are private, and I would imagine it would be hard to put a child back into the local education system once they have been to school here, although I'm sure not totally impossible. I am not sure what you mean by the difference between an International School and the Peak School, the Peak School is an international school, full of international kids, teachers and parents. ESF Schools unlike many other International Schools, insist that every child applicant speaks Fluent English. Good luck with your application, the wait lists as I understand it are long.
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thanks Hettijames
I'm hoping something will come up for my son soon!
Would there me much difference between say Peak and Kellett appreciate that there is a big difference in fees, but what else would set the 2 schools apart? Understand also from what I have read that Peak is in transition to becoming IB rather than follow a British style education.
If you had a choice which school would you choose Peak or Kellett?
Please help - feeling really stressed over what to think. Not sure if I will have a choice in which school my son end up at - but wanted to be well informed if both schools end up offering him a place - doesn't help with being on the other side of the world!
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Hi Hettijames,
I really liked the school. It's a nice little school. Very warm and cozy. I would say that ESF is very similar to other international schools, especially ones that follow the british curriculum. ESF is subsidized so the fee is lower than most international schools. I personally do not think there is much difference between ESF and Kellett besides the fees. Kellett also has a very long waiting list. Which grade is your little one applying to?
I am also interested to know how ESF is compared to the private school and the government school in the UK. Any parents can share?
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There is a difference in class size, Peak 30, Kellett 24. Peak will be following PYP which I think you will find is the way most UK private schools will eventually go. It really depends on what is best for your child and only you can decide that of course. If I had the choice then I would choose Peak, for various reasons, one of them being Peak School has a secondary follow on school that has a very impressive reputation with excellent acedemic results as do all of the ESF secondary schools. If you are only in HK for a couple of years, this may not be a consideration and Kellet may suit you better. However, I think you are correct in saying it is likely you may not have a choice in what school your child attends as places are very hard to come by. What I would say is that there is really no need to feel stressed over it, which ever school you end up with, you won't be disappointed, the standard of education is very high here.
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Thanks Hettiejames
Peak is our first option but we haven't heard anything since last October which makes me wonder whether we will get a place or not. I've got my fingers crossed! We're coming to HK for 3 years so my only concern is whether Peak will gear my son for the entrance exams when we return to the UK as he will be entering UK High School and currently our plan is for him to go to a Private Secondary School - most of which have tough entrance papers with limited spaces -so very very competitive. but I guess I shouldn't think so far ahead and concentrate on getting him through the next few years wherever it ends up being.
someone asked whether Peak School cater for summer holidays activities - does anyone know?
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july8
18 yrs ago
From my experience at the Peak school I can tell you that the classes are to big for one teacher to handle,there are at least if not more,30 kids in one class,honestly the teacher ,even with an assistant cannot handle such a class(I saw with my eyes).During one academic year I have withness more than half kids in a class leaving and being replaced.The teaching method is very relaxed and there is no discipline.
If you want to get a better idea of what I'm talking about you should go during recess(around noon time)to take a look of what's going on there,from the road next to the upper playground you can clearly see 500kids being "supervised" by two teachers...
Academically is quite low,think about it if you are planning later on to send your son to some other school in HK or overseas,you will have difficulties to be accepted
Good luck!
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july8 - you obviously have do not have any knowledge of the Peak School. There are not more than 30 in a class ABSOLUTELY NOT. There may well be less, certainly not more. Of course the teacher can handle that amount of children and perfectly well. Yes ideally a smaller amount would be better. It also seems strange that you can clearly see 500 kids being "spervised" by two teachers when there are only 360 in the whole school. Acedemically the education is very high and the SAT exams will attest to that. If you witnessed half of the children leaving and being replaced I would suggest it was because those children left Hong Kong and for no other reason.
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July 8 - do your children actually go to Peak School - you paint a depressing picture of the School when nearly everyone says how lovely it is and how high the standard of teaching is.
Can you validate your comment that academically Peak is quite low? What makes you say that?
And there I was convinced that Peak was the right school - and you throw in a curved ball to mix things up in my head again!
Does anyone else out there agree with July8 comments?
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@@
18 yrs ago
My child is at the Peak School and I am delighted by the level of education, teacher dedication and over all school environment.
July8's comments could not be further from the truth!
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Agree, July8's comments could not be further from the truth! petals please read my earlier post...and in regards to your child gaining entry into a private secondary school in the UK after an education here, you have nothing to worry about, he will only be at an advantage.
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july8
18 yrs ago
I 'm not the only mother that have this vision of this school,I can assure you that even an assistant teacher of this school that used to have two kids in ESF Peak after one year of her kids attending there,she sadly decided to send them back to UK,since even from her point of view the academic level was too low...
Reguarding the safety/discipline situation of the school you can just go to check to the peak police station to see how many records against accidents happend there:it's public record ,anybody is free to see it!
Anyways this is my suggestion,just be aware that all ESF schools are not under the HK Educational department bureau jurisdiction, so even if there were having problems it wont be trackable.. .call them if you don't belive me
Good luck!
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@@
18 yrs ago
July8 what sort of accidents are we taking about here???
I spend a lot of time up at the school, as do many parents and simply don't see any of what you are talking about.
I certainly have no problems with the academic level,perhaps sour grapes on behalf of your friend?
Anyway - it seems those who have made positive comments about the school actually have children there - speaks volumes to me.
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ness
18 yrs ago
I work at the school and have three children there as well and accident rate is not high - the odd scraped knee - they are kids after all and there is a nurse on duty. More than three teachers on duty - three upstairs and two downstairs at each play time. Only 360 in the school max and it is not currently full. 30 maximum in the class and most are not always at 30. Teaching assistants full time in Year 1 and next year in Year 1 and Year 2 will each have their own dedicated teaching assistant in the classroom. Discipline is good, most of the children are a delight to teach.
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