Moving to HK with teenager

Hi, my partner has just been offered a 2-5 year secondment to HK. We have 3 children 13 (boy), 10 (girl) and 2 (boy). Although we are all excited about it I have some concerns regarding schooling. My son goes to a grammer school in the UK and if we only stayed in HK for 2 years I would struggle to get him back in anywhere decent on return to UK as it would be right in the middle of GCSE courses. Do HK schools do GCSEs ? My daughter is due to take her 11+ in November but if we move to HK before that she can't take it and again on return to the UK we would struggle to get her in a decent school in our area without it. Hopefully we will get to HK love it and not want to return but if we don't what are my options? Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Also we are coming to HK for half term week in May to check everything out, before we make a definite decision, and I would love to meet up for a quick cofee with any expat mums with children of the same age to answer all our questions. Thanks

Ali

All ESF schools (English schools foundation)do GCSE's, with an average pass rate of 93-94%. They are switching to the IB programme but only at post 16 level, i.e. replacing A levels and as yet there have been no plans to replace the GCSE's, at least none that they have told the parents about. You also have the German Swiss International school, they also do GCSE's. I have a 13 year old boy and he loves living here, mind you he's been here since he was 3, so doesn't really remember living in the UK. Where abouts do you live?

Hi cd, Thanks for the info, I have looked at the ESF schools and like the sound of them. We are hoping to move to the Clearwater Bay area so I am looking at the King George V school for my son and the ESF Primary at Clearwater Bay for my daughter. Would we be in the right catchment areas for these schools ? and are they hard to get into. This is the only real worry I have about moving to HK. We live in Rayleigh, Essex at present.

Hi Ali,

We moved to Hong Kong from the UK when our kids were 9 and 12 ... they are now 15 and 18 and both have thrived since being here. Both have attended ESF schools (primary & secondary) and we feel the level of education offered has been very good and facilites at the schools are excellent.


My eldest will be taking A Levels shortly and my youngest will be taking GCSE's next year and then move on to the IB programme, which is all very new to us so I can't really comment on that right now.


I can understand your concerns regarding the problems you may have getting your kids back into a good school if you decide to return to the UK. We had exactly the same concerns. However, having lived here for a few years, I personally feel that there is no comparison and wouldn't wish to return to the UK whilst my kids are still in education.


My kids love living here ... Hong Kong is a very safe place for them to grow up ... far more safe than the UK, which is one of the main reasons why we decided to stay here.


I suggest that you contact the schools directly with regards to catchment areas and availability of places. You will probably be told that the schools are over subscribed and you will have to put them on a waiting list initially, which can be quite a worry. You will also need a confirmed address in Hong Kong before you stand any chance of being offered a place. However, on the positive side, I've never know anyone who has moved to HK who hasn't been offered a place. Not sure if things have changed in the past few years, but generally, kids arriving in HK who are unable to attend local schools due to the language difficulties, would normally get priority over others on the waiting list who may already be attending another school here in HK.


One other thing ... if you've never been to HK before, don't let your first impressions turn you off! There's so much in HK that a lot of people never see. I wasn't too enthrawled with the place when I first arrived, but it kind of grows on you ... and now I'd be very sorry to leave.

Hi Ali66, yes Clearwater Bay is in the catchment area for Clearwater Bay primary ( I have 1 there, and one starting there in Aug) and King Geeorge V (KGV), my son is there, and my daughter is just doing her A levels there. They both really enjoy it, its very good academically, and has a really good reputation for sports, music and drama. Moving from the UK as a native English speaker you would go to the top of the waiting list if there is one. Schools break up here the end of June so you really need to get them on the list before the term finishes if possible.Agree with Sapphire, the safety and the schooling are 2 of the main reasons we are still here.

Hi Sapphire, CD and UK Mum. I can't thank you enough for your valuable advice. My mind has really been put at rest now as has my son's. I dearly hope we can get him in King George V. I will get my partner to tell his work to prioritise our housing asap in order for us to get the children on the school lists. Sapphire, we are visiting for a week in May (UK half term) would it be possible to meet up for a quick coffee and a chat. Thanks again to you all

Ali

Hi UK MUM, just checked my email and do not have a pm from you. Please could you re send. And how do you send somebody a PM. Thanks

Ali

Hi ali66 ... I've sent you a pm ... let me know if you haven't received it.

Hi Ali


We moved here 6 years ago with children age 11,14,16 and 18. It has been a tremendous experience for us all. One of the big pluses is that it is so safe here for teenagers. Public transport and taxis are reliable and affordable and safe.

I have read the threads on this posting and note you are with HSBC. It may well be that the bank will accomodate you in their blocks of flats. There is a huge on up here on The Peak and the children go to Island school and Peak school. both these schools are fabulous. Peak is very small, just two classes per year group and Island school is just brilliant. All schools here are so good at welcoming new students and families. Island school has a very effective House systam which marks it out from the rest of ESF but all ESF schoos are good and follow the English curriculum.

Also don't worry about this being a city. We were amazed at just how much green space there is here. On the Island there is trail that wends its way through woods from the Peak to the beaches on the eatern tip for 50k and you only cross about 3 roads in the whole of that time.

I work in the Communty Advice Bureau here and we have a large data base that helps us answer many questions from people in Hong Kong. Do call us if you have any questions. We are open 9.30 till 5.00 Monday to Friday. 2815 5444


If you wnat to grab a coffee or lunch one day when you are over do get in touch at the above number and leave a message for me if I am not there.


Good luck

Helen CAB

Island school is not unique in having a house system, KGV does too, they have interhouse sports, music and dance competitions, can earn housepoints for taking part in interhouse and interschool things.

Same goes for West Island School too.