Posted by
alyyang
17 yrs ago
Hello,
My daughter is accepted at ESF for Y1 and FIS for Reception (she was born late Dec so FIS puts her in a year lower). I need to decide within the week where to send her this coming september.
Could you share your opinion on the two schools? And should I choose to lower her for one year and put her in Reception just because she's born late in the year?
I also heard that FIS is much more rigorous academically than ESF and so its Reception is equivalent to ESF Year 1. Happy to hear your view on this (please don't bomb me for saying this as I only heard it from the moms in my daughter's school).
Thanks a lot!
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Dear Mother,
My daughter started at FIS last September in the reception class (which is equivalent to Year 1 at ESF schools). I chose the FIS because of its small class sizes, nuturing approach to the children, small school with only 2 reception classes, strong academic programme and high parent involvement. To say my daughter is happy is an understatement - she loves the school!! I chose not to register my child for ESF because I disagree with the large class sizes (30 children) in such large imposing schools. The ESF schooling system is modelled on comprehensive schools in the UK (British National Curriculum, large class sizes etc) whereas the FIS is modelled on private independent schools (small class sizes and individual child approach). Putting your child in a reception class does not mean that she/he is a year behind Year 1; its is simply the system at private international schools. My daughter has achieved so much academically and spiritually during the past 6 months that I would not have her in any other schools in Hong Kong.
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jacqueline,
Thank you so much. I know that a lot of parents have said that FIS is strong academically. I know it's true for Secondary school (based on test scores). But is that also true in Primary school? and how so?
May I know in the last 6 months, what has been taught on reading, math, and french? Do they teach based on each child's ability, i.e. if a child has started reading, would they start Phonics with them again?
Sorry for so many questions. We need to let the school know our decision this week. Thank you very much for your feedbacks.
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Please let me correct TC Ng regarding the misconception between the reception class at the FIS and the primary 1 at ESF. There is none. The children are the same age doing the same curriculum at the same level. My daughter entered reception at FIS at the age of 5 (ESF Primary 1); she will enter primary 1 at the age of 6 (ESF Primary 2). The only difference is that FIS is based on the French schooling system and the ESF is based on the Uk comprehensive school system. In the reception class at the FIS there are 2 teachers in charge of 24 students per class. The FIS is very selective and does not provide for special needs chidren whereas the ESF does.
I will however, agree with TC Ng that choosing a school solely depends on one's child. I would recommend viewing both schools with your child to ascertain which school she feels most happy with.
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Hi TC Ng
I can see that you have several children in the ESF schools and wonder if you can give me some advice too. We are offered an admissions screening at the Renaissance College in Maonshan (one of the private schools under ESF). My daughter is a native English speaker but it takes her long time to get used to new environment and new people so I am a bit nervous about the screening. Do you know what usual questions they ask and are parents allowed to stay along side with her? Many tks.
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Hi TC, tks for your detailed input. In fact the first thing we did was calling the admissions office to find out. But they didnt disclose any information and said all they want to see is the child. My daughter is native in english (she only speaks and understands English anyway) so in that sense, she is OK. We are permanent residents and that adds another good point, as u suggested. I understand the difference in the 2 types of ESF schools now. We originally applied for ESF Shatin (cheaper school fee and a good reputation) but they turned us away as our application was late.
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Goodness Kazasia, I feel for you. I don't have direct experience with the new ESF but many friends recently had their children interviewed at the new Discovery College Private ESF. The test included things like being able to spell their name, when their birthday was etc. I believe the children are taken to a separate room from the parents (which is definitely the case at old stream ESF). Unlike Renaissance this time round they didn't look at permanent residency as a priority, which is typical because I am. My son didn't even get an interview. Wishing you all the best.
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I agree 100%. My son needs to travel about an hour to go to the nearest ESF. I am grateful he has a spot but you are right HK needs to address this issue or professionals like yourself will not choose HK. It will lead to a real brain drain. Another friend is considering home schooling her son, who like your child has no place at the moment. He is entering primary 2. Keep us posted
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In reply to TC Ng -
The UK comprehensive school system teaches the British National Curriculum; the same as the ESF. The ESF system was set up some 40 years ago to provide a British education based on the UK government schooling system for expatriates in Hong Kong. Alternatively the new ESF schools, such as the Discovery Bay ESF and Renaissance College are termed as private independent schools (this is a term used for private schools in the UK which are teaching PYP. The local ESF takes Native English Speakers because it receives grants from the HK Government making fees cheaper for parents. The FIS (as well as GSIS) operate as private independent schools which is why they choose to be very selective and require parents to pay a debenture.
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I m just thinking aloud: will a good school turn the child away at P1 admissions screening just because he desnt know how to spell his name or he doesnt know when his birthday is. Isnt it more important for the child to be able to reply in English politely that he doesnt know how to spell his name and he doesnt know when his birthday is, if he really could not write (at the moment) and too nervous to remember his birthday when a stranger asks him. A good educator should be able to tell if the child understands English and should not fail him for something he cannot do at the moment or is not his best. Except TC's from the above, it sounded to me it all depends on the test result, which is very sad. For all the good things I heard about RC, I m a bit confused now.
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cd
17 yrs ago
To Boobear,
in the 'old' stream ESF, children going for their 'interviews' for P1 are definately taken into a separate room from their parents, at least they were 18 months ago when my daughter did it, and they were 5 years ago when my son did it.
To Mighty, the ESF p1 screening is not very challenging to the child, basically they are taken into a room in groups of 5 or 6 with a teacher, a couple of other teachers observe them. They listen to a story, play with some toys. The teachers watch, see how much they understand, see if they ask questions etc. To Kazasia, like Tc Ng says, get your childs name on the waiting list. You'll never get a place if they're not on the list, and people are always leaving here at short notice, I know 3 families thats happened to just this year, so thats 8 child places that they wouldn't have known were coming up.
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kazasia,
Do you live on Hong Kong island? or would you?
I know ESF on the HK side is easier space wise as the catchment area is not as big as the Kowloon schools'.
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Dear TC Ng,
I would suggest that you contact the ESF and the private ESF to clarify their curriculum and specifications for admitting children into their schools. The FIS does indeed demand the payment of a debenture, but a debenture payment is not paid until one's child has been granted a place. Parents apply for a place without the school knowing whether they can pay a debenture, but a parent would not apply for a school place at FIS (or GSIS, SIS etc) if they could not afford the debenture. The children are selected on their verbal communication, basic knowledge of numbers and the alphabet, social skills, level of English etc. I am presuming it is the same with the ESF, although the ESF is obligated to accept native English speakers first (able and special needs) as dictated by the HK Government and the Education & Manpower Bureau in Hong Kong. The British National Curriculum is taught in government schools in the UK. Private schools in the UK also teach the British National Curriculum but have the privilege of adjusting the curriculum to add such subjects as Latin. The sole reasons why I chose the FIS is because of its small class sizes (my child is rather shy) and to learn French. The cost is irrelevant. Parents chose ESF schools because of the cost (which I consider most reasonable) and, from friends' comments, Mandarin.
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Hi TC Ng
Without any private tutoring or home help (just extreme examples), do you think children can speak and write Chinese under the ESF education solely? We are offered an interview at ESF (as well as RC) too. Of course I do not have to decide it now as it is only an initial interview, but I heard that ESF schools do not emphasize on Chinese Language. What do you think?
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