Welcome to the ESF Kowloon Junior School official Q and A page. Here we ask the questions, and the school answers directly. It is its chance to have its say on specific areas you have told us you want to know about. If you think there are additional questions we should be asking you may contact us here.

Does your school have a waiting list? In which years?

Yes

What are qualities and characteristics that define your school and its students?

KJS is a five-form entry school with 900 students. Our learning environments are designed to support our learners and help ignite their passions. Within our year group areas and dedicated Chinese area, the shared spaces ensure opportunities for true collaboration between students and teachers. Learning is further supported by access to a very spacious, light and airy library which houses a wide variety of books and resources. The dance studio, music suite, specialist creative arts area and multi-media room support students to express themselves in a wide variety of ways. Our gymnasium and diverse outdoor spaces, including an outdoor classroom designed by students, are used for a wide variety of sports and recreation. The sustainable action by students of designing learning spaces at KJS includes further development of outdoor garden spaces (“Secret Gardens”) to enhance student wellbeing. Our large hall and stage with professional light and sound, ensures our whole school community can enjoy a wide range of celebratory events.

The school’s Vision of ‘Success for Every Child’ permeates all levels of the school. Success at KJS is defined as Achieving, having Agency (the capacity to act intentionally, having voice, choice and ownership of learning), showing Respect (for self, others and the environment), taking advantage of Opportunities and having positive Wellbeing, we call these the AAROWs of Success at KJS!

Teachers and support staff take time to know their students, personalising learning goals to stretch learners and ensuring students are active participants in their learning process. Our Learning Enhancement Team provides excellent support for students with additional needs. KJS works within the PYP framework which allows the school to incorporate the best educational practice from around the world and places a great deal of emphasis on developing international mindedness; positive learner attitudes; inquiry learning; creative, critical and collaborative thinking and learning through meaningful experiences. Our students enjoy stimulating learning within their homerooms together with opportunity to learn with specialist teachers in music, dance, the arts, physical education and Chinese. Students have an immense opportunity to pursue their passions through in class inquiries, specialist classes and the extensive co-curricular activities offered during the day, after school and in the weekends. Our students benefit from the ongoing working relationships that we have with King George V School, our main feeder school, and Jockey Club Sarah Roe School. The close proximity of these schools ensures students have opportunities for support or extension whilst ensuring a smooth transition to the next phase of their education.

We warmly welcome visitors who would like to get a first hand experience of our school, KJS.

For parents wishing their children to enter Year 1, Central Application is open from 1 to 30 September of the year before they want their children to enter the school. Application for all years are open throughout the year. Applicants will be invited to an admissions interview when places become available. Please check this website for immediate or expected student places: www.esf.edu.hk/applyesf-school/

How many nationalities are represented in your school? How international would you say your school is?

ESF serves 17,770 students who represent a range of ethnicities and over 75 nationalities.

Are there high proportions of a particular nationality?

HKSAR permanent residents

If external examinations and assessments are part of your curriculum, which ones do you offer?

IB PYP

Please provide details of how well your school did in its previous external exams for students at 16 and at 18 years of age? Please provide sufficient detail to allow parents to have a view on how academic your school is?

Please visit this website for public exam results of ESF students: www.esf.edu.hk/public-exam-results/

What percentage of your sixth form that take exams at 18 go to university, and where, in general, do they go?

In 2019, 23 ESF students achieved the perfect score of 45 points in the IB Diploma examinations; more than 95% go on to leading universities worldwide. The average score worldwide was 29.8 points compared to an average score of 35.6 for ESF students. For more information, please visit this website: www.esf.edu.hk/university-destinations/

Is there a school uniform?

Yes

Which languages are taught at your school - please detail any as a first as well as second language?

Chinese and others

Do you have a learning support team in your school?

Yes

Not all schools are staffed or resourced to offer learning support to those children with either moderate or significant learning needs. To what level can you offer support for those with learning differences?

Learning Support Classes are available to cater for students with individual needs.

Does your school have particular expertise in dealing with a specific learning need such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, aspergers syndrome and so forth?

Yes

Does your school have an educational psychologist or access to one to assess and support those youngsters with more challenging learning and emotional needs?

Yes

Do you have a parents’ group supporting the school?

Yes

Are there opportunities for parents to support the learning, activities and events within the school or on trips other than through the parent group?

Yes

Is there an opportunity for parental representation on your school Board of Governors?

Yes

Do you offer specific activities, events or information sessions for those parents new to the school and/or area?

Yes