Welcome to the ESF Quarry Bay 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?

Quarry Bay School opened over 80 years ago and was relocated to new, purpose-built premises at Braemar Hill, on the north eastern side of Hong Kong Island in 1985. In recent years, our school premises have benefitted from being refurbished and redesigned. This has resulted in the creation of an outstanding environment for teaching and learning. The school aims to encourage a love of learning by providing learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom that help to develop confident, enthusiastic and successful learners who are able to inquire about the world. We have 40 different nationalities represented in our school contributing to a rich and diverse learning environment. Quarry Bay School is an inclusive school where all students are included as part of the school community. We feel that all children have talents which can be developed and that all children can succeed. Our school provides equality of opportunity irrespective of race, gender, religion or disability for all children. We encourage our students be active learners who work collaboratively and support one another.

Quarry Bay School prides itself on its high quality relationships; students and adults work collaboratively and support each other enabling all to reach their full potential. Children with a range of learning needs are effectively supported by the school’s Individual Needs team. The school makes provision for children with moderate learning difficulties through the support of a specialist Learning Support teacher. Quarry Bay School uses the International Baccalaureate’s Primary Years Programme (PYP) as its curriculum framework. This transdisciplinary, concept-driven approach allows us to meet the challenges of educating in the 21st century by constructing a personalised programme that is engaging, relevant, challenging and significant for our diverse school population. Making use of collaborative planning in the development of teaching and learning engagements, teachers model lifelong learning and the attributes of the IB Learner Profile to the school community. Quarry Bay School completed a successful PYP Evaluation in October 2013.

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

How do you support gifted, able and talented students?

Yes

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, the Parents Teachers Association

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