Malvern College Hong Kong — Pak Shek Kok*

Malvern College Hong Kong is an IB World School that offers the Primary Years Programme (PYP), the Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). The seven-storey state-of-the-art campus spread across 26,000 square metres houses all its academic, sporting, and recreational spaces for the school’s primary and secondary pupils.

Some of the hallmarks of Malvern College Hong Kong are the small class sizes, low teacher-pupil ratio of around 1:10, dedicated tutor time, and a genuine concern for each child. In addition, they offer mandatory daily Chinese classes in Mandarin and simplified Chinese for all pupils, use the Nuffield Science approach to promote the study of science through experimentation and discovery, and adopt an experiential approach to the study of literature.

Malvern College Hong Kong pupils also have the opportunity to study at The Downs Malvern from Year 7 and Malvern College UK from Year 9. In addition, they have pre-school campuses in West Kowloon and Sai Ying Pun.

Location: 3 Fo Chun Road, Pak Shek Kok, New Territories
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Phone number: +852 3898 4688
Email: admissions@malverncollege.org.hk

American School Hong Kong — Tai Po*

American School Hong Kong (ASHK) is a through-train international school located in Tai Po. ASHK offers a rigorous American curriculum and the IB Diploma Programme, taught by highly experienced international teachers who inspire, motivate, and challenge students to achieve excellence.

Fully accredited from Kindergarten (age 5) to Grade 12 by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and the Middle States Association (MSA), ASHK is also authorised by the International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) to offer the IB Diploma Programme for students in Grades 11 and 12. ASHK is operated by Esol Education, the world’s largest operator of international American schools, with over 45 years of experience in establishing and running high-standard international schools worldwide.

Location: 6 Ma Chung Road, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Phone Number: +852 3919 4111 or WhatsApp
Email: admissions@ashk.edu.hk

International Montessori School — Multiple Locations

This innovative, Dual-Language Montessori community fosters the full development of each child, and caters for children aged 1–12 years old. They have campuses in Aldrich Bay, Mid-Levels, South Horizons, and Stanley, where they encourage children to be curious and learn in a natural way through exploration, experimentation, and collaboration. Every classroom is guided by two teachers, one who always addresses the children in English while the other always speaks Chinese.

Contact: Website

Stamford American School Hong Kong — Kowloon

Students here can choose between the IB Diploma with US Diploma, US Diploma, and IB Course Pathway with US Diploma pathways. They have two language-learning options:  a daily Mandarin or Spanish programme, and a bilingual Mandarin and English programme. Students from kindergarten to Grade 8 must attend weekly lessons in socio-emotional education to encourage learning, empathy, emotional management and conflict management.

Contact: Website

English Schools Foundation — Multiple Locations

This vast network of primary and secondary schools across Hong Kong is the largest provider of English-medium international education in the territory, with IB and GCSE/IGCSE, and BTEC options. They accept applications for K1, Year 1, and Year 7 from September 1-30 of the previous year. Admissions for other classes are open through the year, subject to wait lists.

Contact: Website

French International School — Multiple Locations

With campuses in Happy Valley, Chai Wan, Jardine’s Lookout, and Tseung Kwan O, the French International School offers French and International streams. It follows the French national curriculum for the French stream, and the International Primary Curriculum and English National Curriculum to IGCSE, then IB Diploma for the International stream. The school also offers its students an innovative collaboration between the two streams.

Contact: Website

Singapore International School (Hong Kong) — Aberdeen

Preparatory, primary, and secondary students here are taught a curriculum supported by Singapore’s Ministry of Education. The Singaporean curriculum with British IGCSE and IB Diploma offers a bilingual English and Putonghua programme. The school’s two campuses are linked by a bridge, each of which has a state-of-the-art auditorium, multi-functional sports hall, multi-purpose rooftop court, and library.

Contact: Website

German Swiss International School — The Peak & Pok Fu Lam

The primary and secondary classes here are split into English and German sections, with the German International Abitur offered for the German stream, and the IGCSE followed by IB provided for the English stream. Primary school facilities include a new library, a sprawling multi-purpose atrium, a rooftop playground, and a gym. Secondary school students have access to state-of-the-art labs, a library and study room, an indoor swimming pool, and a sports hall.

Contact: Website

Harrow International School — Tuen Mun

This school integrates elements of educational philosophy, practice and traditions from Harrow School in the UK, and requires applications to be submitted two years before entry. It follows the British National Curriculum for pre-prep and prep, followed by the IGCSE and A-Levels. Harrow is Hong Kong’s first and only international boarding and day school, and has excellent facilities on its 400,000 square feet campus.

Contact: Website

Kellett School — Pok Fu Lam & Kowloon Bay

This is one of the foremost British schools in Hong Kong, and follows the English National Curriculum (IGCSE, A-Levels). While the medium of instruction is English, students study Putonghua from their first year and can choose French from Year 3. They have two preparatory schools at Pok Fu Lam and Kowloon Bay, with the secondary school on the latter campus as well. Kellett is known for its small classes, low student-to-teacher ratios, and robust pastoral care.

Contact: Website

Choosing the right international school in Hong Kong can be a daunting task, as there are plenty of options available and parents’ needs differ from one family to another. Read through the following links for more information:

• International schools in Hong Kong (Education Bureau)
• Tips for choosing an international school in Hong Kong (Education Bureau)
• List of private independent schools in Hong Kong (Education Bureau)

FAQ about international schools in Hong Kong

Header image credits: Malvern College Hong Kong, American School Hong Kong, International Montessori School

* This article was done in collaboration with the above-mentioned international school. Reach out if you’d like to be included!

Other varsities in the SAR that made the top 100 are the Chinese University of Hong Kong (No. 36), the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (No. 47), the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (57), and City University of Hong Kong (No. 62). Most of the Hong Kong institutions included in this year’s rankings improved their positions from 2024, with only Lingnan University dropping to the 711-720 range from last year’s 641-650 category.

The annual ranking is formulated by Britain-based education information firm Quacquarelli Symonds, and this year’s list is its largest ever, featuring over 1,500 universities across 105 higher education systems. It uses several criteria to rank universities, such as academic reputation, employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, citations per faculty, international faculty ratio, international student ratio, international research network, employment outcomes, and sustainability.

According to Quacquarelli Symonds officials, Hong Kong’s universities are among the world’s most improved institutions after making significant gains in their reputation among employers and research performance. However, they still face challenges when it comes to employment outcomes for graduates, which the firm says they need to balance with the city’s evolving economic and political landscape.

Header image credits: The University of Hong Kong

With this move, Guidepost Montessori now has 27 campuses across Hong Kong, Singapore, Bali, and Mainland China. “We are thrilled to welcome Woodland Schools into the Guidepost Montessori family,” says Steve Xu, CEO and Founder, CEG, adding. “This allows us to further solidify our commitment to providing more families with access to high-quality Montessori education and a supportive community.”

A holistic education experience

Guidepost Montessori is dedicated to upholding the child-centred principles that have been at the heart of Woodland’s programme. “Completing this transition will mean a full, authentic Montessori curriculum designed for today’s students. That’s our pledge to the parents we serve,” says Xu, also a proud parent of two children in Guidepost schools.

The expansion and growth reflect a dedication to providing a holistic education experience that truly allows families to have it all. “Why should parents choose between a happy school and an academically challenging school? We firmly believe that you can have it all, and at Guidepost Montessori, your child’s education can be both joyful and rigorous,” says Amanda Guo, Vice President of Schools, CEG, also a Guidepost parent.

Customised curriculum for each child

At Guidepost, the authentic Montessori curriculum is scientifically structured to support the developmental needs of all children, while being uniquely customised to each individual child’s needs and interests. With Guidepost’s approach to dual-language learning, the whole curriculum is available in both English and Mandarin, and every classroom has a full-time English teacher and full-time Mandarin teacher.

Commitment to parents and communities

One thing that makes Guidepost different is the experience provided to parents. Even busy parents can be fully engaged in their children’s education easily with real-time insight into their daily activities and progression through the curriculum. Guidepost Montessori makes billing easy too, accepting credit card payments at no extra cost, and charging only tuition fees, rather than additional fees such as capital levies or registration fees.

As Guidepost Montessori expands, it remains committed to building close-knit school environments while offering the advantages of a larger network. “Our goal is to create not just exceptional schools, but thriving communities,” adds Matt Sears, Vice President of Operations, CEG, and a Guidepost parent. “Families can enjoy the sense of familiarity and personal connection within their campus while gaining access to a larger network of resources and benefits like monthly birthday parties, free events for Guidepost families, seasonal camps across Asia, and smooth transfers if a family ever relocates.”

Visitors to a Guidepost campus will have the opportunity to witness the difference first-hand, and experience the way Guidepost Montessori serves families across Asia.

For more information, visit the Guidepost Montessori website, or contact the admission team at +852 9126 6211 or admissions@guidepost.hk.

Image credits: Guidepost Montessori

*This article is a paid collaboration. To know more, read our Ethics & Transparency statement or visit this page if you’d like to advertise with us.

FIS Chai Wan Campus — Chai Wan*

Situated within the esteemed French International School Hong Kong (FIS), the Chai Wan campus offers a comprehensive educational journey for families. Fully renovated in 2022 to be converted into a kindergarten campus, it stands as a cornerstone of academic and holistic development for children from kindergarten through to upper secondary. The Chai Wan campus is part of FIS’s network of schools across Hong Kong, providing a seamless educational pathway from kindergarten to Year 13.

With a student body of 250 across 12 classes and a dedicated faculty of 20 teachers, each child receives personalised attention. The kindergarten offers both French and International streams, ensuring diverse educational opportunities.

A bright veranda sets the stage for a fulfilling kindergarten experience. Their play-based classrooms and expansive outdoor playground encourage active learning and exploration. The campus also features well-equipped sports facilities, a stocked library, and outdoor reading areas, ensuring a proper educational environment for every child.

FIS’s commitment to excellence in education assures parents of a consistent educational experience for their children. This kindergarten is an ideal choice for parents seeking stability and excellence in education for their little ones, ensuring a smooth transition from kindergarten through to upper secondary education.

Location: 1 Cheung Man Road Chai Wan, Hong Kong
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Phone Number: +852 2975 1503
Email: secretaryCW-FS-primary@lfis.edu.hk

Discovery Bay International School — Discovery Bay*

Located in the tranquil suburb of Discovery Bay, Lantau Island, Discovery Bay International School’s dedicated Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) campus is an incredible place for children aged 3 to 5 to begin their educational journey. DBIS EYFS is unique among Hong Kong schools in terms of the space available to young learners. DBIS views the environment children learn in as the third teacher; therefore, its EYFS campus is purposefully planned to develop and nurture dispositions such as resilience, problem-solving, confidence, and creativity — all crucially important not only to support learning, but also to enable children to respond effectively to their unfolding futures.

DBIS’s philosophy is centred around the belief that all children are infinitely capable, creative, and full of potential. The school’s EYFS phase identifies each child’s strengths and then supports their development from individual starting points. DBIS follows the National Curriculum of England, with EYFS specifically designed for children to begin exploring the building blocks of continuous learning in the Primary and Secondary phases of the school.

Location: Discovery Bay, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Phone Number: +852 2914 2142 (EYFS Campus) or +852 2987 7331 (Main Campus)
Email: admissions@dbis.edu.hk

Good Time International Play School & Kindergarten — Shatin*

As a leading international kindergarten since 1986, Good Time International Kindergarten adopts an Inquiry Approach to learning based on the EYFS framework of the UK. Their aim is to cultivate the next generation of individuals who can express themselves fluently and confidently in both English and Chinese. Through their innovative YouTuber training, students are given the chance to discuss various topics in front of cameras, helping them build the confidence to speak in front of any audience. Language is not taught, it’s used: Tuesdays to Fridays are dedicated to English immersion, while Mondays are solely Putonghua immersion. 

As a leading kindergarten in STEM learning, students also learn basic coding as a language for an AI-dominated future. Good Time’s vision is to transform children into leaders who excel in communication, creativity, and who care for their neighbours and the world.

Catering to ages 1-6, their programmes range from Play Groups to K3, with facilities including a concourse, cafeteria, drama studio, STEM lab, and more. They focus on equipping children for future success over the next 10-15 years.

Location: L4 Blocks C & D, Shatin Plaza, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Phone Number: +852 2601 3278, +852 9445 5085 (WhatsApp)
Email: info@deikindergarten.org

Guidepost Montessori — Multiple locations*

Guidepost Montessori is a network of schools across Hong Kong that aims to guide and empower children as they develop their independence and ability to think and do things for themselves. Their unaccompanied classes for children aged 2–6 years old will help each child realise their limitless potential.

The half-day Toddler class (2-3 years old) focuses on learning through free movement, helping children go from two-word phrases to full sentences, and supporting independent toilet use. The full-day Children’s House (3-6 years old) programme places emphasis on building independence through practical life, and provides individualised guidance with writing and reading.

Guidepost Montessori also has Enrichment Programs (2.5-6 years old) in which children get the opportunity to explore various interests and develop mastery over them, such as cooking, gardening, DIY activities, and creative classes. The schools also offer seasonal on-campus and international camps that children can attend at Guidepost campuses in Hong Kong or at locations in Mainland China and Bali.

Location: Causeway Bay, Chai Wan, Clearwater Bay, Discovery Bay, Happy Valley, Kennedy Town, Pok Fu Lam (view addresses here)
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Phone number: +852 9126 6211
Email: admissions@guidepost.hk

Malvern College Pre-School — West Kowloon & Sai Ying Pun*

Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong (MCPS) is an international pre-school for children from 2-5 years old. The school offers an Educationally Harnessed Play Programme based on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, engaging children through both structured and free play and emphasising their inquisitive nature through hands-on activities. Following the successful launch of the Coronation Circle campus in West Kowloon in August 2017, the school opened a second campus in Sai Ying Pun (Island West) in August 2019. Both campus designs are inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy, making the environment the third teacher. The pre-school is one of Hong Kong’s first to operate a Forest-Beach-School Programme.

Location: G09-12 Coronation Circle, 1 Yau Cheung Road in West Kowloon or G/F and 1/F Viking Court, 165-166 Connaught Road West in Sai Ying Pun
Contact: Website | Facebook
Phone Number: +852 3898 4688
Email: mcpsadm@malvernpreschool.hk

ICHK Hong Lok Yuen Kindergarten & Primary — Tai Po*

ICHK Kindergarten empowers children to be creative, confident, caring, resilient, and respectful. Educators believe play is central to learning, fostering creativity as children discover the world around them. The green location in Tai Po, paired with a strong outdoor education programme, provides regular opportunities to engage with nature. Their IB-PYP emergent curriculum sets learning goals based on children’s interests, helping them develop communication, self-management, and research skills. Instruction is in English, but children are immersed in Mandarin daily through stories, songs, and games. Graduates automatically progress to ICHK Primary School on the same site, adding convenience to parents.

Location: 3, Twentieth Street, Hong Lok Yuen, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Phone Number: +852 3955 3000
Email: info@ichkhly.edu.hk or admissions@ichkhly.edu.hk

Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong — Sai Kung*

Part of Nord Anglia Education’s global family of over 85 international schools, Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong is a through-train international school offering an Early Years Programme for Nursery to Reception (ages 3-5) based on the English National Curriculum EYFS framework, tailored for an international environment. At their Early Years waterfront campus in Sai Kung, children engage in structured play opportunities using a range of materials to become capable, confident learners at their own pace. Students are introduced to Mandarin Chinese from Nursery, while programmes like STEAM with MIT and Performing Arts with The Juilliard School foster holistic wellbeing and a strong academic focus.

Location: 285 Hong Kin Road, Tui Min Hoi, Sai Kung, New Territories, Hong Kong
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Phone Number: +852 3958 1488 (General) or +852 3958 1428 (Admission)
Email: admissions@nais.hk 

Tutor Time — Multiple locations

Tutor Time is a bilingual international kindergarten focused on native English and Mandarin education. The programmes are tailored to the children’s social and academic painpoints based on teacher observation, and the goal is preparing toddler and parents for admission to the most esteemed primary schools in Hong Kong. Their proprietary LifeSmart curriculum is based on Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory, where activities are based on developing 10 life skills, including setting goals and making plans, visual arts, social studies, math, nature and science, and social-emotional development. Tutor Time has a low teacher to student ratio (1:8) and colourful, modern facilities at four campuses.

Location: Central, North Point, Kowloon Tong, Yuen Long (see locations)
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Phone Number: (+852) 9123 6889
Email: info@tutortime.com.hk

Les Petits Lascars — Central & Tseung Kwan O*

Created in 2006, Les Petits Lascars French International Preschool offers French, bilingual and trilingual programmes (French/English/Mandarin) for children aged 9 months to 6 years. Emphasising a love of learning, their personalised teaching approach allows each child to develop at their own pace and thrive in a caring and stimulating environment. 14-15 children maximum per class. 7 for baby classes.

Contact: Website

St. Paul’s Church Kindergarten — Central & North Point

St. Paul’s Church Kindergarten, a public school founded in 1950, is an iconic institution located in Central with another campus in North Point. Using Cantonese, alongside English and Putonghua, the school offers holistic education. With a student-teacher ratio of 1:8, it features classrooms, a music room, a reading corner, and playgrounds.

Contact: Website

St. Anthony’s Kindergarten — Central

St. Anthony’s Kindergarten provides exceptional early childhood education, preparing children aged 2-6 for future challenges. The curriculum promotes exploration, experimentation, and problem-solving, while fostering personal-social competence and innovative high-order thinking. With no school fees for half-day K1-K3, it supports non-Chinese speaking students.

Contact: Website

Choosing the right kindergarten in Hong Kong is not an easy task, as there are plenty of options available and parents’ needs differ from one family to another. Read through the following links for more information:

• Overview of kindergarten education in Hong Kong (Education Bureau)
• Kindergarten education schemes and subsidies (Education Bureau)
• List of kindergarten and child care centers per district (Education Bureau)
• How to choose a kindergarten in Hong Kong (Hong Kong Government)

FAQ about kindergartens in Hong Kong

Header image credits: Woodland Pre-Schools

* This article was done in collaboration with the above-mentioned kindergarten. Reach out if you’d like to be included!

The school, located in Sai Ying Pun, opened in 2019 to provide families living on Hong Kong Island the option of sending their pre-nursery and kindergarten-aged children to an educational institution that draws upon the rich heritage and ethos of the almost 160-year-old Malvern College UK. Here, pupils can attend half-day or whole-day classes, during which their potential will be unlocked with a range of stimulating and developmental learning experiences.

Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum

The Island West campus of Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum designed for children aged between two and five years old. The programme uses a combination of structured and free play that encourages pupils to be inquisitive by participating in hands-on activities. It sets expectations for each age and stage of a child’s developmental progress, while allowing them to form relationships so they can thrive socially and emotionally.

Reggio Emilia-inspired campus design

Pupils spend their days in a school in which the environment is seen as the third teacher. The campus is, therefore, not divided into traditional walled classrooms, but instead has an open-plan layout in which learning areas are organised around the central indoor play area. Areas of learning and development from the EYFS curriculum are carefully reflected between the open classrooms — such as the cosy library nook and sandpit — where children acquire knowledge and social skills.

Bilingual Mandarin programme

Children who enrol at the school will have daily exposure to English and Chinese to ensure they have the greatest possible proficiency and confidence in both the written and spoken languages. Each class has one native English and native Mandarin teacher, along with their teaching partner. Pupils will also have one dedicated English Circle Time and one Mandarin Circle Time. The goal is for the children to be confident in reading, writing, and conversing in Mandarin after their three years at Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong.

Forest-Beach School

Once a fortnight, Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong children and their guardians board a bus to the school’s Forest-Beach School site in Sai Kung, where they get the chance to explore the outdoors under the supervision of a Level 3 Forest-Beach School lead. The programme is carefully planned in keeping with the EYFS curriculum to help children develop communication, collaboration, and leadership skills within small teams. During the week the children don’t attend Forest-Beach School, they visit a local park or a similar outdoor location.

Financial Literacy Programme

One of the core tenets of the school is its future-focused outlook in which teachers emphasise the foundations of economic, cultural, and social value. This resulted in the newly-launched Financial Literacy Programme in which teaching staff introduce concepts of finance from an early age through role play, stories, and engaging activities. Children have sessions at the Malvern Market — an on-campus learning space where they buy produce and other household items, each of which is assigned a monetary value to give pupils a basic understanding of finance.

Exclusive Island West programmes

The Island West campus of Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong is kickstarting its new K3 programme in August 2024, which will provide a foundation for students who may decide to move to the local stream for their primary school education. The K3 timetable will be more in line with Year One Primary expectations and will, therefore, have a more subject-oriented approach.

The school also offers a 2/3-Day Pre-Nursery Programme by which children who turn two years old within the academic year can enrol in a special transitional programme. These pupils will join the Pre-Nursery class either two days or three days a week, and then complete the full Pre-Nursery programme the following academic year.

Meet Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong (Island West)

• Address: G/F and 1/F Viking Court, 165-166 Connaught Road West, Sai Ying Pun
• Website: www.malvernpreschool.hk
• Phone number: +852 3898 4668
• Email: mcpsadm@malvernpreschool.hk

Image credits: Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong

*This article is a paid collaboration. To know more, read our Ethics & Transparency statement or visit this page if you’d like to advertise with us.”

Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong — which has campuses in Sai Ying Pun and West Kowloon — builds on the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage educational programme and works to prepare children for a smooth transition to full-time primary education. The schools cover seven interconnected areas of learning and development designed to nurture a child’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, while allowing them to form relationships in order to thrive socially and emotionally.

Each classroom in Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong has a native English-speaking teacher and a Mandarin-speaking teacher so that children gain a good standard of English and Chinese. Another highlight of Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong is its pioneering Forest-Beach School programme during which nature, the outdoors, and open spaces become the children’s havens for learning. 

Malvern College Hong Kong, located in Pak Shek Kok near the Science Park, is an authorised International Baccalaureate World School and offers the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP), and Diploma Programme (DP). It is modelled on its parent school, Malvern College UK, and implements a globally accepted and well-established curriculum, thereby preparing pupils for their studies at a wide variety of international universities.

The school uses the Nuffield Science approach in the learning and teaching of STEM subjects, which promotes the study of science through experimentation and discovery. Malvern College Hong Kong strives to create a collaborative learning environment to encourage students to take the lead in their own learning. Pupils also attend daily Chinese classes in Mandarin and simplified Chinese, and have the chance to join exchange programmes and residential learning in Mainland China.

For more information, visit the Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong and the Malvern College Hong Kong websites.

Image credits: Malvern College Pre-School Hong Kong and Malvern College Hong Kong

Back by popular demand, the show provides parents with the opportunity to gain privileged access to heads and admissions teams from elite international boarding schools.

Schools that parents will be able to meet include: Bedales, Bradfield, Dulwich, Millfield, Milton Abbey, Stonyhurst & Greshams. The focus of the event is to help families in Hong Kong make the best decisions on education for their children.

The 2024 seminar schedule for HK has been expanded to cover topics from initial application through to university options. A range of relevant topics will be covered by expert speakers throughout the day, discussing the various opportunities open to parents to help them make informed decisions about their children’s future educational needs.

Next Step Exhibitions founder David Wellesley Wesley, says: “Worldwide interest in British boarding schools continues to grow. There are currently 69,979 boarders in UK schools; 41% are from overseas families. The benefits of boarding at a leading British school are undisputed and importantly recognised by both university admissions teams and employers.”

The event is free to attend, but tickets are limited and need to be secured in advance.

For more information visit https://schoolsshow.co.uk/event/hong-kong.

Image Credit: Next Step Education

Malvern College Pre-School is opening a new K3 programme for children aged five to six years old, starting August 2024. The programme, exclusive to Malvern’s Island West campus in Sai Ying Pun, is designed to provide a foundation for students who may decide to move to the local stream for their primary school education.

The new K3 timetable will be more in line with Year One Primary expectations and will therefore adopt a more ‘subject-based’ approach. Children will follow carefully chosen and planned units that will each have a slightly different emphasis over the course of the academic year. It will also be a bilingual programme, and each class will have one Native English teacher and one Native Mandarin teacher.

The programme will adhere to the Key Stage One (KS1) (UK) Curriculum, and will include the following subjects:

• English
• Mathematics
• Physical Development
• Personal, Social and Emotional Development
• Science
• Design & Technology
• Geography
• History
• Art & Design
• Computing
• Music 

Emma-Jane Ritchie, Assistant Principal of the Island West campus, says that while the school’s pre-nursery, K1, and K2 students can decide between half-day and full-day schedules, K3 pupils will attend whole-day classes so they can cover all the subject areas. However, despite it being a “rigorous and more structured” programme, K3 children will still get their daily Discovery Time, continue their fortnightly Forest-Beach School trips, and be able to visit the park regularly as well.

In order to provide families with as many options as possible for primary school education, Ritchie adds that the Island West campus K3 curriculum will offer a “dual pathway” when it comes to their bilingual programme. “In their Mandarin lessons, the K3 children will be taught simplified characters. However, these lessons can be tailored based on individual needs, and parents can request for traditional characters to be incorporated into their child’s learning,” says Ritchie.

When asked how well the new K3 programme will prepare children for the demands of primary school, Ritchie says the curriculum will build upon what the children have been introduced to since the pre-nursery level — from the Read Write Inc. programme for English and the Karen Wilding approach in Mathematics, to the children’s formal Chinese programme that begins at the pre-nursery stage.

“We understand a family’s plan for their child’s education may change according to their development. While we do not guarantee a place in Prep 2 at Malvern College Hong Kong (MCHK), as we do for our graduating K2s into Prep 1, we do offer our K3 graduates priority into Prep 2, over external candidates. At MCHK, we welcome pupils from both international and local kindergartens, and provide the necessary support for the K3 graduates to assimilate into MCHK,” says Ritchie.

For more information, visit the Malvern College Pre-School website.

Image credits: Malvern College Pre-School

The report covered schools under the Kindergarten Education Scheme, public sector and Direct Subsidy Scheme primary and secondary schools, as well as aided special schools. While the kindergarten teacher turnover rate among those in the field for less than 10 years was 19.1%, it was 16.1% among veteran teachers who have been in the field for more than 15 years.

“There are various reasons for teacher wastage, which mainly include retirement, pursuing further studies, changing to other types of schools, taking up employment outside the teaching profession, and leaving the post due to other personal reasons,” said Christine Choi, Secretary for Education, referring to the percentage of teachers who left their jobs out of the total teacher strength in the schools surveyed.

Choi added that the government has several measures in place to support teachers and give them a stable teaching environment. Authorities will continue implementing the All-Graduate Teaching Force policy that it kickstarted in the 2019-2020 academic year, improving middle management manpower, and rationalising the salaries of school heads and deputy heads. 

“We have set salary ranges for teachers of different ranks; requesting [that] kindergartens join the scheme to remunerate their teachers within the prescribed salary ranges; and will follow up on irregular cases,” said Choi, adding that the bureau will gradually reduce the number of undergraduate intake places at primary and secondary levels between 2022 and 2025.

Header image credits: junce via Canva

While five of the Top 10 universities are in the US, there were five other Asian institutions in the Top 50: National University of Singapore (No. 24), Tsinghua University (No. 28), Nanyang NTU University (No. 34), CEIBS (No. 38), and SMU (Lee Kong Chian) (No. 43). In addition, City University of Hong Kong made it to the 121-130 rankings.

This year’s rankings evaluated 315 business schools from around the world using Britain-based education information firm Quacquarelli Symonds’s proprietary metrics around employability, entrepreneurship, ROI, thought leadership, and diversity.

Earlier this year, the University of Hong Kong beat the National University of Singapore to take the No. 2 spot in the QS World University Rankings in Asia for 2024. This was the highest position HKU had reached on the list in the past four years. Three other institutions from the city also found places among the top 20 varsities for next year: Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and City University of Hong Kong.

To read the full list, click here.

Image credits: University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

Camp Asia

Join Camp Asia for an exhilarating winter experience for your children. Camp Asia offers three weeks of captivating, fun, and engaging activities for children aged between 4 and 14 years old. Camps operate on the Stamford American School Hong Kong campus in the heart of Kowloon. You can expect state-of-the-art facilities, engaging instructors, and additional peace of mind with an on-site nurse. With flexible morning, afternoon, and full-day options, there’s something for everyone!

Topics vary for the three age groups:
* Ages 4-7 can explore the world of science and tech through experiments, robotics, and coding or try it all in the multi-activity camps to get a bit of art and crafts, storytelling, science, and sports games.
* Ages 8-10 and 11-14 can choose from topics covering art & design, coding, creative communications, science, and multi-sports.

Programmes deliver a unique experience each week, so your child can enrol for consecutive weeks and experience new activities and themes. MTR shuttle bus available from two MTR stations.

Dates: 18–22 & 27-29 December 2023, 2-5 January 2024
Ages: 4-14 years
Location: Stamford American School Hong Kong, 25 Man Fuk Road, Ho Man Tin
Price: $2,900 – $5,800
Website: Campasia.hk

Africa Centre

The three-day Afro Multi-Activity Christmas Camp aims to help children of all ethnicities develop relationships, confidence, and skills through multiple activities, such as painting, dance, designing, cooking, and drumming.

Learn more: www.africacenterhk.com

Minisport HK

Minisport winter camps, which last between 50 and 120 minutes per session, cover a different sport each day at various locations across Hong Kong. The sports include basketball, football, rugby, tennis, athletics, and team-building games.

Learn more: www.minisport.hk

Move For Life

Move For Life is conducting two dance camps this winter. The Little Movers (2-5 years) one will take participants through two main movement or creative activities with two supporting explorative activities. Move Monkeys (6-12 years) puts the focus on creative movement with different dance styles.

Learn more: www.moveforlife.asia

Ballroom Bees

Check out the different classes for children aged between 1.5 years and 12 years old in locations across Hong Kong. Choose from the five-day camp or the three-day camp — at the end of which the kids will put on a dance show for their parents and friends.

Learn more: www.ballroombees.com

Just Climb

Each four-class course at Just Climb helps children aged 4-6 and 7-11 years old develop critical thinking, strength, and a positive growth mindset. The courses take place at five locations across Hong Kong, and will be held in the second week of December.

Learn more:   justclimb.hk

The Genius Workshop

With themed camps based on the latest tech and science topics and STEM workshops based on learning core STEM knowledge, The Genius Workshop provides educational learn-through-play Christmas break camps for kids aged 4.5-14 years old.

Learn more: www.g-workshop.com

Camp Beaumont

Choose from a variety of winter camps located in different school campuses in Hong Kong, depending on how old your child is. There are two camps in December and one in January, for children kindergarteners, primary school-aged kids, and pre-teens.

Learn more: www.campbeaumont.asia

Hong Kong Forest Adventures

These one- and two-day camps in the last two weeks of December will get children aged 2-10 years old to make the most of their time outdoors by going on nature walks, creating tools they can use in the outdoors, and making shelters.

Learn more: www.hongkongforestadventures.com

Faust International Youth Theatre

If you’re looking for a Christmas camp with a dash of holiday magic, then one of Faust’s end-of-year camps may do the trick. Each programme covers topics like holiday theatre, creative writing, and musical theatre for kids in the 3-15 age group.

Learn more: www.faustworld.com

Babel Film Workshop

Got a budding filmmaker in the family? Babel offers holiday camps that cover several aspects of movie-making, from voice acting for animation and special effects for kids in the 4-11 age group, to vlogging and screenplay writing for teens.

Learn more: www.babel.com.hk

Baker and Bloom

There will be read-aloud sessions and a wide range of activities designed to enhance reading comprehension, as well as engaging hands-on projects and activities. Baker & Bloom also creates personalised coaching sessions for groups of 3-6 students.

Learn more: www.bakerandbloom.com

Ark Eden

Ark Eden offers Forest Christmas Camps that include organic farming, carpentry, and scavenger hunts, with overnight options for older children. The organisers have Santa, Grinch, and even dinosaur-themed events planned during their camps.

Learn more: www.arkedenonlantau.org

Mini Mandarins

This workshop for children aged 3-8 years old includes offerings like Christmas storytelling, Santa Claus arts and crafts, gingerbread man-making, and music box creation. Children can practise their speaking skills at the ‘Mini Metro’ in a fun play setting.

Learn more: minimandarins.com

The Living Room HK

The Rock School will have a three-day camp that will insert participants into a band situation where they will be taught basic music theory, the dynamics of playing in a band, and songwriting. The camp will end with a concert where the bands will perform for family, friends, and students.

Learn more: thelivingroom.hk

Header image credits: Camp Asia

The No. 1 university in Asia for 2024 is Peking University, which held on to the top position it secured in the previous edition of the rankings. According to the QS list, the University of Hong Kong is also the 26th best tertiary institution in the world for its “world class curriculum” and “99.4% graduate employment rate”.

In addition, Hong Kong Shue Yan University found a place among the 351-400 rankings and Hang Seng University of Hong Kong was included in the 601-650 section. Hong Kong Metropolitan University made its first appearance in the list among the varsities that ranked in the 701-750 spots.

Earlier this year, five Hong Kong universities appeared among the world’s top 100 higher education institutions in QS World University Rankings for 2024. Hong Kong placed 12th in the QS Best Student Cities 2023 rankings, going up three spots from the previous year.

Britain-based education information firm, Quacquarelli Symonds — which runs the survey of 1,500 tertiary institutes from around the world — has been compiling university rankings for 20 years. The firm uses 11 indicators to create its annual lists, including academic reputation, employer reputation and faculty/student ratio, as well as newly added criteria such as international research network, sustainability, and employment outcomes.

Header image credits: Patrick Yau via Canva, cogdogblog & PrzemekJaczewski  via WikiCommons

The institute will also make the chatbot available to eight start-ups under its HK Tech 300 programme for aspiring entrepreneurs among its students, alumni, and research staff.

Access to the university’s chatbot is free, and an advanced version will be available to researchers, teachers, and administration personnel.

City University joins the list of Hong Kong colleges that now permits its students to use generative AI in their work. 

Recently, the University of Hong Kong lifted its ban on students using ChatGPT and other generative AI applications. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology also created its own version of ChatGPT for its students, faculty and staff to use.

Previously, the Education Bureau announced that Hong Kong’s Junior Secondary students will 10-14 of hours of AI education, which will cover the use of language learning models like ChatGPT and the ethics and social impact of the technology. 

Header image credits: City University of Hong Kong via WikiCommons

“Beginning this new semester in September, a wide range of GenAI tools such as Microsoft OpenAI and Dall-E will be provided for free to all teachers and students for teaching and learning purposes,” according to a statement issued by university authorities.

The university — renowned for being the top tertiary education institution in Hong Kong — prohibited its students from using generative AI tools earlier this year, but permitted staff to access them “only for work and research-related purposes” on a trial basis until June this year.

From September onwards, the institution will also offer training, online courses, and other resources to demonstrate how to use these tools effectively. Teachers must also tell students how much generative AI they can use in their assignments and how they should cite and declare when they use these tools.

Students are encouraged to use generative AI in only their submitted work, and their learning and independent thinking will be assessed using methods such as, “device-free examinations, oral examinations, live classwork such as demonstrations and presentations, and student peer assessments.”

It was previously announced that Hong Kong’s Junior Secondary students will 10-14 of hours of AI education, including lessons on how to use ChatGPT mirror sites, from the 2023-2024 academic year onwards. The coursework will cover the use of language learning models like ChatGPT and the ethics and social impact of the technology.

Earlier this year, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology came up with its own version of ChatGPT for its students, faculty, and staff members to use. HKUST authorities had earlier permitted students to use ChatGPT via Poe, a service that allows users to ask questions and obtain answers from several AI bots built on top of large language models.

Header image credits: The University of Hong Kong via Facebook

According to the QS Best Student Cities 2023 rankings, Hong Kong’s high position is attributed to its international student population and prosperous job market. In 2022, Hong Kong placed 15th on the list.

However, the city’s high rents may deter students from living in the city, despite relatively low transport and other cost-of-living expenses. 

Tuition fees in the city fall in the mid-range at around US$16,000 (HK$125,000) per year, which is lower than the US, but more expensive than France or Germany.

Only two Asian cities featured in the Top 10: Seoul, which tied for second place with Munich and Tokyo (No. 7). Singapore came in at No. 13, and the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe area placed at No. 17.

Hong Kong higher education institutions featured prominently in the QS World University Rankings for 2024 that were released last month. 

Five tertiary institutions made it to the Top 100: The University of Hong Kong (No. 26), the Chinese University of Hong Kong (No. 47), the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (No. 60), Hong Kong Polytechnic University (No. 65), and City University (No. 70).

Three of the city’s newer universities also made it to the Times Higher Education Young University Top 10 rankings for 2023: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and the City University of Hong Kong.

For the full QS Best Student Cities 2023 rankings, click here.

Header image credits: The University of Hong Kong via Facebook

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (No. 2), the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (No. 4), and the City University of Hong Kong (No. 6) are in the Times Higher Education Young University Top 10 rankings for 2023.

Hong Kong Baptist University is among the 101-150 rankings of this year’s list.

According to the rankings, the top young university is Nanyang Technical University in Singapore. In addition, higher education institutes from France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia, and South Korea made up the rest of the Top 10.

The Times Higher Education’s Asia university rankings use the same performance indicators as its world university rankings: teaching, research, citations, international outlook, and industry income. However, the weightings are specially recalibrated to reflect the the profile of missions of young universities.

Last month, five Hong Kong universities were among the Top 20 of the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings for 2023.

Header image credits: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University via Facebook

The University of Hong Kong (No. 26), the Chinese University of Hong Kong (No. 47), the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (No. 60), Hong Kong Polytechnic University (No. 65), and City University (No. 70) are in the 12th edition of the list announced earlier this week.

In addition, Baptist University ranked at No. 295, and Lingnan University was among the 641-650 list.

However, of the seven SAR institutes featured in the list, six of them slid down the rankings, with only Hong Kong Polytechnic University holding on to its position from 2023.

Britain-based education information firm, Quacquarelli Symonds – which runs the survey of 1,500 tertiary institutes from around the world – said this drop in rankings was because of a lack of international collaboration in research and a dip in employer reputation.

“In international research network, no Hong Kong universities are among the world’s top 300. For employer reputation, the top performer is HKU which places 159th,” said QS officials.

However, several of the city’s university’s are still among Asia’s best. Last week, five SAR tertiary institutes were included in the top 20 list of the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings for 2023.

Header image credits: Hong Kong University of Science and Technology via Facebook

According to an Education Bureau memo sent out to public secondary schools earlier this week, teachers are expected to incorporate 10-14 hours of AI education into the Information and Communication Technology subject for junior secondary students, starting this September.

Students will learn basic concepts of AI, computer vision, computer speech and language, robotic reasoning, AI ethical issues, and the resulting social impact. They are also expected to present two group projects on the subject.

The content of the curriculum is based on the AI for the Future Project, an AI education project for secondary students launched in 2019 by the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Students will be taught how to create pictures and write letters using mirror sites of ChatGPT, such as Poe, as the OpenAI chatbot is not available in Hong Kong.

The Hong Kong government revealed that it would incorporate AI into the curriculum for junior secondary students in January this year.

“By incorporating (AI) into our education, students will understand the impact of innovation & technology (I&T) in improving daily life and promoting social and economic development,” said Education Bureau Principal Assistant Secretary (Curriculum Support) Edith Tse at the time.

This development comes after the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology created its own version of ChatGPT for all university members to use from June 1. 

The University of Hong Kong currently permits only staff to use the chatbot “for work and research-related purposes” on a trial basis until June 30.

Header image credits: urbancow via Canva