[BXL]

We are planning a move from Brussels to Hong Kong for December with 2 children (4 years and 6 years) and all the schools we have contacted are full. The only school that we have found with space is The Harbour School in Kennedy Town. Does anyone have any information about this school? Thanks.

[sunfish]

Hi BXL,

I am in a similar position to you. We're moving to HK in July with our 6-year-old and 4-year-old and are struggling to find schools.

We looked at the Harbour School (it's brand new, that's why it still has places) but it may be out of our budget, especially as it is located in a more expensive part of town.

We have managed to get our older son into Lantau International School, but I will be looking at a two-hour commute every day if we live in Tung Chung.

The school situation in HK is not very good at the moment.

[sunfish]

Sorry, I didn't really answer your question.....

The Harbour School has a different set-up - it's located in an office block. Apparently they have great resources (a relative of mine visited it for me) and are planning to build a playground on the roof. It sounds good - but as I said, more expensive than ESF schools, which are all full to the brim now.

[valantino338]

Kiangsu & Chekiang Primary School - International Section ( north point),
I went to see the school in FEB, it seems ok the fees is about $5000 a month, its quite alot but its the only school we could find at the time.

You can try them and see if they got any places left.

[annie336688]

Hi,

One of ESF Primary Schools named The Peak School may still have place for year 6 child. It is very good school with excellent community. However, you must reside in the school catchment area including the Peak and part of Mid Level. Please see their website for further information:

The Peak School: www.ps.edu.hk
ESF : www.esf.edu.hk

Good luck!

Annie

Originally Posted by valantino338

Kiangsu & Chekiang Primary School - International Section ( north point),
I went to see the school in FEB, it seems ok the fees is about $5000 a month, its quite alot but its the only school we could find at the time.

You can try them and see if they got any places left.

[The Cay]

I recall reading in the Education Post that the Harbour School intergrates special needs children into their classrooms. Not that I have anything against special needs kids but I really wonder if that's the best thing to do. I have a hyperactive child in my class and he disrupts every lesson while he's there. I can't help him since I'm not trained to teach special needs students.

[Alby]

Originally Posted by The Cay

I'm not trained to teach special needs students.

Actually intergration has received both positive and negative reviews. I am from the field of that believes it works however, only when the teachers have been trained in specifics related to practical special education approaches and methods.

I am curious to know what type of training the teachers at The Harbour School have when a special needs child is in the classroom.

[KnowItAll]

Originally Posted by sunfish

We looked at the Harbour School (it's brand new, that's why it still has places) but it may be out of our budget, especially as it is located in a more expensive part of town.
.

It's located in the heart of Kennedy Town, not exactly an expensive area in town. Would suggest you put your child's name down on the waiting lists of the ESF schools you are interested in. There are people leaving all the time. Know of a couple of kids from my son's class that are moving in Dec.

[Teabaglady]

Have a look at Hong Lok Yuen International School in the New Territories - great school, field, fresh(er) air etc

[ted williams]

My son currently attends the Harbour School and we're very happy with the education that he is receiving. There are 5 kids in his class with 2 highly qualified teachers. Try and find that student-teacher ratio anywhere else.

They are planning on eventually going up to a student-teacher ratio of 9:1. Compared with ESF (Bradbury) where the ratio can be 20+:1 (we know one child with a ratio of 25:1). This is still better than all other schools in Hong Kong. The kids really get a lot of attention from the teacher -- which was the whole idea behind The Harbour School.

It is a small school -- but you can see from your first visit that the staff genuinely care for the kids. My son has made huge leaps in reading & writing since he started there. Obviously they are doing something right.

I'll be honest and say that we also initially wondered about the mainstreaming of kids into The Harbour School (The Children's Institute for special needs kids is across the hall). But it's done in a way that seems to work for all involved. My wife has sat in and observed the classroom, and everything works well. If we thought that our child was getting less than he deserves as a result of the relationship between these two schools, he wouldn't go to school there.

One final thought -- Kennedy Town isn't expensive, but most expats wouldn't choose to live there. Most kids ride a bus to and from school (my son started riding the bus when he was a little older than 3 and he LOVES it). The Harbour School also has school bus service.