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Cannix Yau

Hong Kong’s biggest international school group has rolled out a “through-train” arrangement that will link all its kindergartens to its primary schools from September next year and guarantee pupils a place all the way to secondary graduation.
The English Schools Foundation (ESF) said on Friday that starting in the next academic year, all its kindergartens would, for the first time, be directly linked to its primary schools.
Families applying for a K1 place for the 2027-28 academic year this September will be offered a guaranteed place for their child at one of the linked primary schools.
The move completes the through-train model introduced by the ESF in 2019, when some of its primary schools were linked with associated secondary schools.
Pupils joining at K1 would know exactly which school they would attend until the end of Year 13, the group said.
“This is a significant moment in the history of ESF, one that will bring immense benefits to our students and their families,” chief executive Belinda Greer said.
According to the group, the move aims to give families greater certainty and peace of mind about their child’s schooling.

It will also allow schools to better share resources, including specialist teachers and support services, across all phases, and ensure that key transition stages between kindergarten, primary and secondary education are managed more effectively.
Greer added that the arrangement would encourage early years educators to work more closely together to better understand each child.
“Teachers in our kindergartens and their linked primary schools will collaborate deeply to understand each child’s unique learning style, ensuring the transition to primary school is a progression, not a new start,” she said.
“For our families, this means greater coherence and a seamless progression in their child’s learning. From the moment they first walk through our gates until they graduate from secondary school, each child will experience a single, connected ESF community.
“This is the next exciting chapter of our story.”
Ruth Benny, the founder of the Top Schools education consultancy, said the ESF’s new arrangement would provide families with more choice and certainty, especially for local children.
“If they can gain entry to a kindergarten at the age of three, they can relax and know that their pathway to an ESF primary and secondary school is secure,” she said.
The new arrangement is also expected to help attract and retain students, after recent reports showed the group failed to admit enough non-local students this academic year, breaching its pledge to the government.
In its latest annual report, the ESF said student enrolment remained a key focus, but warned of risks ahead both locally and internationally.
“With the uncertain global economy and the increased number of non-local curriculum offerings in Hong Kong, competition for student enrolment is expected to intensify,” the group said.
“To combat this, the group is focusing its efforts on modernising our marketing strategies to attract new audiences across Hong Kong, including various talent passes and family offices in Hong Kong.”


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Education in Hong Kong

ESF links kindergartens to primary schools, securing places through to graduation

Students engage with their teacher at the foundation's kindergarten in Tung Chung. Photo: ESF

ESF chief executive Belinda Greer says that for families, the move means greater coherence and a seamless progression in their child’s learning. Photo: May Tse

ESF has said that starting next academic year, all its kindergartens will be directly linked to its primary schools. Photo: May Tse

ESF reserves reach HK$3.75 billion, even as government subsidies shrink

The ESF has also pledged that it will modernise its marketing strategies to attract the children of talent and investors settling in the city. Photo: May Tse

In its latest report, the ESF said student enrolment continued to be an area of focus for all its schools, but noted there were some risks ahead, both locally and internationally. Photo: Sam Tsang

ESF among 8 international school operators that failed to meet non-local student targets

The English Schools Foundation says it has been increasing the proportion of non-local students since the end of the pandemic. Photo: Sam Tsang

The Education Bureau says it has written to the relevant schools, reminding them to comply with admission requirements in the coming year. Photo: Handout

News

Hong Kong

Education

ESF chief executive Belinda Greer calls through-train arrangement ‘significant’, saying it will bring immense benefits to students and families


ESF chief executive Belinda Greer calls through-train arrangement ‘significant’, saying it will bring immense benefits to students and families.


ESF - English Schools Foundation

Hong Kong children

ESF links kindergartens to primary schools, securing places through to graduation

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}ESF chief executive Belinda Greer calls through-train arrangement ‘significant’, saying it will bring immense benefits to students and families

ESF chief executive Belinda Greer calls through-train arrangement ‘significant’, saying it will bring immense benefits to students and families