Excellent IB results confirm strengths of an ESF education

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Excellent IB results confirm strengths of an ESF education

Published: 10:00am, 30 Jul 2025Updated: 11:03am, 30 Jul 2025

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The English Schools Foundation (ESF) network can take understandable pride in the exceptional results achieved in this year’s International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) exams.

Most notably, 18 students were awarded the maximum score of 45 points, while 31 achieved 44 points, and a further 68 attained a final total of 43 points.

There was, though, a consistently strong performance across the board, with 97.8 per cent, or 915 of the 936 candidates, earning their diploma. In the process, the average point score recorded was 36.3 which compares very favourably with the global average of 30.3 reported for 2024.

Other highlights of this year’s ESF results include the fact that 78 students were awarded the bilingual diploma, while another 62 successfully completed the alternative path offered by the IB Careers Related Programme (IBCP), which has more directly vocational elements in the curriculum.

The 18 perfect scorers came from six different schools and, besides celebrating with family and friends, all are now finalising their plans for university choices and courses.

In preparing for that next big step, they can benefit from the support of ESF’s Future Ready campaign. Its basic aim is to show how these exceptional students were given a platform to be the best they can be, not only in academic subjects, but also because of the transformational opportunities offered throughout their learning journey. And that support is still available as they begin to pursue new goals and look to make a positive impact in the wider world.

A good example is Kelly Chak Hoi-lam, a member of the Island School’s class of 2025, who has her sights set on studying medicine in Hong Kong. She sees this as a field where it is possible to effect meaningful change as a doctor who not only cures with the help of new advances in science and technology, but also cares for patients.

“Ultimately, I want to enhance the well-being of the Hong Kong community and contribute to a healthier society” says Chak, who is also a figure skater and an accomplished pianist. “I can’t wait to embark on a journey of lifelong learning.”

Fellow IB perfect scorer Yashasvini Agarwal has similar ambitions, believing that the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. The Discovery College graduate knows there are years of study ahead, but is keen to be part of a group that is dedicated to improving healthcare and passionate about what they do.

“I won’t just be a student of medicine. I will be a problem solver and, hopefully, an advocate for better health,” says Agarwal, who has been a leading voice in Model United Nations conferences. “With Hong Kong’s dynamic medical education and cutting-edge research opportunities, my dream of making a difference can become a reality.”

The immediate plan for Isaac Hung Man-hei of Sha Tin College is to take up an offer to study computer science at Georgia Institute of Technology in the United States. He is convinced that technology is the key to unlocking a prosperous and sustainable future and pictures himself as an entrepreneur working on innovative solutions that can enhance the general quality of life.

“I want to design systems that work to serve people, not other machines,” says Hung, who has won science awards and spent time as an intern conducting satellite navigation research at Hong Kong Polytechnic University. “Ideally, my contribution will focus solely on technology that uplifts society, strengthens human values, and can create a healthier planet. I am ready to build that future.”

Having previously attended Sha Tin Junior School, Hung is one of many top students who have taken advantage of the ESF’s “through-train” system.

This makes it possible for children to move up all the way from K1 to Year 13 at a single school, or at different schools within the ESF network. These share the same values, educational philosophy and world-class standards, while also offering a wide range of extracurricular activities.

Currently, there are 22 ESF schools in Hong Kong with a total enrolment of more than 18,000 students from close to 80 countries.

However, plans are well advanced for a further two to open in August next year. One will be the Renaissance College Kindergarten in Sai Sha in the New Territories, and it will provide a dual-language programme in English and Chinese. Pupils who start their education there will also be offered a guaranteed place at Renaissance College for the primary and secondary phases up to Year 13.

“We believe that joining us at the earliest stage possible helps students get off to a great start on their learning journey,” says ESF chief executive Belinda Greer. “By aligning the new kindergarten with the existing school, we are giving parents much needed clarity about the continuity of their child’s educational path, and we will be able to create a wonderful community for students, parents and staff.”

The same principles will guide the new Quarry Bay School Kindergarten located in Kornhill which, subject to EDB approval, will begin accepting applicants for the 2026-27 academic year. In this case, pupils will be offered a guaranteed primary school place at ESF Quarry Bay School and, subsequently, a secondary place at ESF South Island School.

“Fostering a strong foundation in the early years is essential for students to reach their full potential and be the best that they can be,” Greer says. “That is why we prioritise significant investment in this vital stage of a child’s education.”