Admissions Consulting Services 2017/2018
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Admissions Consulting Services 2017/2018 22A Crawford Tower 99 Jervois Street Sheung Wan, Hong Kong Looking for a school in Hong Kong? T: 3565 5867 E: [email protected] www.topschools.com.hk www.facebook.com/ www.facebook.com/ groups/hkschools groups/hkschools2 WE CAN HELP! @topschoolshk #topschoolshk 2 3 “Good knowledge of and contacts at HK primary and secondary schools. Made school selection process a lot easier. Don’t think I would - haveAE, Hong gotten Kong WHY US? We are completely independent acceptances without her help. Highly recommend!!” education experts. We work with clients and parents to develop a strategic, realistic and flexible approach to choosing a school...and having that school choose your child! We specialise in school placements and this is all we do. We are focused, and small enough to deliver a personal service. 4 5 Sarah Bowler, Consultant Ruth Benny, Head Girl Sarah has held positions as Head of Admissions and The founder of Top Schools. Ruth is a former teacher, teacher Admissions / Business Development Director at trainer and mother of two primary school children. With 20 schools in the UK and Singapore. years’ experience of the education system in Hong Kong, she The mother of a 9 year old boy in an ESF school, thoroughly understands its complexity and fierce competition. having previously attended a local school in Singapore, Ruth mostly works with families of preschoolers to plan for she understands both systems well. entry into the primary school of their choice. Sarah holds a Montessori Teaching Diploma and has She has particular expertise in advising families on bilingual worked in the education field for more than 7 years. education. She has particular expertise in advising on special needs support and therapies. Jacqueline Yung, Consultant Sophia Liang, Consultant Jacqui is born in Hong Kong and educated in Hong Kong and the UK. She speaks fluent Cantonese, English and Putonghua. Born and brought up in Hong Kong, Sophia went to various schools with Mandarin, Cantonese and English WHO ARE WE? as the medium of instruction. She has a degree from Hong Kong and an MBA from Warwick Business Jessica Yuen, Consultant School in the UK. Before taking a few years break from her career, Jessica was born and raised in Hong Kong. She attended Sophia worked in a bank for many years, lastly as a firstly an ESF primary school and, later, Australian International Relationship Manager providing consultancy services School before leaving to continue her education in Australia. to senior colleagues. She obtained a Bachelor of Education (Honours) and went Sophia is mother of one daughter attending on to study for two further degrees in Education in Hong international primary school in Hong Kong. Kong and Australia. She speaks Cantonese, Mandarin and English at native Jessica has worked for the English Schools Foundation (ESF) levels and is keen on building trusted relationship as an administrator and as an educator. with families to help their children get into the best fit She speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin. schools. Nicola Lewis, Consultant Maureen Ho, Executive Assistant With a legal background, Nicola has more recently been Maureen is an experienced administrator and office working for a multinational company specializing in school manager with over 9 years’ experience. She holds placements across Asia. She has an excellent understanding qualifications in Business Administration and Business of different curricula and the challenges of moving families Studies from the University of Wales (UK) and across continents. Charles Sturt University (Australia). She speaks English, Nicola has spent nearly two decades in Hong Kong and with Cantonese and Putonghua. three children she fully understands the need for proper planning to meet the individual requirements of families. She has personal experience of navigating both the local and international schools in Hong Kong and transitioning between these systems. 6 7 1 Initial discussion and questionnaire 5 Applications We prefer to meet you face-to face. We can check and advise you on your applications and supplementary information to give you the best chance of success. We’ll ascertain how much you know about the options We can advise on debentures. available and fill you in where you have gaps. We’ll then guide you through a questionnaire to understand your family background, current schooling situation and expectations. 6 Interview preparation We’ll advise on the format of child assessments and parent interviews and brief you on what to do/say and what not to. 2 Analysis and follow-up discussion We’ll analyse your responses to the questionnaire and generate a ‘long list’ then speak with you again to discuss and shorten the list. 7 Follow-up Once an application is submitted, we can check with the school to understand actual vacancies and the waitlist situation. 3 Shortlist Lastly, we can advise on choosing a school, if multiple offers are received (as they often are!). Next, we’ll draw up a list of schools and send the detailed information to you in a comparable table format. We’ll arrange for you to visit the schools. We have developed good relationships with the schools and can often arrange visits outside their normal schedule. HOW DO WE GUIDE YOU? 4 Timeline We’ll make sure that you don’t miss any application deadlines, based on your child’s date of birth and each specific school’s requirements. “Ruth was a huge help with her advice and steer in respect of navigating the minefield that is HK education. Ruth is an absolute professional and knows all there is to know when it comes to HK schools. I have absolutely no reservations in endorsing her and would recommend you reach out to her for advice or assistance to -help JB, Hongsecure Kong the right school for your children.” 8 9 What We Do... The Top Schools’ Difference Strategise We have a 100% success rate. We guide parents through a confusing array of options. We give honest, unbiased advice on the probability of acceptance for immediate arrival Our small team collectively boasts 70 years’ of Hong Kong-specific and the following few years. education experience. We can plan viable alternative options, including an interim placement, entirely personalised fully flexible local school or a school providing additional support for ESL, or other Our services are and to individual learning needs. accommodate each client’s unique requirements. We understand that the “perfect school” doesn’t exist, so we look to We have verifiable, in-depth knowledge of the Hong Kong education match family and school, based on their priorities. If a compromise is system (local and international); we make recommendations based on necessary, we advise on where, when and how this should happen with fact, not hearsay or personal opinion! the family’s best interests and mid, or even, long-term goals in mind. We maintain good relationships with schools, parents and other stakeholders are regarded as influencers in the industry. Customise We get to know each of our families well and understand their As seen on/in: preferences as well as their child’s academic, emotional and social needs. From there, we manage expectations throughout the process with one dedicated consultant. We can modify a plan at any stage to suit changing preferences and expectations. Empathise Our senior consultants are all parents too and we’ve been through the process. Between us, we have - or had - our own children in seven of Hong Kong’s top schools. Our consultants speak English, Cantonese, Putonghua. 10 11 For Families... If you are: • Hong Kong parents of children aged up to 16/17 • Expectant parents • Parents relocating to Hong Kong • Hong Kong Chinese, Mainland Chinese, Expats and everything in between! or • applying late • frustrated/confused/stuck/stressed • keen on a “local” school… • concerned about Chinese proficiency • in need of English support • on a budget 12 13 Type Of School Grade Calendar Academic Year 2017/18 Type of Fee Range Curriculum Funding Admissions Policy Child School (approx) Born In Age Hong Kong Australian England USA/ Canada IB Government Hong Kong 100% Government $0 Primary One 2015 2 PN - - - - - Funding Admissions (POA): Aided Discretionary Places 2014 3 K1 Nursery - - Central Allocation Reception/ Foundation Transition Stage Door Knocking 2013 4 K2 Reception Pre-K Kindergarten Direct Hong Kong, with Partial $1,000 - Selective: Apply 2012 5 K3 Preparatory Year1 Kindergarten Key Stage Subsidy some flexibility Government 105,000 directly 1 Scheme to offer alternate funding 2011 6 P1 Year1 Year2 Grade1 (DSS) curricula to a minority of students 2010 7 P2 Year2 Year3 Grade2 IB PYP Elementary ESF Schools Non - local: Partial government $83,000 - Non-Selective: Apply 2009 8 P3 Year3 Year4 Primary Grade3 International funding for 123, 500 directly. Key Stage Baccalaureate, students joining 2 2008 9 P4 Primary Year4 Year5 Grade4 IGCSEs, BTEC prior to 2016 and those joining 2007 10 P5 Year5 Year6 Grade5 in higher grades. Mostly funded by 2006 11 P6 Year6 Year7 Grade6 tuition fees Key Stage 2005 12 S1 Year7 Year8 Grade7 Useful Information Private 3 2004 13 S2 Year8 Year9 Grade8 Private Mostly Hong Kong; 100% funded 25,000 - Selective: Apply School Middle schools also non-local by tuition fees/ 95,000 directly Secondary curricula fundraising 2003 14 S3 Year9 Year10 Key Stage Grade9 IB MYP 4/GCSE/ Secondary International Non - local: $72,000 - Selective: Apply 2002 15 S4 Year10 Year11 IGCSE Grade10 Schools International 200,000 directly. Newer Baccalaureate, international schools 2001 16 S5 Year11 Year12 Grade11 A Level/ Senior IGCSEs, A Levels, are required to High School (HKDSE) Secondary BTEC International admit a minimum 2000 17 S6 Year12 Year13 Grade12 IB DP Primary Curriculum, number of students Montessori, holding foreign * This applies to schools accepting children born 1 Jan - 31 Dec into the year group, whereas not all schools do.