The English Schools Foundation (ESF) has announced some big news, with all ESF kindergartens being directly linked with specific ESF primary schools from September this year. This means peace of mind for parents, who might otherwise have nervous conversations about the transition between schools for their kids. Now, they’ll have a clear picture of the long-term plan for their children’s studies. Students joining at K1 in 2027 will know exactly which school they will attend until they complete their studies at the end of Y13.
A final step in the “through-train” model, from Early Years at English Schools Foundation to graduation
ESF is Hong Kong’s largest provider of English-medium international education. In 2019, it introduced the first step towards a complete “through-train” model by linking ESF primary schools with associated ESF secondary schools.
Now, that process is being finalised, with the additional kindergarten-primary link. Families who apply for a K1 kindergarten place in the 2027/28 school year during the September Central Applications will be offered a guaranteed place for their child at one of the linked primary schools.
Belinda Greer, Chief Executive of ESF, describes it as a significant moment in the history of the foundation. “It will bring immense benefits to our students and their families,” she says. “After we make this change, when a child joins the ESF family at age three, they are securing a continuous learning pathway – one built on absolute continuity and progression, all the way until they graduate from school.”
Other benefits
Along with giving certainty to parents about their child’s schooling, the move will improve the transition from kindergarten to primary in several ways. One will be greater collaboration between schools.
“Our world-class early years educators will be able to work together more closely than ever to truly get to know each child,” says Belinda. “Teachers in our kindergartens and their linked primary schools will collaborate deeply to understand each child’s unique learning style. This will ensure that the transition to primary school is a progression, not a new start.”
This partnership could include working on curriculum alignment, social scaffolding and specialist support, or organising joint play sessions or “experience days”, where K2 students spend time in their future primary classrooms.
Beyond these benefits to students, parents will join a lifelong network when they enrol their children at ESF. This includes access to cross-school workshops, a unified parent portal, and a consistent communication style over 15 years of education.
A look at how ESF kindergartens will be linked to ESF primary and secondary schools
The educational pathway for K1 in 2027/28 and onwards will include the through-train connections set out below. Once they complete K2, children will be offered a guaranteed Y1 place at one of the associated primary schools.
Current ESF kindergartens
Hillside International Kindergarten
Associated ESF primary schools: Bradbury School; Glenealy School; Peak School
Associated ESF secondary schools: South Island School (from Bradbury); Island School (from Glenealy and Peak)
Wu Kai Sha International Kindergarten
Associated ESF primary schools: Sha Tin Junior School; Beacon Hill School
Associated ESF secondary schools: Sha Tin College (from Sha Tin Junior); Island School (from Beacon Hill)
Tsing Yi International Kindergarten
Associated ESF primary schools: Kowloon Junior School; Beacon Hill School; Discovery College
Associated ESF secondary schools: King George V School (from Kowloon Junior); Island School (from Beacon Hill); Discovery College
New kindergartens opening in August 2026
West Kowloon Kindergarten
Associated ESF primary schools: Clearwater Bay School; Kennedy School
Associated ESF secondary schools: King George V School (from Clearwater Bay); West Island School (from Kennedy)
Quarry Bay School Kindergarten
Associated ESF primary schools: Quarry Bay School
Associated ESF secondary schools: South Island School
Renaissance College Kindergarten
Associated ESF primary schools: Renaissance College
Associated ESF secondary schools: Renaissance College
Apply now for Early Years at ESF
- Applications to K1 for the 2027/28 school year are open during ESF’s September Central Applications period. This runs 1 to 30 September this year.
- Children born in 2024 will be the first cohort of the new approach to Early Years at ESF. They will start Year 1 in August 2029.
- Note that if you miss the September Central Application window, you can still submit an application. You will just be wait-listed behind on-time applications.
A final word
Belinda Greer says, “By completing our through-train model, ESF is evolving from a network of associated, individual schools, into a truly unified education system. 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.”
Find out more at join-us.esf.edu.hk/earlyyearsnewapproach.
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