Anfield 入 ESF 機會大嗎

Mornington

Dear Workmama, iristony625

I am new at this forum and maybe we should discuss and analyse in this way.

ESF Catchment
As many know, in the past years, it is getting harder & harder for non-ESF kinder pupils (and for ESF Kinder Cat 2 because of lower priority) to enter ESF P1 as the competition is very high particularly parents want children to study at Shatin Junior, Kowloon Junior, Beacon Hill, Clearwater Bay.  The population in these areas are very high and possibly due to the large catchment zones classified by ESF.  The competition for ESFs at HK Island are lesser because of small catchment and the effect of other good International School choices at HK Island.

ESF Kinder Cat 1 & Cat 2 Students vs Non-ESF students
ESF Kinder Cat 1 students are easily allowed to have P1 interview as they are classified as high priority than Category 2.   Even it is true that ESF kinder Cat 2 students have higher priority (of having inteview) than non-ESF kinder students and as such Anfield students are not treated as higher priority as Cat 1.  There is a increasing no. of Cat 1 students outside ESF. This is possibly due to economic downturn. The expat families (they are treated as Cat 1) are interested in ESF because the school fees are lower when compared to other ISs.  If you look at forum here discussed about ESF Abacus Kinder, you will realise why a lot of expat families (as a lot of them living in Sai Kung areas, I suppose) are applying for Clearwater Bay School.  This has affected the chance for Cat 2 students of having interview and that is way they are put on waiting list for interviews.  Despite studying at ESF Abacus Kinder, there is no guarantee (mostly for Cat 2, I suppose) to have ESF P1 interview.

English is important irrespective of students from Anfield or ESF kinders
Although most of students from Anfield can enter ESF (according to Anfield website), I think there is no guarantee.  It does not mean that Anfield/ Abacus cat 2 or other kinders students' Engligh are at low standard.  It is the ESF's policy to open the door for Cat 1 students first.  Having said that I believe Anfield has been trying/ will try best to make sure that every student has an interview.  From what I have been told, the students at Anfield are enjoying very good English environment, outspoken in English and confident.  It may not be wiser to rely on which kinder(s) having a higher percentage of entering into ESF.  From what I am doing is to try best to teach & speak in English at home with kid.  I hope these preparations will be beneficial to my kid in future and get ready for non-ESF school interviews or ESF school interview (if it is so lucky).  I found there are some useful guidelines at ESF website about Year 1 entry requirements and the suggested fun ways to increase child's confidence.  It worths reading and following it.

Do you agree teaching the kid from young age with a high level of English proficiency is more important ?

BR