English Schools Foundation

The English Schools Foundation (ESF) is the largest English-medium international school organisation in Hong Kong. Our 22 schools and comprehensive programme of extra-curricular activities bring out the best in every student through a personalised approach to learning and by inspiring curious minds.

Our strategic intent is to be the key driver of best practice in teaching and learning. Our model of education is on the cutting-edge of global innovation producing excellent outcomes for our students.

There are 17,770 students from 75 different nationalities in ESF kindergartens, primary, secondary and all-through schools. About 70% of our students have parents who are permanent residents of Hong Kong.

ESF is proud of the high academic and wider achievements of our students. In 2018, 16 ESF students achieved the perfect score of 45 points in the IB Diploma examinations; more than 95% go on to leading universities worldwide.

Our vision is for every student to be the best that they can be. Our mission is to inspire creativity and nurture global citizens and leaders of the future. We do this by creating joyful learning environments, led by a community of exceptional teachers who bring out the best in every child through a personalised approach to learning and by inspiring curious minds.

ESF has a strong and balanced governance structure that effectively enables a variety of stakeholders to participate in the decision-making process.

The Board of Governors has overall responsibility for managing ESF’s affairs, maintaining its educational standards and administering its property portfolio. Its principal functions include working with the Chief Executive Officer to establish strategic direction, review the overall curriculum strategy for all schools and ensure the efficient use of resources.

The Board is responsible for ensuring effective communication between parents and staff and for maintaining procedures for the recruitment, retention, management, development and support of all employees. Its responsibilities also include selecting and appraising the performance of the Chief Executive Officer and approving the appointment of all senior staff.

The Board is supported by a number of committees, including standing committees for Remuneration, Audit and Finance.

The Board of Governors is broadly constituted and includes ten independent members, seven directly elected parent members, one Committee of Parents Governor, three School Council Chairmen, four members of staff (including a principal) and the Chief Executive Officer (ex officio).

Each ESF primary, secondary and private independent school has a school council in accordance with the resolutions of the Board of Governors. Within this framework, the main responsibilities include working with the Principal to establish a strategic direction, approving the curriculum, ensuring that the needs of students are met and approving the annual budget. School councils are also responsible for approving senior appointments, implementing effective procedures for staff management and development and, most importantly, appraising the performance of the Principal.

Each school council which comprises a Chairman and representatives of parents, teachers, support staff and the wider community, as well as the Chief Executive’s representative.

The ESF senior management team is responsible for leading and managing the organisation. The team oversees a number of functions at the ESF Centre which supports the administration and development of ESF international schools. These functions include education, professional development, admissions, finance, audit, human resources, facilities development, information technology, alumni relations, fund-raising and communications.

The team ensures that policies are implemented consistently across the organisation and high standards are maintained.

ESF Sports and ESF Language & Learning provide a rich range of after-school activities for students which support personal growth. The ESF Sports programmes bring professional coaching to students across all ages and abilities, from starting a sport to competitive play. ESF Language & Learning programmes provide students with a range of interactive approaches to learning language.