ESF interview for non-guaranteed space

  1. #1

    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Posts
    2

    ESF interview for non-guaranteed space

    Hi,

    My son went to the QBS interview today, but it was for non-guaranteed space. He was sucessful, so now put on the waiting list for the available spaces. The list is only active for 5 months, and if no space was offered during this 5 months, he need to do everything from the beggining again......(take interview again, and not sure if he passes).

    I have so many friends whose kids attend QBS, but they say they have never heard of this system. I am not sure if I should be happy for today's result or not. In addition, I do not want to do the same thing again....

    Please give me advise.


  2. #2

    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Clear Water Bay
    Posts
    4

    Hi, Juno_mummy!

    We were passing interview to QBS last year.
    As I remember they were interviewing kids for confirmes place and some more in case if somebody would refuse, oir somebody would be relocating ocassionaly during summer break.
    And right after interviewthey have announced who has passed for available places and told others who passed exceeding quota that maybe there would be any arrangements withing next 2-3 months.
    From my experience I know that some students (mostly new ones that got place not in their catchment area) are starting to move to another school that is closier or more convenient. This process is starting within 1-2 months after classes begin.
    So don't worry too much, but try to find some substitute (just in case). You can also ask in QBS about your position in waiting list, though it depends on many reasons: nationality (british is best, but ESF also have some quota in order to keep diversity), sublings, and something else (sorry, forgot).
    And you can also contact ESF headquaters and ask them to explain you this situation and what does it mean.

    Regards,
    Natalia


  3. #3

    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    HK Island
    Posts
    307

    I know somebody who was offered a place last week, but declined (or will decline). They had a reserved spot for him in a specific class. I guess they're waiting to see what these kids / parents do and if not, they'll move on to children like "yours" ... in the next "group". In the end they want to make sure to fill up all 120 spaces.


  4. #4

    Join Date
    Jun 2009
    Posts
    2

    hum....i really hope my son gets a place!!!!! i really don't want to do the same process again. I hope school offered the interview since they foresee some spaces in the near future.


  5. #5

    Join Date
    May 2005
    Location
    DB
    Posts
    26

    Natalia - you are incorrect. The ESF does not have a quota system of any kind. It doesn't mater f you are British or Australian or Swedish: the first priority is to provide education in English to children who cannot access the local curriculum. They are quite explicit in this. If you have heard otherwise, put it doen to the constant rumour mongering about the ESF.


  6. #6

    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Clear Water Bay
    Posts
    4

    HappyV,

    May be I am wrong (I don't mind), but anyway we got a place one year ago.
    I just asked my daughter and she confirmed - there were one third of kids in their class who could speak cantonese fluently, same quantity could speak putonghua.

    Suppose they could access local curriculum.


  7. #7

    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    HK Island
    Posts
    307

    I think it's quite simple. You apply in your catchment area. Some areas have a higher number of expats (e.g. Bradbury, Peak) than others (Quarry Bay). Other areas have higher numbers of Chinese speaking (but also sufficient English to enter). So they go through the catchment area first, giving priority to siblings, etc. and then look at non-Cantonese speaking ... if gone through those, they'll start evaluating the second group, Cantonese speaking. I guess it depends per school who many Cantonese speaking (but also English) students have applied, based on applications. Again, this is my understanding. Bradbury had so many applications this year, that hardly any Cantonese speakers had an opportunity to get invited for the first interview, and some non-Cantonese speakers even had to get waitlisted. At QBS, this was less of an issue. Not all catchment areas are the same.

    I also know a waitlisted (non-Cantonese speaking) child was waitlisted at Bradbury, got offered an interview at QBS (since we/they are close to the border of the catchment area) but they declined and eventually they did get a spot at Bradbury.


  8. #8

    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Posts
    1

    ESF interview for non-guarantee seats

    Quote Originally Posted by juno_mummy
    hum....i really hope my son gets a place!!!!! i really don't want to do the same process again. I hope school offered the interview since they foresee some spaces in the near future.
    Hi Juno_mummy, I am really interested to know whether your son got the seat after that interview and when. How long did it take??? Today my son was interviewed for a non-guarantee seat at QBS. I really don't know when will he get the admission. Kindly give me some insight based on your experience.