教育王國

標題: two questions about studying in UK [打印本頁]

作者: Ruby1219 時間: 12-1-25 23:11 標題: two questions about studying in UK

my son is now studying in international school Yr 7.
heard that if going to UK, usually either Yr 7 or Yr 9. But we prefer him to go later. Then, what's the 'best' year to join UK middle school ? Yr 10? 11? or 12?

and, what are the best middle schools for boys ? sorry i am totally ignorant about UK schools.

thanks for help in advance.

作者: anglo-chinese 時間: 12-1-25 23:49

usually if possible, people choose to go Year 9 so that they can take the GCSE in UK, this has implications if you hold 居英權 so that they can qualify local fees in university (as they need to live in UK for 3 years to qualify)
if fees is not a concern than many choose to go at year 11, that's after F.5, they can go to study IB, A-Level or pre-U course or foundation. Some parents prefer that so that they can have a better chinese foundation

good middle schools for boys: Harrow, Winchester

作者: anglo-chinese 時間: 12-1-26 00:43

usually if possible, people choose to go Year 9 so that they can take the GCSE in UK, this has implications if you hold 居英權 so that they can qualify local fees in university (as they need to live in UK for 3 years to qualify)
if fees is not a concern than many choose to go at year 11, that's after F.5, they can go to study IB, A-Level or pre-U course or foundation. Some parents prefer that so that they can have a better chinese foundation

good middle schools for boys: Harrow, Winchester

作者: Ruby1219 時間: 12-1-26 16:11

Thank you so much for your reply.
But after F.5 should be Year 12 right? My son is not in international school following the UK system already. So, if he finishes F.5 here in HK, it should be Year 11. And he should start A-Level/IBDP in UK for Year 12-13 right?
If I target at top schools like Winchester, Harrow, etc, when should I start the application? And, shall I go through agent ?

Thanks!

作者: anglo-chinese 時間: 12-1-26 16:51

after F.5 is year 12, yes. However, UK also call them Lower Sixth/Upper Sixth. I prefer calling like HK system, 5th form, 6th Form etc. easier to understand
so after F.5 he can start A-Level or IB in UK
if you target top school they only accept students in Year 9 (Form 3), You need to apply when you son is in HK local school Form 1, or age 12. I know parents even start applying in primary school to study in UK. My latest kid with me, is only 13 but study Year 9 in Winchester, because they said they will not accept if not. Start your application in Sept, they usually offer by February
Please bear in mind, HK kid is 1 year older than UK kid, because UK start schooling at the age of 5 but HK at 6. So some of the schools will say please come at to study Year 9 at the age of 13 simply because this will match the age with other local kids. of course, your son need to get into the standard as well.
going through agency is an option, but you can also apply direct to schools. Good agency will not charge you anything, and help you along. They collect their fees direct from schools. Because of immigration rules, school prefer parents to go through agency so they can help with immigration problems.

作者: Ruby1219 時間: 12-1-26 17:23 標題: 回覆：two questions about studying in UK

Thank you v much.
My son is 11 and he is in year 7 now in GSIS. So, should be in line with the age level of UK schools.
But you mean the top schools don't accept new students after year 9? Or, very difficult to get in?
Even if we 捨得 let our son go in year 9, I heard we are already late now to apply for year9 of top school?
Also, I heard that most top schools don't do admission through agent? Maybe becos they can save the commission for
agent?

作者: anglo-chinese 時間: 12-1-26 18:24

halo

in general very top schools do not accept students after Year 9. that's because all students remain and rarely have students that leave the school. Although there's some opportunity to join in Year 12 (i.e. Dulwich College), is best to join in Year 9
some top schools do use agents, mainly because of the new immigration rules, the school becomes a sponsor to the student. If the student "disappear" it is the school responsibility and might lose their sponsorship status. So using an agent helps to screen potential candidates. For HK students (especially if you have British citizenship or even HK passport) this is not a problem.
You are more than welcome to apply now. Is only January, and they just process the scholarship application. Your best chance if you want to join for Year9 is to tell them you are willing to travel to UK for the entrance exam. This will increase your chance to apply.
About going to boarding so young, I totally understand. I have moms calling me at 02:00am in HKT time to UK to speak to me because they have difficulties in letting go. We are all very used to knowing what the child is doing, and sending them to UK it becomes difficult to track.

作者: Ruby1219 時間: 12-1-26 19:02 標題: 回覆：two questions about studying in UK

Thanks a lot : )
Would have to seriously think about it as we are really not ready to send our son away in two years' time!

作者: dkshing 時間: 12-1-26 22:25

a thorought preparation is needed. there are 2 types of school, i.e. independent & state school, foreign students mostly go to independent school, (quality & reputation are better). 2 things to consider, $ & the ranking, schools with higher ranking usually are bit expensive, (not all), for eg, if your son is caterogorize as band 2, it would be difficult for him to study at a band 1 school. say for Dulwich College (a boy school), abt 10 mins from Victoria stn, very convenient. the fare is £10,213 @term (3 terms @ yr), it is very famous, most students from HK are coming from La Salle, DBS, St. Jopheph, etc. those top band 1 schools. Its erollment exam is not easy. they have a rep in HK (Sun Hung Ki Centre, Wanchai). You can visit its website. But it is better to look for more school that most fit your son. British Council has lot of info. 1 thing, don't fully trust the agency, some are really pure $ orientated, gather more info

作者: HKdevil 時間: 12-1-27 00:04

What about those state schools then, what do you think of their standings? especially state boarding. DKShing you seems very family with the uk system, could you enlighten us more?

作者: dkshing 時間: 12-1-27 12:56

general speaking, state school can be said as run by govt, and independent school means private school, several years ago, the ranking only for independent school, and now the ranking is also include state schools. the top 100 schools are mostly come from independent school, but it does'nt mean state school is worse, some state schools are within top 10, but very few. talk to you later, sorry.

作者: dkshing 時間: 12-1-27 14:17

state schools usually do not provide boarding facilities. students from aboard studying in state school usually have relatives or friends nearby to provide accomodation. Unless, you have friends or relatives living in a town where there is a very good state school and they are willing to act as your child guardian. Otherwise, it is much better to study in independent school. It's hard to find a school that most fit to your child as you know what we call in Ch Saying 'Buy a cow but was boarded by a hill'. So gather more info. from agencies or British Council, and particularly go to the web site of that school that you prefer enable you to a general scope of the school, ie. its, facilities, ranking, location, fare, etc.

作者: HKdevil 時間: 12-1-27 15:07

回復 dkshing 的帖子

Thank you very much for the details information, I know that there are state boarding schools as well, how can I know if they are any good?

Thanks

作者: Ruby1219 時間: 12-1-27 19:00

dear dkshing,

thank you so much!

so in your opinion, is it too late/no point if i send my son to UK for secondary education after Year 9 ? dulwich is really expensive, that fee you mentioned, does it include boarding fee? it's very near to london right?

any other good independent schools you would recommend?

thanks again in advance.

作者: dkshing 時間: 12-1-27 19:01

For the independent school, an authority which is the Independent Schools Council (ISC) will inspect those schools,compile and publish the inspection reports of the school. You can either visit the school or the council web site to see the report. It is very comphrensive. However, I don't know if the state schools are also have the inspection made the educational authority. U know that every school would boost how best the school. etc. (window dressing). So, ask any friends if they know abt the school, visit its web site, ask the agents, British Council has a book listed numbers of independent school of their info. 1 thing, well prepare for your child to find the one that fit him/her, it is extremely important as you will not known what will happen when your child study aboard.

作者: dkshing 時間: 12-1-27 19:46

it's hard to say if it's too late that the child study after Yr 9. Before the introducation of the HKE Diploma, most HK students will study yr 10 (form 4) or yr 12 (form 6). Then, they can take GCSE/AL, if not good, can take again so as to choose the best result of that subject. But now, i am not so sure the new 334 could integrate to the UK system. So, it is best to ask the agents or British Council & sure they will provide update info. see this web site:http://www.britishunited.net/, very detailed. Dulwich College is bit expensive, the fare includes boarding, it has a very good reputation.The average fare of independent school is around £8,000 to 9,500 something @term. As far as i know, schools charge higher fare usually are higher in ranking, the no. of their students go to the top 10 UK U are greater than others. BTW, check the web site that i mentioned before, see the school fare, ranking, location, etc of individual schools.

作者: vichuie 時間: 12-1-28 04:19

Just wonder if anyone could kindly give advice on St George's School for Girls in Edinburgh? Personal experience would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

作者: Fate 時間: 12-1-28 04:40

Dear All Planning Ahead Parents,

Let me share some of my own and my friends' experiences with you.

Agent

NONE of my 3 HK friends and I hired an agent when getting our boys into our grammar schools/private schools back in 2008/09.

I applied to the school (For Year 7) directly while us in Australia back in 2009 for my elder boy - the grammar school was ranked 1st in the Times League Table in 2008 (State Schools Category - about 3,500 of them in England & Wales)

A friend applied (Year 9) Sevenoak School (Private, http://www.sevenoaksschool.org/) , the other applied (Year 10)  Colchester High School (Private, http://www.colchesterhighschool.co.uk/), and the last friend took his boy's HK Band 1 school result to a Grammar School in Slough and his boy got in Year 7!

State Schools With Boarding

There are some (though not many) State Schools provide Boarding.

In fact, one of the very top State School, Colchester Royal Grammar School (http://www.crgs.co.uk/) does offer Boarding. For more information, please visit, http://www.crgs.co.uk/the-school/boarding

Its Headteacher  recently visited HK and had dinner organised by parents of Ex-students,
http://www.crgs.co.uk/news/schoo ... l-news&start=10

For more information, please visit http://www.sbsa.org.uk/

League Tables

To have a better understanding of any school, it may be worthwhile to have a look of the latest League Table.

The UK government just published its PREFERRED School League Table on 26 January 2012, showing schools passing 5 GOOD GCSE (i.e. NOT counting 'soft, easy' subject like Media Study), please check the following links,

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-16729387  GCSE League Tables
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-16730014  Key Stage 5 Tables

Additional Information

1)  http://www.ngsa.org.uk/faqs.php

2) There are other ways of getting into an Excellent Private School like taking its Scholarship Test (Academic or Music category), though most offer only some reduction (i.e. NOT ALL) in fee.

Some Excellent Grammar Schools also set aside certain places for those displaying Great Music Skill/Potentials. Have a read of the following story :
http://www.qebarnet.co.uk/achievements
(QEB is one of the very top Grammar Schools)
Eigo rises to the challenge

Eigo Takeda is a high-flier, even by the standards of QE: he gained straight A*s in his A-levels, won a place to read Mathematics at Cambridge and played in two national youth orchestras. Yet he spoke no English at all when he arrived in England at the age of nine and was still struggling with the language when he came to QE two years later.

His mother took the bold decision to put him forward for a place at QE. Eigo was already showing promise as a violinist, so in addition to the general entrance tests, he sat Music auditions for QE. “In Year 7, I was quite overwhelmed by the other boys: they were really competitive and intelligent, and I was in the bottom set,” Eigo says.

Slowly but surely, however, he began to advance, thanks to hard work and a positive attitude. By the time Eigo took his GCSEs, the linguistic challenges were largely overcome, as evidenced by his 11 A* grades and 2 As, including A*s in English and English Literature.

His music also advanced. He gained his Grade 8 at violin in Year 9 and his Diploma two years later, eventually winning places with both the English Schools Orchestra and National Children’s Chamber Orchestra. He also played for the school’s Symphony Orchestra, String Quartet and Camerata (strings orchestra).

Reflecting on his seven years at QE, Eigo said: “It’s an excellent school with a great environment, where everyone is so competitive and intelligent. You are pushed to work hard because you don’t want to be left behind: it’s not forced on you; you are forcing yourself.”

Good Luck to all of you - Keep Up the Hard Work!
My wife and I always remind our boys,
'All the Hard Work WILL pay off, one day!'

Cheers

Fate
Together We Build a Global Network
www.myboysmyboss.blogspot.com
www.fatesecrets.blogspot.com

作者: Tommy 時間: 12-1-29 00:59

Very much appreciate Fate's sharing and useful information.  I also want to ask two questions:

Is it almost impossible to gain a Year 10 place in grammar schools?  Is it a good alternative to study in a "non-selective" Ofsted-ranked Good / Outstanding state boarding shcool?

Since 2010, British government  has been promoting "English Baccalaureate" as a performance measurement.  Is it more preferable to follow this trend if students target the top UK universities?  How about at A Level?  Students will take 3 science subjects, 3 humanity subjects, or they will do a mixed?

Many thanks
Tommy

作者: Fate 時間: 12-1-30 03:08

本帖最後由 Fate 於 12-1-30 05:58 編輯

Hi Tommy,

Let me share with you & other parents of my OWN and my friends' experience.

1) Mission Impossible?

Your question,
'Is it almost impossible to gain a Year 10 place in grammar schools? '

The short answer to it is ,
'Yes. It is Impossible for those NOT preparing themselves, NOT planning ahead, NOT persistent enough, NOT focusing enough etc.'

Another answer to it is, (And I always say this to our boys)
'No. Everything is POSSIBLE - provided that one puts in the Time, Energy and Thought into a task.'

My OWN two examples :

a) When I applied for Internal promotion from PC to Inspector while with the (Royal) HK Police, everyone told me it was good for me to have the experience (i.e. NOONE thought I was going to make it because very very few made it like this in the past) but I made it with my First & Only attempt.

b) When I applied for my elder boy for the England's grammar school while us in OZ, my wife & I were unsure if our elder boy could pass the 11+, as he had never been exposed tothe  British Curriculum & we'd only about 3 months to help him preparing the tests. We'd selected 3 of the top 50 grammar schools in England, one of which was the ranked No.1 at the time.

I just told my boy,
'Just try your Best, the whole point is about knowing where you are at, OK.
You may not make it this time or next time.
But as long as long one keeps trying their Best Every Time, they'll make it Over Time, OK?'

And my elder boy made it - got himself a place at the No.1 school, saving us about £15,000 a year school fee if he had to attend a private school with similar academic results/reputation.

Others examples :

Although every parent was informed of their child's secondary school allocation on 1 March, my English friend insisted waiting fora vacancy at a grammar school - she intended to home schooling her boy until someone NOT accepting the school's offer. And someone did go to another school and her child attended the grammar school a week after school starting.

I got another friend, my neighbour from HK. She flied to UK with her boy in 2007, staying in UK for 4 days only  just to take the grammar school 11+ Test. She got a taxi waiting outside the school, so that when her son finished the test, the taxi took them both to Heathrow airport right away. He is now a Year 10 student at the same grammar school as my elder boy.

My point is, Tommy, do NOT let anyone DISENCOURAGE you.
Do NOT let anyone write your boys' Future.
There is always an Exception in everything in Life.
I made it before. My friends made it before. So can you or any other parent.
.
You've to checd it YOURSELF - checking the websites of the grammar schools that you are interested in, and see if you're impressed by what they could offer first, then if interested read through their Admission procedure IN DETAILS.

So, you may wish to start visiting some of the grammar schools from the League Tables I listed above, like CRGS or for others, HB,
http://www.crgs.co.uk/the-school/admissions
http://www.hbschool.org.uk/stylesheet.asp?file=431_years_8-11

Even in my elder boy's grammar school, there was a student left at the end of his Year 9 last year, so there was a vacancy.

2) Plan B?

Your question,
'Is it a good alternative to study in a "non-selective" Ofsted-ranked Good / Outstanding state boarding school?'

The only school I am familiar with on the Boarding School List I provided above is the CRGS (Colcehester Royal Grammar School).
But its Boarding Fee is dear - £10,000 a year and because it is a State School, you do need to be a holder of a Full UK passport.
Furthermore, there is a lot of competition in getting a place thereat, as it has one of the highest rate of getting its students into Oxbridge (about 20% of its A Level students)

If one goes for Good/Outstanding school WITHOUT Boarding, then the parent has to be prepared to pay a Premium for the house price/rental.
Because there is a HUGE demand for Excellent, Day, 'Non Grammar/Selective' School' which accepting students living in their Catchment Area, pushing up the house price/rental cost (please check the League Tables I provided above to find some good/excellent schools in this category).

3) EB/A Level Subjects?

Your question,

' Since 2010, British government  has been promoting "English Baccalaureate" as a performance measurement.  Is it more preferable to follow this trend if students target the top UK universities?  How about at A Level?  Students will take 3 science subjects, 3 humanity subjects, or they will do a mixed?'

It is essential to understand what exactly EB is. Please refer to the following link,
http://www.education.gov.uk/schools/teachingandlearning/qualifications/englishbac/a0075975/theenglishbaccalaureate

EB has indeed divided Opinions:http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-12160738

You can visit one of the very top schools & have a look of its curriculum (and other schools that you are interested too) to get some ideas what A Levels subjects/how many are being studied, again I use the CRGS as an example,http://www.crgs.co.uk/academic/the-curriculum

My elder boy's grammar school does offer EB, most students study 3 Relevant A Levels (i.e.Relevant to their subsequent Uni Degree Course, e.g. Biology/Chemistry for Pharmacy) + General Studies (i.e. minimum of 4 A level), with those more capable doing 5 A Levels, please refer to the following link for further information,http://www.colytongrammar.devon.sch.uk/curriculum/curric-outline/index.htm

My elder boy's grammar school had its best year in terms of students getting into Oxbridge last year : 20 out of about 102 Sixth Formers.
Please refer to the following E mail from the Headteacher.

On 26 January 2012 21:03, ParentMail <[email protected]> wrote:

National Performance Tables for KS4 and KS5 were published by the Government today.

(26 January 2012). At GCSE, Colyton was ranked fourth and at A level 10th Nationally.
We were the top ranked, state mixed sex school in both tables.

I am delighted to see that the hard work of students and staff has been recognised by these tables, that place Colyton at the top of rankings of state and independent schools nationally. The sI uccess at GCSE is particularly gratifying given that students take their GCSEs at the end of Y10, a year earlier than normal.

Of course, there's far more to a good school than that recorded in these tables, which are only a snapshot. Successful schools have happy students who are engaged in a wide range of sports, the arts and other activities. We are keen to develop the whole person and make our students good leaders and enthusiastic independent learners.

Nearly twenty percent of our leavers last summer started degrees at Oxbridge colleges and we are successful at supporting students to get places at competitive courses in the best Universities.
Nevertheless, it is gratifying to see the success of our young people. We are a school where the three key elements for school success come together, enthusiastic learners, outstanding teachers and supportive parents.

If you have not yet registered and expressed your opinions of the school on the OFSTED Your School, please visit http://parentview.ofsted.gov.uk/login?destination=give-your-views

Paul Evans Head teacher

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-16729387 GCSE League Tables 4th Nationally

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-16730014 Key Stage 5 Tables- 10th Nationally

4) Sharing?

My family is to return HK for a 5-week holiday in July/Aug, and may share more with some of our friends that we have known through BK over the years - some of their children are planning to study in UK in the next few years.

Good Luck.

Best wishes to every planning ahead parents - never easy to be a Responsible parent!
(May see some of you in HK when us in HK later this year)

THIS IS MY LAST INPUT FOR THE TIME BEING - I've to help our younger boy (aged 9) preparing his 11+ test scheduled this October. (He loves to join his elder brother! Year 7 is the BIGGEST intake for any grammar school)

Fate
Together We Make Things Easier
For Ourselves, For Our Children
www.myboysmyboss.blogspot.com
www.fatesecrets.blogspot.com

作者: Tommy 時間: 12-1-31 00:22

本帖最後由 Tommy 於 12-1-31 00:28 編輯

回復 Fate 的帖子

Fate,

I’m moved by your tremendous effort to answer my questions. Every word in your reply is thoughtful and inspiring. Not only good for the school search, but also good for how we lead our lives.

I’ll remember and pass to my sons your 3Ps key words, Preparing, Planning ahead, Persistent. Particularly, I’m enlightened by “There is always an Exception in everything in Life.” It’s so true! But we always miss it.

I’m actually at the initial stage to do school search in UK. Your named schools seem to be MISSION IMPOSSIBLE to my boys! Nevertheless, there is always an exception in everything in life. Your encouraging message comes at the right time while I’m in a puzzle as to what to do next.

Moreover, I’m very impressed by your unconditional love to your boys. I’m also a father of two boys. Yes, it’s so hard to be a responsible father. There is a lot for us to do. Well, wish you and me success in the school search.

Tommy

作者: Fate 時間: 12-2-1 17:56

本帖最後由 Fate 於 12-2-1 17:57 編輯

Hi Tommy,

I am very pleased to hear that you've become More Focus.

It is NEVER about me telling others what they should be doing, but more about EMPOWERING others what they think is the BEST for their child/ren by me sharing what I have done/experienced/seen.

As stated before, I am extremely busy at the moment with several things happening at the same time, not to mention that I've a book to complete writing within 2 months (if not sooner).

But just to drop a quick note.

I've seen, to some, 'Miracles' happening again and again over the last few years - how children progressing at an amusing speed WHEN THE ENVIRONMENT was Right, triggering off their SELF-LEARNING. So your boys, like any other child, are NEVER too late to Further Advance themselves.

I've seen a student from HK, who was not in the top set at his IS in HK, recently got a few As in his GSCE and now progressing well in his A Level. He REGAINED his Confidence in himself and Interest in learning here in UK, which could be due to him being a Late Developer (i.e. NOT yet showing while in HK), or the way his UK teachers encouraging/motivating him, or the small 1:8 teacher to student class ratio, or ........Whatever the reason, he DOES Change and change for BETTER.

If time permits, I may come back to Edu-kingdom, starting a new thread in 2-3 month time, sharing with others how we as parents can help our child/ren in developing certain Habits, enabling our children to first fully develop and then utilise their potentials, and also making our children understand it is their DUTY to learn from every incident.

To me, every child is GIFTED in some ways - it is just a question of how we help our child/ren to find their talents.

Bye for now, every one.

Cheers
Fate
Together We Become Better
www.myboysmyboss.blogspot.com
www.fatesecrets.blogspot.com

作者: Fate 時間: 12-2-1 18:07

回復 Fate 的帖子

Hi Annie40,

I'm glad that you've found something useful.

I'm sure you're to help your child/ren to understand,

'To Succeed, one has to have the Right Attitudes & the Right Abilities'
(And in THIS Order)

Cheers
Fate
Doing the Right Things with the Right Persons at the Right Times
www.myboysmyboss.blosgpot.com
www.fatesecrets.blogspot.com

作者: anglo-chinese 時間: 12-2-1 18:46

本帖最後由 anglo-chinese 於 12-2-1 18:49 編輯

hi Guys, I thought I'd share my experience in studying in UK, which definitely helped myself by the decision made by my parents.

I grew up in a middle-class family and went to one of the top Band 1 school. Unfortunately, other than speaking English in a near native accent, I performed very badly in my subjects. And in my HKCEE I even got a single digit mark overall. Because of my characters (who love to talk and ask questions and enjoy helping others etc), I knew I would be better suited in a more International environment. Parents withold the decision to send me to UK until after my F.5, because they were worried I won't speak and write chinese if I go there too young.

I studied A-Level, and got ABCC and went to one of the good universities in London. And now finished my doctorate degree. I became the President in the Students Union as well.

If my parents did not send me abroad, I doubt I can even get to University, not to mention my doctorate degree.

In my case, I was gifted in non-acdemic subjects, and my UK school, despite being very traditional type of boarding school, catered for me.

I feel that many of us are too into the "ranking" of the school, and I hope people will choose a school not because it is No.1, but the school ethos is best suit the child. My brother benefited from choosing an exception school, who were really into searching for a talent from every single students. He eventually went to study in a music college. Again, my brother actually repeated a year in HK secondary school, and was borderline being acception in any school because of his age (2 years older than his peers). Shall the school not discover his talent, there's little chance of him getting anywhere.

作者: annie40 時間: 12-2-3 15:21

回復 anglo-chinese 的帖子

Yes, I would choose the school ethos  suit my child instead of  the 'ranking' of the school too.  I would like to point out that without your parents' highly support and open-minded
****    ****

Hi anglo-chinese,

It's so encouraging to read your sharing.
It helps to reinforce my belief.  Thank you.

I made the same decision by choosing the school ethos suit my child instead of  the 'ranking'.  Until today I feel good at the school.  (of course, I doubt it sometimes, 疑神疑鬼)

However,  I also believe that without your parents'
and UK schools’ enormous support and open-mind, you and your brother’s talent in non-academic subjects and music would possibly never be discovered and appreciated.

Someone says a mind being like a parachute -
it only functions when it’s open.

annie

作者: HKdevil 時間: 12-2-4 15:05

Thanks for your information Fate, it is always so detailed and so informative, i must admit i learn a lot from your reply.

While you strike me as a very determined person, and a firm believer that nothing is impossible if we try. i like that because i am that kind of person too i like to think.

however, i think there are other factors which would affect our decision as well, it is one thing that we want to send our kids to the best school available, it is quite the other whether those schools are suitable to our kids.

my example will be this; i have three kids myself, one with a very obvious talent of singing and naturally she wants to do a music degree in future, now if that the case, OXbridge would not be of much useful for her.

Second daughter wants to be actress, again oxbridge should not be the target for her either. In asmuch as i would like her to go to grammar school, i also seriously doubt about if those schools really suits her.

my experience would be there, find out what their talents are and then find a school which could nurture their talents instead of aiming exclusive for the reputation of the school.

This is my two pennies worth opinion in raiding children, of course I still have so much to learn.

Again let us strike together to become a responsible parent, afterall, best parents make a better world.

God bless us all

作者: Fate 時間: 12-2-4 23:27

本帖最後由 Fate 於 12-2-4 23:32 編輯

Dear Responsible & Resourceful Parents,

I always remind our boys,

'I'm not here to make you become ME II because you're UNIQUE.
And you've to find your OWN ways in Life YOURSELF.
Because this's YOUR Life not mine.
My duty as a Father, amongst other things, is to....
BALANCE you'

As such, I Balance my boys at the Right moments.
For example,
When they're too Confident,
I remind them that X, Y etc. are better than them in some areas;
When they're not Confident,
I remind them that they're  better than A, B etc. in certain aspects.
(Key Point : they've to be BETTER of themselves, progressing every day)

Another moment  when I Balance them.
When they Lose Interest in Music, Art etc.,
I remind them these subjects can stretch their Imagination, improve Concentration;
When they're Too Focus on the above 2,
I remind them to get CORE subjects (e.g Maths, Eng) right FIRST.
(Key Point : Everything is Important but some are MORE important at a particular moment)

Applying the same logic, I am only here to BALANCE your views.
When you think certain things are not so important,
I'm here to remind you, 'Well, have you thought of.....'
When you think other things are very important,
I'm here to remind you, 'Yes, but what about......'
(Key Point : 'Do we just want to hear what we WANT to hear & NOT the FACTS?)

The Questions you may have in mind/have been asking others regrading overseas education are :

- Where do I find the Relevant Information about schools?
- How do I compare schools?
- Which school I should pick when there are several offers?
- When is the best Age for a child to study overseas?
- Which Country is the best for my child?
- Which Year level is the best for my child?
- What Subjects are best for my child?
- How do I conclude a particular school suits my child?
- What are the study options available for my child?
- How do I ensure my child settles smoothly?
- How do I know my child is learning/progressing properly?
- What is the most important factor in a child's learning?
- Why there are so many different Tables?
- Are Leagues Tables Relevant?
- Is Ranking of a school important?
- How to Read BEYOND the Tables?
- Do schools with many Chinese students mean something?
- How do we as parents support our child?
- What if my child rejects the idea of overseas studying?
- How do we prepare our child for the overseas education?
- Should the child get actively involved - it's their Education?
- Is studying in a ......
- What is...............
- Why.......

And Ultimately, 'What Education is all about?'

Again, I'm NOT here to give you the PERFECT answer.
Nor do I pretend I know EVERY answer.
Nor to give you the answer that you are looking for.
But rather, I'm here to help you finding the answers YOURSELF.
Because it is YOUR Child - You should know YOUR UNIQUE child better than I do.

Remember Academic Achievements is only 1 of 16 What I've called  MUST HAVE.
Which are to ensure our child to get the Ultimate Prize in Life : TRUE Happiness.

After finalising my 33-night stay in HK in the coming UK Summer holiday next Tue,
I'm to concentrate finishing my final draft of my first book.
Then I'm most likely to start a new thread, hopefully, in May.
Trying to help some parents to REFOCUS.

Meanwhile, you may wish to visit the following sites,
http://www.cre.org.uk/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/

Last but not last,
I'd like to share with you all my recent E mail to my Global HK friends,
And here I'm now, wishing you all a Happy Dragon Year.

2012/1/24

龍年龍的傳人表真心, 一顆永恆不變香港心,

各位來自香港同身處香港的朋友，

想不到，
一條北京大儍狗，
大罵港人全是狗：
港人怒呼巳受夠，
誓要討此孔家狗。

想不到，
聽此北大狗獸的一番廢話，
令我記起老人的智慧佳話：

'朋友要久不久，
碰碰頭聚聚舊；
不然時間一久，
感情淡無得救。'

終想到，
新的一年，新的開始。
先祝大家：'小氣'。
做事要按步就班，由'小' 做起；
做人要面對困境，不要 '氣' 餒。

再祝大家：'長氣'。
香港靚女/媽：婀娜多姿、青春 '長' 駐；
香港猛男/爸：足智多謀、'氣' 定神閒。

更祝大家：'谷氣'。
精叻子女，潛能漸露毋須 '谷' ；
精靈BB  ，健康快樂滿朝 '氣' 。

總之，大家一家人，
老老少少，一團和氣：
上上下下，一齊打氣。

總之，大家香港人，
不要勞氣、激氣；
不用鬥氣、負氣。
最重要爭番啖氣！

夠晒長氣、有D熱氣、無小腸氣
不是作大教授、不是賴布衣第N代後人
賴睡衣
www.fatesecrets.blogspot.com
www.myboysmyboss.blogspot.com
(Have to go for our weekly family swimming)

作者: HKdevil 時間: 12-2-4 23:54

回復 anglo-chinese 的帖子

Thanks for your sharing, I like it very much.

作者: Fate 時間: 12-2-5 07:13

本帖最後由 Fate 於 12-2-5 07:16 編輯

Dear Attention to Details Parents,

Ops, just realised that the I'd NOT included the 1st para. to my last comment.
(Which was posted on HK TIME 12-2-4 23:32)

The 1st para. that should have been included was :

'It's embarrassed that me keep coming back after saying 'It's my LAST comment'.
But I've to come back again to offer my sincere apology to parents sending me pm.
Although I've replied a few, it's impossible for me to reply all due to time constraint.
Perhaps I could point some of you to the right direction here by the following sharing.'

(Then continue with the last comment posted on (HK TIME) 12-2-4 23:32)

I always remind our boys,
'I'm not here.....

Cheers
Getting Old Fate
www.myboysmyboss.blogspot.com
www.fatesecrets.blogspot.com

作者: tweetybird 時間: 12-2-7 11:57

My daughter was born in Hong Kong but she has the citzenchip as parents were born in UK.

In our case, which year would be the best for us to send her off please? What would be the school fee approximately?

Thanks very much

作者: anglo-chinese 時間: 12-2-7 16:24

本帖最後由 anglo-chinese 於 12-2-7 16:25 編輯

I would recommend to send her for Year 9 (which is 13 years old). There are 2 reasons:
1) most schools accept admission at Year 9

2)If you want to send her at Year 12 (after F.5), she only has 2 years in UK, and will be classified as overseas students for university fees purpose. The fees difference is £9000 vs £13500
£9000 is payable after she starts work above a certain salary level, but £13500 is to pay up front

for fees, you can choose a state school and again send her in 2 ways:

1) choose a state boarding school. the boarding fees is roughl £2500-£3000 per term compare to £8000 at least in private school http://www.sbsa.org.uk/find_school.php you can use this site to find the state boarding school

2) choose a normal state day school and live with a host family. I know a guardian company charge £800 per month for accommodation and food.

作者: CPU1995 時間: 12-2-7 23:30

本帖最後由 CPU1995 於 12-2-8 07:35 編輯

Hi Fate,

May I know your comment on Reading School? How do you compare this state boarding school with other state boarding schools?

Also, what's the difference between grammar school and non-grammar school? Is Reading School a grammar school?

Thx!

作者: Fate 時間: 12-2-8 08:14

Dear Vulnerable Parents,

WHY

Why does Fate keep coming back?

I find it funny that I've to keep coming back.
You, however, may not find it funny once you've learnt of my reason in coming back.

I started reading this thread because I knew Ruby1219 from my last thread, and would like to find out what kind of help she might need this time.

I started worrying as it was obvious to me, as an experienced police offer, that someone MAY try to take advantage of some desperate parents.

This's why I keep coming back, giving essential information, providing INDEPENDENT links for your OWN research, hinting to you all NOT to assume everything everyone said here as COMPLETE FACTS - because there're always someone has a CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

WHAT

What is happening?

Someone has been presenting an INCORRECT information, which at best is MISLEADING, but at worst, could be MISLEADING with Intent.

I am to share with you all about some FACTS.

First, NOT every UK university offers Home Fee to HK students with UK passports living in UK for 3 years before starting University.

Back in early 80s, when trying to get a university allowing me to pay Home Fee after me living in UK for 3 years previously, I worked very hard to find some universities offering this.  30 years on, now in 21012, due to a BIG cut in government funding, there are now even LESS universities offering this.

Second, even some (BUT NOT ALL) universities still having the Home Fee 3 Year Qualifying Policy, there is NO Guarantee this policy will NOTchange when your child starts their University, especially when at a time, every university need to find more money ITSELF due to BIG cut in government funding. government . In fact, there have been many changes in the education policy in UK for the last 2 years.

(That was why I gave you lot 3 newspaper education sites and the Campaign for Real Education site)

For example, do you know that after some universities raising its fee to £9,000, there are already some of them consider cutting the fee  back to around £7,000?

My experience in the 80s has shown that paying an Overseas Fee has an advantage - I was NOT allowed to progress to the 2nd year due to the facts that I got very poor result in my 1st year AND I was paying Home Fee. Those paying Overseas Fee (i.e. 3 times more at the time) were ALL allowed to progress to the 2nd year, even though their results were as bad as mine!

This means that these days, when at a time all universities are short of cash, Top universities have been accused of Favouring Overseas Students by reducings places for Home Fee Students as the former paying MORE!

WHO

Who is going to benefit MOST by presenting this INCORRECT information (i.e. 3 Year Home Fee Policy)?

Is it the parents desperate trying to send their child to UK?
Or the innocent child to be sent to UK?
Or someone providing a Guardian Service in UK?
(The sooner you send the child, the sooner this person getting paid for the Guardian or Referring Service?)

HOW

How do you make a decision on what age your child should go overseas?

You have to take many factors into consideration.
But at this very moment, I have to URGE YOU NOT TO SEND YOU CHILD SOONER JUST BECAUSE OF THIS ' 3 YEAR  HOME FEE POLICY'.
The only thing that is sure is the one keep urging parents to send their child sooner will get PAID as a GUARDIAN or Referring Agent sooner.

What a responsible parent would do now is to draft a standard E Mail, stating that your child is to apply a degree course in say, Autumn 2015 and your child has a UK passport and the family just relocated back to UK a month ago (i.e. 3 years and 7 months before starting the Uni), then send the standard E mail to about as many UK universities as you want, and see if they would offer your child the 'Home Fee' status.

Also, a responsible parent would check the person offering Guardianship Service to provide TWO references (i.e. Her previous HAPPY Clients), her Enhanced POLICE CRB Check......... and ideally, better off checking independent REPUTABLE organisations rather than dealing with INDIVIDUAL.
See if this site helps,

http://www.aegisuk.net/

Last but not least, how we behave as a parent would effect our child tremendously - children learn mostly from what their parents DO in addition to what parents Say.  So we as parents have to learn from every incident, showing our children we apply the Critical Thinking Skill, asking 'What, Why, Who, How....' etc. Logic questions to then make a Sensible and Practical Decision.

(CPU 1995, sorry, I've to come back to you some other time - it's 0015 hrs here in UK!)

Cheers
Fate
Never Routinely, Completely, 100% Trust Anyone
www.myboysmyboss.blogspot.com
www.fatesecrets.blogspot.com

作者: tweetybird 時間: 12-2-8 08:37

回復 anglo-chinese 的帖子

Thanks for your valuable information.

In fact, we have a family there in Glasgow and London, and thinking of sending her back to Glasgow for the best. In this case, I do not think a host family will be needed.

She is now with RCHK and a Year 5 student, and RCHK is IB programmed school. I am wondering what choices do we have in terms of this background?

Thanks very much once again.

作者: tweetybird 時間: 12-2-8 10:32

Hello Fate

My daugther was born in Hong Kong with dual citizenships (Hong Kong and UK as her father was born in UK) and now is a Year 5 student in a IB school.

May I have your view please?
1) Should I send her back when she was 13 (Year 9) according to what others suggested in order to qualify for the home fee?

2) As IB is pretty new and not sure what Uni she can apply for, any thoughts?

Thanks very much!!

作者: anglo-chinese 時間: 12-2-8 17:20

本帖最後由 anglo-chinese 於 12-2-8 17:23 編輯

回復 tweetybird 的帖子

halo

there are a number of schools that are doing IB nowadays in UK, there is absolutely no problem finding an IB school in UK so don't worry

here's a link to show what schools offer IB

http://www.best-schools.co.uk/league-tables/ib-schools.aspx

however if you are sending her back to Glasgow you need to be aware the education system in Glasgow (Scotland) is different to the rest of the country unless they follow A-level or IB, but I believe you should be able to find an IB school in scotland area.

One of my students went to Fettes College (Edinburgh) which run with an IB programme, their alumni includes Tony Blair.

For South East England (around 1 hr to London), i have students went to Charterhouse and King Edward's School Witley for IB and another for the IB programme in Cheltenham Ladies College

作者: Fate 時間: 12-2-8 19:25

本帖最後由 Fate 於 12-2-8 19:28 編輯

Dear Alert Parents,

I trust most of you now know the MAIN reason that I keep coming back. (As stated in my last comment 33#)
Which is : To WARN you all NOT to be MISLED by someone trying to sell you of her Guardian/Referring Service.

I have done my DUTY as a RESPONSIBLE Edu-Kingdom member, and would like to make my LAST Two replies (to CPU 1995 & tweetybird), which some of them may also find useful.

CPU 1995

1) The following article may be of interest to you, as the Reading School may have a Fundamental Change.
(Do read the READERS' Comments at the bottom)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1389623/New-11-plus-row-Tories-PM-urged-fight-grammar-schools.html

2) Also, the following sharing from a UK mum, made about  3 weeks ago may also be of interest to you,

'Our local grammar Kendrick is planning to change its current open policy to one based on catchment. Similar super-selectives such as Henrietta Barnett or the Tiffins or Queen Elizabeth Barnet have no such plans, despite the fact that many local students surely do not gain entry. Reading Boys grammar  has a catchment area, but accepts boarders out of catchment. Kendrick has no boarders so its entry outcomes will be affected significantly.

Reading is educationally more like Barnet than Bucks, Essex or Kent. So the proposed change will lower standards across the board within Reading, with Kendrick most affected.

Interestingly the change is only for 11+ and not 16+. This presumably because a fair few of the current girls would have to look elsewhere at 16+. In fact, academically selective options at 16+ are thicker on the ground than at 11+, so it would be less of an issue to introduce the catchment area at 16+ rather than at 11+. Better for local students too. So why a catchment selective at 11+ and super selective at 16+?

Apart from the obvious political pressure put on it by our MP who has his eye on local voters, I'm struggling to see why the change at 11+ rather than at 16+. Our venerable MP had initially pointed out that there is actually no shortage of places, but has since demonstrated that facts don't matter for him either. Putting aside the jungle mentality that passes over most of us when it comes to our DCs, is the Reading seat more shaky, is Reading more small-minded than Kingston or Barnet, is the Kendrick Governing Body weaker intellectually, or something else? There's been a change of Head at Kendrick, is this a sign of things to come, and of more erosion of the sort of school it will be?

This isn't about selection, more why copy Reading Boys when there's no boarding option at Kendrick, and why start with 11+ when 16+ would be far more sensible, possibly with a two year delay to allow year 9/10s to plan ahead. Most odd.

Are there similar changes planned elsewhere? Or already occurred?'

3) Regarding how to compare schools - could you wait until around May?
(I'm too busy at the moment e.g.finalising accommodation arrangement for my coming Jul/Aug 34-day HK trip with my family)

tweetybird

Below please find my quick answers to your  2 questions - contain Valuable information from INDEPENDENT & TRUSTWORTHY Sources.

1) The 3 Year Home Fee Qualifying Policy

   Please refer to my last comment at 33#, under WHAT, explaining in details' NOT every...& NO Guarantee....

   DO NOT LET ANYONE MISLEADING YOU ON THIS - ESPECIALLY FROM SOME HAVING A CONFLICT OF
   INTEREST (i.e. Offering Guardian/Referring Service)

   Scotland is getting more complicated as the Political Landscape is changing dramatically and will continue to
   be so, as  it is fighting for its Independence/More Autonomy

   http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2085143/Scottish-independence-Alex-Salmond-break-UK-matter-us.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2092925/Scottish-independence-debate-Is-end-Britain.html

   This will have a Tremendous Effect on how much you're to pay for your girl's university fee in the future.
   The fee is confusing enough at present and could be even more so in the future if Britain is to break up.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2034143/36-000-degree-Edinburgh-University--youre-English.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2030676/Aberdeen-Scottish-university-raise-fees-9-000.html

2) Regarding IB acceptance by UK universities, the following articles may interest you (Do remember to read the Readers' Comments at the bottom)

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2030670/The-International-Baccalaureate-backlash-Scores-private-school-pupils-ditched-A-levels-fail-university.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/9027992/Top-school-reintroduces-A-levels-after-exam-overhaul.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/secondaryeducation/8881037/How-to-choose-between-A-levels-and-IB.html

CPU 1995, tweetybird and ALL other parents, please be PATIENT, I'm to start a new thread possibly in May, trying to help you lot to find the full answers YOURSELF.

Amongst other things, I'll give you all a UK website where parents discussing education issues like Edu-Kingdom, enabling you all  to ask questions, share views, discuss concerns etc. DIRECTLY with UK Mums - to AVOID you being MISLED by someone trying to get business from you here in Edu-Kingdom.

Sorry, Ruby, I feel GUILTY of taking so much space of your thread, and parents please wait for another 2-3 months for my thread.

For the time being, do have another great weekend with your family - for whom we have come to this world.

Best wishes
Fate
ALL Answers are WITHIN Us
www.myboysmyboss.blogspot.com
www.fatesecrets.blogspot.com

作者: Fate 時間: 12-2-9 07:48

Dear All Smart Parents,

TIME

At last, the Time has come.
Although longer than I expected, 'someone' finally sent me a PM.
Attacking me for accusing her MISLEADING others.

It's about Time that I settle this Once & For All.
Because I believe GOOD should NOT be Teased by BAD.
I therefore have NO choice but to come back again.

I now respond OPENLY to the 'someone' sending me a PM,
The member named, 'anglo-chinese'.
The Following is addressed to 'anglo-chinese'

Dear Dr anglo-chinese,

Although you liked to address fellow parents with 'halo' (in 2#) and 'Hi Guys' (in 24#),
I was taught the Old Way & therefore would like to use the Old Way in the opening.
I trust you do not mind me beginning with 'Dear', then Dr.
(Sorry, what subject did you say you got a PHD in? Please refresh us)

TRUSTWORTHY

May I start with your following comment first.

點評

anglo-chinese Do you really trust Daily Mail? A newspaper who wants all foreign students and immigration out of UK? 發表於昨天 20:20

To many people, your comment could be a Provocative Remark.
But I think differently as I do appreciate people saying different opinions.
I'm sure you're more than happy to share your answers to the following questions with us,

1) Would you be kind enough to enlighten us on WHICH WORD, SENTENCE OR PARAGRAPH of the 6 Daily Mail reports I quoted has contained, what you claimed, 'wants all foreign students and immigration out of UK'?

2) Ops.... If your claim is NOT based on any of the above 6 articles, but rather on OTHER Articles of Daily Mail,  may I remind you that in the Highest Court in UK, which upholds Justice & Fairness, will sentence a defendant BASED ONLY on the offence currently in court & the defendant's PREVIOUS criminal records will NOT be allowed to be disclosed.

Do you agree that you have made yourself appearing to be rather BIASED and UNCONVINCING, as your accusation against Daily Mail CANNOT be found in ANY of the above articles?.

3) Everything is Relative. Like I may not like my tiger wife that much, but I like my bear mother-in-law less. So, adopting the same logic, although I do NOT trust Daily Mail that much,  I am sorry to say that I find the Daily Mail is MORE Trustworthy than YOU. Do you think I have got the logic wrong?

Because you've a conflict of interest - you have started a thread, ' 有人需要英國監護人嗎？' ; continue to recommend parents to send child at Yr 9 MAINLY for the Home Fee status (in 2#, 31#) ; and you stated it YOURSELF in 31# , '2) choose a normal state day school and live with a host family.
I know a guardian company charge £800 per month for accommodation and food.'

(BTW, I am at lost when seeing your ' A newspaper WHO wants' - has the grammar been changed? Do we start using WHO to describe a newspaper?)

THREAT

May I point out that your PM could, to many people, be seen as a Threat because you've used the title,  'stop being nasty ok?',  your 1st  sentence began with, 'please stop attack me on my post', and your last sentence was,

'I feel sorry for your sons to have a pushy parents like you'  - which to many is TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE, A NASTY CURSE from someone REALLY LOW.

But to me, I just get used to deal NASTY People CALMLY (Sorry to be different from you).

I trust you do NOT mind sharing with us of your answers to the following questions,

4) Why do you think I was talking about YOU, when I have NEVER mentioned any name? (Is it because you felt you'd done something wrong YOURSELF?)

5) Why do you think I was being 'nasty', I was 'Attacking' you ? (All I did was to REMIND Desperate parents to be careful about someone trying to take advantage of them by providing MISLEADING information, the 3-Year Home Fee Qualifying Policy)

6) Why did you say, 'stop attack MY post'? (I thought it's Ruby1219's post. Was it because that you're SO INTO it, you WRONGLY thought the post was yours? And you WRONGLY thought how dare I was to remind others in YOUR post?

7) Why did you bring my boys into this? (Have you NOT learnt the Western Culture, which NEVER bring others like parents, children, spouse etc. into an argument?)

TRACK

In YOUR post, yes this one is yours,  ' 有人需要英國監護人嗎？' , you've stated that you've over 7 years experience of being a guardian, so for the sake of helping those desperate HK parents (i.e. your POTENTIAL Customers) and helping you to PROMOTE your business, I trust you are eager to share with us of your INSIGHTS on Guardian Services,

8) What LEGAL requirements that a guardian MUST meet? (e.g. license from statutory regulator/professional body, public liability insurance, minimum number of fire alarm/toilet/shower room in a house, minimum room size for students etc.)

9) Does the guardian have to be confirmed by the 2 UK credit rating agencies of NEVER having a Default? (www.experian.co.uk, www.equifax.co.uk) (Conforming a guardian is financially TRUSTWORTHY)

10) Does the guardian have to be cleared by the police and be given a CRB Enhanced Disclosure as children and the young are involved? (Confirming a guardian is morally TRUSTWORTHY)

11) Does a guardian have to be cleared by the NHS and be given a Health Certificate? (Confirming a guardian is MENTALLY stable AND has NO infectious disease)

12) Does a guardian have to be cleared by the St Johns and be given a First Aid certificate? (Confirming a guardian can perform life saving CPR before the arrival of an ambulance)

13) Does a guardian's home has to installed with a particular type of Burglar alarm? (Confirming help will come sooner)

14) Do you think it is REASONABLE to ask a guardian to provide AT LEAST two References of HAPPY customers? (Confirming a guardian is Consistently Reliable in providing a GOOD service)

15) Any other ESSENTIAL information that a parent should ask? (e.g. where a guardian lives - as some areas have more crimes than others, www.police.uk)

I trust you agree with me that given that there are 5,000 headteachers are Incompetent,http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/9062107/5000-head-teachers-lack-leadership-says-Ofsted-chief.html, and 1,000 serving police have criminal records, http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8987795/Nearly-1000-serving-police-officers-and-PCSOs-have-a-criminal-record.html, you can feel why parents need to be VERY CAUTIOUS about TRUSTING someone to look after their innocent child, because every guardian will NEVER say they are a bad one themselves, will they?

You must have a good track record, so you must be 'over the moon' now for being given the opportunity to show what you REALLY ARE, and why parents should TRUST you and NOT other guardians giving a Lower price or just because they live in London, by you answering ALL the questions.

TRUTH

You've kept urging parents to send their child SOONER mainly because of this '3 Year Home Fee' status.

Given that you've been so keen in promoting this status ,and you've been in the business for 7 years with so many university students staying with you before (so you claimed), yo must have some TRUTH (i.e. FACTS).

I trust that you are so happy now to be given the opportunity to show us the TRUTH,  HOW PREPARED and HOW CONSIDERING YOU ARE by answering the following question,

15) DO YOU MIND GIVING US THE LIST OF ALL UNIVERSITIES THAT GIVE HOME FEE TO THOSE UK PASSPORT HOLDERS LIVING IN UK 3 YEARS PRIOR TO START THEIR UNIVERSITY COURSE? (about 116 of them, http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/league-tables/rankings)

TRAGEDY

May I remind you that to many people, your NASTY COMMENT of,
'I feel sorry for your sons to have a pushy parents like you'

will make them Very Angry.

But I just FEEL SO SORRY for you.

Because for you to have acted SO LOW could only mean that you probably had been a subject of BEING Pushed YOURSELF (That's may be why you NATURALLY thought others are Victimised like you were before), or you have been UNHAPPY YOURSELF as you've NO LUCK in finding a DECENT, PROPER, WELL PAID job over many many years, might have been forced to carry on studying and might now end up with heavy student loan debt, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/money/news/article-2084992/Jobs-bottleneck-graduates-struggling-work-creates-backlog.html (Is this why you've to take on 4 students - a FULL time job at home?)

I trust you're to share with those hard working parents, who MAY Become your customers, spending a fortune in sending their child overseas, about your Job Experience, helping them to visualise what the future will be for their child,

16) Do you mind sharing with us your JOB EXPERIENCE after finishing your degree?

17) How much MORE you have earned after finishing your PHD when compared with you having a degree only?

DEAR ALL  SMART PARENTS AGAIN,

I've now completed my MISSION in this post with Better than expected results.

Because firstly, anglo-chinese is to answer the questions some of you have asked me through pm.  The most important answers you now to look for are the ones Regarding the guardian and the LIST. But to me personally, every singe one of the above 17 questions is important.

Secondly, you all now have a better understanding of vital importance of the Integrity of a guardian - NOT how much a guardian charge, NOT how much experience a guardian has, NOT how convenient a guardian's home is etc. but HOW IMPORTANT THE MORALITY  and MENTALITY of a guardian count.

Thirdly, I've shown you how (or how NOT) to Present Ideas Clearly & Logically, how to Back points with Evidences, how to Control the Flow, how to Exceed expectation... ..... , which does NOT require a PHD  but ONLY PRACTISE - if I can do it, so can you and your child.

It's been a great pleasure to share with you all and I'm to have my LAST sharing with you an E Mail I'd sent, which is attached below - how I try to build a network for our boys by sending an Open Invitation to All school parents, inviting them to our home for a tea.

See you lot again in MAY.

Best wishes
Fate
One can Fool everyone at some times,
One can Fool someone at all times,
But noone can Fool ALL at All times.
www.fatersecrets.blogspot.com
www.myboysmyboss.blogspot.com

Dear Fellow Parents

OPEN INVITATION

We are very Grateful,
To see our son progressing well and is Cheerful.
Thanks to CGS's Staff doing their job so Wonderful!

We then have a Thought.
If CGS's Parents would too enjoy Mutual Support,
By regularly coming together for a relaxing talk?

We are now Inviting,
You if free to drop by our home for a tea & a Sharing,
0915-1115 hrs, Every Term TimeThursday Morning,

We wish there would be a Happy Ending.
For us, a Pleasure in Asking.
For you, NO Pressure in Coming.

Names provided
(Parents of X in 8X)
Address provided
(3-minute walk from CGS)
Home & Mobile Nos. provided
Emails provided

作者: annie40 時間: 12-2-9 13:11

回復 Fate 的帖子

真心喜欢Fate 和 Anglo-chinese 的分享! 我是牆头草, 觉得合用合听就学吓, 太复杂的我看不明白, 也学不来. (天生有防火牆), 非常低层次的. 你们皆是有心有力之人, 请继续坦白分享.

作者: HKdevil 時間: 12-2-9 15:47

I agreed with Annie40, well said. useful information are all good information, afterall, we call are independant parents, thus can exercise our own judgement. Besides, they are all for references only.

There is no need to attack anyone here, conflict of interest might not necessarily be a bad thing, as long as they make it known. For one thing, it might mean that they are in the profession and indeed know the rules.

Let us all set a good example for our children and to love one another, not to attack one another.

God bless us all.

作者: HKdevil 時間: 12-2-9 15:49

本帖最後由 HKdevil 於 12-2-9 15:50 編輯

To answer one of the parents question about Reading school, yes it is an excellent school with the ranking of 19th last year, while Colchester Royal Grammar ranked 11th.

But of course, like any other good school, it is very difficult to get in. I am planning to send my son there, but my lovely little boy said he wants to go a co-ed school where he could study with girls and boys!

作者: CPU1995 時間: 12-2-9 16:41

Hi Fate

Many thx for yr useful and valuable info.

As I am not familiar with the Eng edu system，would u briefly describe what is a grammar school and why the grammar schools drop from 800 to below 160?

For Reading, what's the updated inf on scrapping the 11+? Or else are there any planned changes for the remaining 31 state boarding schools?

It's quite disappointing to use catchment area as selection criteria.

作者: Tommy 時間: 12-2-19 00:06

Hope Ruby1219 and other parents don’t mind I put another two questions in here to gather more information.

1. For a Form 3 student, if he joins Year 10 in a UK school in the middle of the school year, is it very tough for him to catch up the missing curricular and coursework?  Is it another Mission Impossible?  How to tackle this challenge?

2. Apart from A Level results, are the GCSE results another major selection criteria for university admission?  In case a student only gets mediocre grades in GCSE but later on he strives to achieve very good grades in A Level, how much does the mediocre GCSE results affect his university choices?

Many thanks for your advice.

Tommy

作者: annie40 時間: 12-2-23 15:04

回復 Tommy 的帖子

Tommy,

希望你唔介意我呢个路人丙的common sense意见 (凭空想法, 无个人经验)

For a Form 3 student, if he joins Year 10 in a UK school in the middle of the school year, is it very tough for him to catch up the missing curricular and coursework?  Is it another Mission Impossible?  How to tackle this challenge.
******

一间有责任感的UK boarding school ,如果在year 10 年中, 收录孩子入读, 应该有各方面的额外教学, 扶助孩子追上原来的进度和课程.  学校有义务解决这问题的.  家长也有權利理解教学质量.  如果无把握帮孩子追回已缺席的课程, 有良心的学院应会明确地谢绝申请. 好像一般香港的IS, 绝对不收Year 11 and Year 13  的新生.  除非是很特殊情况

GCSE 课程不算艰深, 若孩子能收拾心情,而学校又有教学资源, 我想问题不大!

近日几个友人担心香港的IS 教学过于松散, 正计划让孩子往英国的boarding school, 无internet, 无电视, 从早到晚有编排, 边科唔够好, 有老师grooming 吓 (老师又是住在学校, 好方便!). 成绩唔会差!

2. Apart from A Level results, are the GCSE results another major selection criteria for university admission?  In case a student only gets mediocre grades in GCSE but later on he strives to achieve very good grades in A Level, how much does the mediocre GCSE results affect his university choices?
****    *****

GCSE 考得好, 好似预早入大学申请书时有少许'着数', 例如觉得个学生几好, 回复如个GCE有 2A + 2B, 就收录! GCE 放榜时, 成绩不差已有着落. 不用四周找大学. 当然是突然阿仔'平地一声雷', GCE 成绩奇佳, 甘就唔使等, 马上去Oxbridge 入申请书吧!

其实GCSE 或IGCSE 是预习试, 最终还是看GCE A level 或 IB 分呢!

如果我以上的common concept 有错, 唔该话我知!  谢谢!

annie

作者: Tommy 時間: 12-2-24 07:17

Annie,
妳絕對唔係路人丙喇！大家在網上認識很多年了。正如Fate 兄所說："生命裡有著很多exception。 "過去幾星期，事情有意想不到的發展，快到我只能用common sense 和直覺作决定。

学校O K 的，在BK 有很好的評價，机票已訂了，好快就要飛到英國interview ,如—切顺利，阿仔的生命將有很大的变化。又是—條不—样不平凡的路，我的直覺告訴我，這個大轉變对他是好，希望今次设有錯。現在出差，遲些再傾。

Tommy

作者: annie40 時間: 12-2-24 14:07

Tommy,

其实香港的IS 课程算是松散, 如果不是东方人父母及到实一实, D成绩边有得同英国的私立一线学校挥, (无数据, 纯个人观察, 如果唔同意唔紧要, 就当我讲错)

在港的高薪外籍朋友, 系甘把孩子送回英国的boarding school, 爸妈留港揾食, 孩子放假即回港共聚天倫, 初时他们怕被标签为';紧张父母',唔多想提洋孩子出洋的真实原因, 后来才说女儿的boarding school, 六成以上孩子入oxbridge. 哗! 你话几有吸引力, 两年前, 小女跟她女儿成绩相若,, 我都有想过申请. 后来阿女和外子都无兴趣, 我又无勇气接受最坏结果(刚好阿女的资质系余下的三成, 入唔到oxbridge), 自己不就是'罗呢辛苦'吗?

令郎的母语是英文+广东话, 早已熟悉英式教育, 相信很快便能如鱼得水, 我见的经验总是非常正面的. 几乎全部读书好似D新年挥春甘:学业猛进!:

Have a good trip!

annie

作者: annie40 時間: 12-2-24 14:45

回復 annie40 的帖子

令郎的母语是英文+广东话, 早已熟悉英式教育, 相信很快便能如鱼得水,
***** ****
Tommy,

Perhaps I have Alzheimer that I've forgotten that your son studies at local school. Please forgive me.

annie

作者: Tommy 時間: 12-3-10 00:51

回復 annie40 的帖子

Annie,

多謝您的鼓勵，明天一早便坐飛機去英國了，剛剛開始執行李。除了幾件衣服之外，也帶了我們很多盼望，又擔心孩子能否追趕上，始終他的學術基礎唔係好紮實。不過無得驚，人地收先算，呢條路由我和太太安排，但最後是他自己決定。決定了就無得驚，No U turn.

Tommy

作者: annie40 時間: 12-3-12 12:39

Tommy,

學術基礎唔係好紮實的孩子,进入严格纪律的英国borading school后, 大部分都能追上和喜欢读书的. 重有得玩, 加紧找合适学校吧, 有好土壤和新鲜空气(虽然好贵), 幼苗便会自力更生地成长!

你是先头部队, 日后跟我们分享出洋父亲日记, 给大家指点和鼓励呢!

作者: annie40 時間: 12-3-12 15:37

回復 annie40 的帖子

真戥你开心! 没什么欢乐可比镁看着孩子成长上的快乐和进步. 走出去才知道原来天空可以不一样!

有日你个仔拿'Nobel Prize', 记得通知声! (我的另一种hobby 系发梦, 最近想幻想用35分钟跑完10K, 如果我都得, 无物无可能吧!)

Enjoy your trip!

作者: Fate 時間: 12-5-1 05:01

Dear Planning to send their children to UK Parents,

As promised in this thread back on 9 Feb, I'm to start a new thread, helping you to find the answers yourself by you having DIRECT contacts with UK parents, seeking their advice/opinions/experience about UK Schools/Subjects.

It's 2200 hrs here in UK, so I'm to start the new thread tomorrow morning (UK Time) after driving our younger boy to his primary. The title of the new thread should be something along the line of 'UK Direct' , 'HK Parents Connect UK Parents', 'How to Mentally & Academically for an UK Education?'....(Not quite decided yet)

Cheers
Fate
Do 1 Thing at A Time
www.myboysmyboss.blogspot.co.uk
www.fatesecrets.blogspot.co.uk

作者: Fate 時間: 12-5-1 16:22 標題: UK Education - When East Meets West

本帖最後由 Fate 於 12-5-1 16:27 編輯

Dear Planning Ahead Parents,

On 9 Feb, I made a promise in the following thread,
http://www.edu-kingdom.com/forum.php?mod=viewthread&tid=2362194&extra=page%3D1&page=1
So I now keep my promise by starting this thread.

While looking at 'UK Education' option,
While doing the Research & Preparation,
You must have come across with some questions.

I now give you the link of Connection,
Allowing you to seek Clarifications,
Directly from the equally helpful UK parents.

Remember,
To also visit the following sites later,
To help you understanding UK Education better.

http://www.sbsa.org.uk/
(State Schools offers Boarding)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-11950098
(GCSE/AS/A Level)

http://www.ngsa.org.uk/faqs.php
(Grammar Schools)

http://www.cre.org.uk/
(Campaign for Real Education)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/

http://www.aegisuk.net/code_of_practice.asp
(A snapshot of what Guardianship Service could be like)

Remember,
Always some in every country are 'Anti-foreigners',
So choose your words better when asking others.

The link : http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/secondary
Over 100 pages of threads already.
Read first or start a new thread if you're ready.

Parents, please feel free to discuss amongst yourself.
As I'm busy with the work on my shelf.
May sometimes return to help you to help yourself.

Good Luck to your Research.
Good Luck to your Child's Future.
Goodbye from my departure.

莫忘記：
海上無亂石, 那有好浪花;
人生無曲折, 那有好前途。
共勉之。

Feeling Good Fate
www.fatesecrets.blogspot.co.uk
www.myboysmyboss.blogspot.co.uk

歡迎光臨教育王國 (/)