表2 : school visit check list |
possibly being asked to pay deposit (1 term fee, not refundable) by December when the school makes an offer. it is very common and necessary to pay a school visit before making a decision. Pls ask to arrange a school visit (either directly with the school or via agent), it helps student to settling in well when return in Aug/Sept. Just indicate you will make payment upon return to HK (by that time you should have finished all visits and have a conclusion). Strongly recommend you to make this trip with your child.
我一月用咗一個星期去睇幾間學校,好快已經做到決定。基本上英國嘅學校校舍都係大嘅,你去到要睇嘅係學校投放幾多資源係學生身上學生身上、宿舍,房間大小等等,而最重要嘅就係學生態度。睇多幾間你就會識得分辨邊一間適合!如果去讀 year 9,即係話會喺嗰邊讀五年。花多少少錢同時間,以確保孩子進入理想校園! |
Avoid school exeat weekend or holiday, possibly Jan 24-26, 2020 Fri, Sat & Sun is an exeat holiday for some schools. |
check ATM / bank / supermarket / restaurant choices around the schools. stay overnight around the school if it is your highest priority. |
A good school tour generally includes
1. 1 hour walking tour to various teaching buildings and facilities and see students in class or break time.
2. 1 hour with housemaster.
3. 30 mins with admission team.
There was a school that we met 1 admission staff only but no others. Most students didn’t show a positive attitude in general, even it was a lesson break and lunch time at the dining hall. The boarding rooms are small and dark though the school has a huge space. |
Students will be asked why choose this school, what your favourite subjects are, also sports & other interest. Just casual chats. |
Guardians: need to meet before or after school (refer to Guardian checklist) |
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Please observe carefully |
1. teachers / students relationship |
2. students' attitude. Do they greet teachers / housemaster / vistors? Esp in boarding house. Also, pay attention to 6th form students behavour cos they project your child's future. |
3. if your own child is responsive with the teacher, then he/she is ready and has less worry. |
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school tour with teacher or student - questions you may ask / observe by yourself |
teaching buildings / rooms
We were able to speak to an A-level student in an art room in one of the schools. |
use window or mac or both / iPad for homework |
library |
labs |
sports ground & gyms |
number of overseas students/ chinese / hk |
which mobile network is better |
Academic support
e.g. 1 hour each after lunch and before supper on most of the weekdays. |
teachers/students ratio
e.g. students are being grouped based on capability, lower ratio for students need more attention. Sets are being adjusted from term to term based on their performance. |
音樂要求
e.g optional, no need to commit any instruments |
最好同宿舍的留學生傾計,而且不是學校安排的學生,有機會交換到聯絡電話. 如果是香港留學生,留自己聯絡電話,説明用意,叫家長找你,那就更清楚學校生活。 |
only observe (not ask) uniform: colour of shirts, trousers, dress, socks, sweater & coat, etc |
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boarding house with housemaster - questions you may ask / observe by yourself |
meet one of the housemasters even though the house he/she is in charge of might not be the one you'll be boarding in. You may request to meet the one if you have special interest of the housemaster background, etc. |
to show your around each year group sleeping rooms, changing room, day room, activities throughout the year.
Year 9 8 pax, year 10 4 pax, year 11 2 pax, year 12 1 pax, year 13 1 pax.
Setting varies from schools / houses / forms, each house operates more or less the same. |
house tutor
e.g. each house has a couple of house tutors. A dedicated tutor meets weekly / regularly to keep track of student's progress - can talk anything, not just academic support. |
term break change room? Storage?
yes, change room / bed for each term break (not half term).
There's a luggage fee for storage at school, around £3x/£4x per term. Can make use of old big luggage to store personal things. |
change boarding house each year?
not at my son's school, students stay in the same house for years 9-13. Some other schools arrange houses by year group. |
how to check school timetable
e.g a school app to view school calendar / timetable / hall (homework) informaton, teaching groups / sets, etc |
what's rule for using / keeping mobile.
Any penalties?
e.g. drop off by 9pm and collect the next morning. |
arrangement for students arrive school early after the term break day. E.g. one of the boarding houses opens to accommodate early arrival. Mostly very quiet cos students return after their supper if they are locals. Also no food will be provided throughout the day. Extra pocket money for 1-3 meals that depends on flight arriving time. |
If students allow to use cooking utensils, and what year group.
ask if you have a big concern |
Is there any HK students in the house? Any special house take more overseas students |
ask Matron / observe
1. Name tag format - full name / class / club
2. Name tag to fold and stitch on the short side instead of stitching on 4 sides
3. pillow / bedsheet / blanket - school to provide / can use own ones
問清楚被袋的規格,好太機會唔可以用拉鍊被袋或者ba 鈕被袋,怕整壞學校的 ironing board。我聽講 ikea的被袋合規格同用到英國被.
Each single clothing requires to have a name tag including underpants! Check with matron to see exact format. You will be informed in the briefing pack in May anyway. |
Desk light - school to provide |
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admission officer - questions you may ask / observe by yourself |
guardianship - any recommendations |
assign boarding house
you may ask for the one that is closest to the main school teaching building, as students need to walk to teacher's classroom. (teachers have their own room, student moves from subject to subject). Close to main dining hall is also a concern, students may not want to go out during rainy / snow / cold days. It more safe that your child won't get lost. |
any ground transportation to and from the airport, check contact
follow up timing and price |
# of 6th form students and promotion requirement
how many leavers or new comers, from local or overseas? |
Do you offer any discount for prepayment (yearly) of school fees?
if not, do they have interest free installment |
any field trips / 雜費
must have…. Depends on location and duration |
學費已包括書簿費? 但高年級學生可能要付額外費用購買參考書)等。e.g. no need to pay for text books, just box files, writing pad, etc. |
school started, boys / parents to meet / school tour / service at Chapel. ask if there's any school tour on the first day. Basicaly at least has tea time (3-3.30pm) & chapel. |
uniform list - see if available in school website
can also observe what can be bought in advance during the tours. If there's school uniform shop, you may also check with the staff. |