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ESF Family

ESF Family

West Island School is a part of the English Schools Foundation (ESF), the largest provider of English-medium international education in Hong Kong – with 22 schools being home to over 18,000 students from over 70 countries. 

 

As one of ESF's international secondary schools, West Island School empowers students from Year 7 to Year 13 to find their purpose and embrace new challenges to become more engaged, resilient, and successful learners. We provide the environment and the opportunities for our students to not only find their passion and purpose but also to realise their unique potential in school and in life. 

World-Class Education

Every single member of our staff – in and out of the classroom – is united in a single mission: to help every single student be the best that they can be. The education that your child will receive at every stage of their journey, from Kindergarten (K1) to Year 13, will be designed to help them discover their passions. 

 

Our teachers are the world's best, drawn from across the globe. They will get to know your child, to understand their passions, their unique talents and how they learn. This personalised approach is what makes us so special and allows us to achieve the results that we do.

 

Being part of a wider network of schools allows your child to benefit from the varied range of facilities, courses and expertise that exists within our organisation. For over 50 years, we have been providing a world-class education to the people of Hong Kong - with our students going on to attend some of the finest Universities and Colleges in the world.

 

And, while we recognise that academic results really matter, our approach to education goes way beyond learning facts and acquiring knowledge. We want our students to be curious about the world, to ask questions, to have opinions.

 

We want them to excel in the things that make them happy. Our provision of sports, arts, drama and leadership opportunities is unparalleled.

 

Above all, we want our students to go out into the world with the skills they need to lead a happy successful life.

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the centre of who we are at ESF.

 

We are a community of over 18,000 students and staff from more than 70 nationalities and cultures, with a history stretching back over 50 years. We recognise the importance of creating an environment where everyone is treated equally, with dignity and respect, and appreciated for who they are.

 

This is integral to our vision, mission and values as a leading international school organisation, committed to developing and inspiring every student to be the best that they can be.

 

Each school within ESF holds a shared vision to create a welcoming learning and working environment, including online, where everyone is valued and supported, so that each and every person in our community can thrive. We believe this is a key driver of our excellence and empowers our students and our staff to reach their fullest potential.

 

We are aware of our critical role in shaping the future generation of global citizens and are committed to constantly assessing and challenging our own diversity, equity and inclusion practices to ensure we are doing our very best for our students, staff, parents and the wider community.

 

Our commitments:

  1. To provide students with an equal opportunity to access education and the support they require to enable them to flourish and truly be the best that they can be.
  2. To embrace diversity and celebrate the uniqueness of each student through our personalised learning approach in all ESF kindergartens, primary, secondary and all-through schools.
  3. To educate students and staff on the importance and impact of positive diversity, equity and inclusion policies, practices and behaviours through normalising speaking up, identifying learning opportunities, and holding regular training, awareness events and campaigns.
  4. To promote equitable practices in all of our operations and be fair in the way we deal with all aspects of recruitment and employment.
  5. Not to tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind, including online, against any student or member of staff such as in relation to gender, pregnancy, breastfeeding, adoption, marital status, age, family status, belief, race, disability or sexuality.
  6. To constantly work on improving our focus and accountability in relation to diversity, equity and inclusion; to have personal responsibility and commitment to learning and growth in these areas; to provide regular training and professional development opportunities across all levels of the organisation; to be transparent about our efforts and our progress in reaching our goals; and to highlight and challenge our unconscious biases and be open to ideas for change and improvement.

Safeguarding and Child Protection

ESF upholds every child’s right to learn and live in conditions that protect them from harm.

 

At ESF we prioritise Safeguarding and Child Protection. Through our actions, we promote the optimum development of our students' intellectual, physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. Wherever possible, we aim to prevent harm through our safeguarding actions, and if harm has occurred, we respond through our child protection procedures.

All ESF staff are trained in preventative and protective measures, with each school having at least two dedicated Child Protection Officers on site to lead on this critical aspect of student life.

Our policy and procedures are based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Hong Kong law, and additional guidance from international sources such as Keeping Children Safe, and the International Taskforce on Child Protection.

 

Our policy is built on four core tenets:

  • We respond: All our actions are proactive and responsive, guided by strong policy to ensure we do all we can to safeguard and protect our students.
  • We support: We work in hope, towards a future without child maltreatment, in close collaboration with our students and their families. We understand the specific context they live in, and support them in a culturally sensitive manner.
  • We connect: We engage and partner with local and international support services, with our communities, and with each other through the ESF Child Protection Officers Network.
  • We develop: The field of Child Protection is always in motion; we constantly strive to improve our approach. We refine and review our actions, with the aim to constantly better ourselves.

By enrolling their children at ESF, parents agree to work in partnership with us and abide by the ESF Safeguarding and Child Protection policy and procedures.

Download ESF Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

 

Download ESF Parent Brochure on Safeguarding and Child Protection

 

Meet our Child Protection Officers

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