Exploring Secondary Education in Hong Kong: Insights from Top International Schools
Jun 05, 2025On 6 May 2025, I was honoured to moderate a vibrant panel with leaders from Hong Kong’s top international schools. We were delighted to have Rob Fox (Wycombe Abbey School HK), James Brewer (Harrow International School), Nicholas Forde (The Independent Schools Foundation Academy), Simon Misso-Veness (German Swiss International School), Aimmie Kellar (Hong Kong International School), and Christine Doleman (Chinese International School).
The discussion focused on secondary education, offering sharp insights into philosophies, wellbeing, university preparation, and transitions. Here are some key insights into what was discussed.
Philosophies That Go Beyond Grades
These top schools are genuinely guided by a variation of the philosophy that they're not just chasing exam results; they’re shaping humans. Weaving in leadership and resilience through co-curriculars including sport and drama (at Harrow), leaning into inquiry and service to spark curiosity (at HKIS) and using experiential learning to build independence and ground students in integrity are all as, or more important, than grades they said.
What matters is supporting young people to become adaptable, principled individuals who can handle whatever comes next.
Wellbeing Isn’t Just a Buzzword
Teenage years are complicated, and these top schools are skilled in managing the most complicated issues. From social-emotional counselling to peer mentors and quick check-ins such as smiley-face surveys, support is woven into daily life. Some use senior student ambassadors to guide younger students through exam stress; others rely on long-term counsellors to build trust. Informal chats - over table tennis or lunch -often reveal more than data. The takeaway: wellbeing is the engine of success, not an afterthought, with human connection at its core.
University Prep Is About Fit, Not Fame
Getting into top universities isn’t about ticking boxes; it’s about finding the right path. Schools start early, some in Grade 8/Year 9, tailoring trajectories for Oxbridge or Ivy League. They build ties with admissions officers and leverage alumni success to open doors. Project-based skills prepare students for a shifting academic world, while counsellors ensure their portfolios shine.
Parents often fixate on a school’s name, but the panel flipped this. Strong student profiles and portfolios matter more than brand, they agreed. Schools build versatile profiles for global universities. While US colleges are looking more at the whole child, UK universities are still mainly interested in grades. The real edge? A school that fits your child’s vibe amplifies their potential far beyond a logo. The message was clear: ditch the obsession with the “best” universities and focus on where your child will thrive.
What Parents Need to Hear
Choose a school - whether primary, secondary or tertiary - that shares your values. It’s a partnership, not a transaction. Wellbeing, roughly translated as 'Is my child "happy" and enjoying school?' is as critical as academics, with systems in place to catch students before they slip. University prep is a long game; trust schools to guide your child's passions to the right fit.
We are reminded why we opt in to very expensive international schools; they aren’t just educating; they’re raising global citizens ready for a complex world.
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