Objectives

To support you/the parents to find suitable place(s) for your child(ren)/your client's child(ren) in school in Hong Kong or outbound to the UK from Hong Kong.

We will complete all steps according to the agreed inclusions within the agreed timeframe. 

Strategy

Our approach is a strategic one to Finding the Fit. This means we seek to understand parents’ preferences and priorities, align these with the child’s proficiency and personality and the school’s policies and procedures. We will ascertain a) the best-fit school(s) and b) schools in which a space for your child will likely be available,

We recommend no more than 3 applications to generate one offer.

An element of preparation is included in in some plans, although extensive tuition, preparation and ‘training’ fall outside the scope and does not align with our philosophy of ‘best-fit’.

We are not able to offer a guarantee for any one particular school.

Assessment

If included, we will arrange an age-appropriate assessment. The test mimics a typical school’s entrance test (or part of it) and is usually computer-based. 

Our practice test is designed to familiarise pupils with the online format, style and content of this multiple-choice test so they feel confident and prepared for the actual assessment. Solutions and age-specific result statistics are provided. 

We may administer a separate writing task and/or interview to supplement this. This may incur additional charge.

All online assessments can be conducted remotely, if necessary. All assessments are available as add-ons if not included.

For a child under five, an in-person assessment may be arranged at additional cost.

Community/Online Resources

Community membership is included in all plans with at least 12 months of all areas access with unlimited use. Extended periods are available at a nominal fee.

Community guidelines must be agreed to on the first login.

The community is provided via a third party platform such as Kajabi. We also make extensive use of Google Drive for shared documents, so a degree of familiarity with this is required.

Fees
All fees quoted are in HK$ and exclude: 

• School application/registration fees 
• External reports such as psychologist’s assessment or additional academic benchmarking 
• Any interview/assessment prep/tutoring
• Invigilation of entrance tests
• Accompanied visits
• More than the agreed number of online/in person assessments
• Other expenses such as uniforms, textbooks, travel, sending/receiving large parcels, legal expenses, handling charges for payments to schools, etc 
• Support outside of the agreed scope and/or service period 

Payment of application/ registration fees

Our fees do not include application/registration fees and we do not pay any other fees to schools on behalf of parents.

Extras

From time to time, clients require services that fall outside the scope of the standard inclusions. We are happy to provide additional services at an additional cost. These are subject to availability and must be paid for in advance.

Application Support

Where not included, we can assist with the preparation of all applications, including lengthy essay answers and supporting documents and submit on behalf of the parents on request at additional cost.

Individual Learning Needs 

For children with Individual Learning Needs (excluding ESL - English as a Second Language Support),  an additional fee may also be chargeable. This fee is not fixed and is dependent on the level of additional support required. Where clients have engaged on a plan without declaring a learning need, we reserve the right to automatically upgrade and bill for the difference.

Others

Any other additional work undertaken outside the scope will be quoted for separately.

Payment Terms

Service will begin when the first payment/deposit is confirmed to be received at our end or a quote has been accepted electronically. 

The remaining portion of the fee, if any, is required as agreed. If not on a regular payment schedule, it is usually when an offer is received from one of the schools applied to by the client(s)/parent(s) or by Top Schools on behalf of the client(s)/parent(s), regardless of whether the offer is accepted by the client(s)/parent(s).

We reserve the right to bill 100% on engagement. 

Payments are non-refundable. Please ensure ALL bank charges are absorbed on your end.
Payment constitutes acceptance of all terms in this agreement. 

All payments made shall be made free and clear of any set-off or counterclaim and/or deduction of any kind.

Overdue Charges

The invoiced amount is due within 7 days, unless specified otherwise - late payment will accrue a penalty. A monthly rate of 4% penalty interest starting from the 8th day will be applied to the outstanding balance.

Suspension of Service & Withdrawal of School Applications
If payment is not received as agreed, we reserve the right to immediately cease all kinds of services, including, but not limited to, withdrawal of School Applications that have already been submitted on behalf of the client(s)/parent(s).

Liability
Each party will assume the risk for any damages to or loss of its own property as well as for injury to its own employees, agents or any other of its representatives arising or resulting from the service provided. 

Termination
If for any reason, client(s)/parent(s) are unsatisfied with our work, you may terminate our working relationship at any time.  If an offer from a school applied to is subsequently generated, the second instalment remains payable at that time.

We may also terminate this agreement and cease all services if:

• The terms of this agreement are not met
• We feel that mutual confidence and trust no longer exists between us. 

Duration of Agreement

This agreement comes into effect on the date payment is received/quote is accepted. The service concludes on 

• the end date of a plan, or 
• the date a child is confirmed to enter the school from which an offer has been accepted, whichever is earlier,
• Community Membership may continue.

Governing Law & Jurisdiction
This Agreement is governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of Hong Kong and the parties irrevocably submit to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the Courts of Hong Kong. 

Entire Agreement
This Agreement and any attachments constitute the entire agreement between the parties as to its subject matter and supersede all prior discussions, representations and agreements. 

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PARENT PARTNERSHIP GUIDELINES 

Securing a place for your child requires close partnership between your consultant and your family. This is how we can work together best: 

Resources Needed
We will need :

• Full, prompt access to all personal/school information and documents requested. Some of this will be sensitive and will need to be updated. All personal data will be handled in accordance with our Personal Information Collection Statement (https://www.topschools.asia/terms-of-use-privacy-policy)
• Full disclosure at all stages in relation to, but not limited to, any individual learning needs, family status and background, health or visa issues. 
• Full. prompt updates on applications submitted and any and all email correspondence with schools.
• Prompt responses from you to our communications. 

Service Level
We will respond to non-urgent emails/phone calls/texts within 48 working hours (Monday - Friday; 9AM - 5PM). 

Where included, the 1:1 support is virtual. In-person meetings may be arranged if convenient. We will arrange additional meetings or meetings outside of office hours, or at external locations where possible. 

The service is provided by the Top Schools team, led by the best-fit consultant. Where necessary, the lead consultant may be substituted at any time by Top Schools.

We make no guarantee that your child(ren) will secure offers from particular schools but we promise to use our significant expertise and connections to achieve the best possible result with your co-operation. 

Confidentiality
Each party agrees to treat the other’s documents as confidential. A party shall not cause or facilitate any publicity in the press or other media about the Services without the other’s consent.