Discovery Bay International School - Early Years Foundation Stage Campus

Discovery Bay International School (DBIS) is located in Discovery Bay, a residential community on Lantau Island, Hong Kong. The campus is easily accessible via the Discovery Bay Tunnel Road and ferry links from Central. The surrounding neighbourhood is family-oriented, with convenient local transport and recreational amenities nearby.

The school is structured into three main sections: Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) for ages 3–5, Primary School for Years 1–6, and Secondary School for Years 7–13. EYFS operates on a separate campus, providing dedicated learning and play areas designed for early childhood education.

DBIS is a co-educational, non-boarding day school that welcomes both local and expatriate families. The school provides an inclusive environment where boys and girls learn together from Early Years through to Sixth Form.

The school offers Learning Enhancement and English as an Additional Language (EAL) support. Students with specific learning needs receive tailored assistance and individual communication goals. Where necessary, the school may recommend external specialists for additional support.

DBIS follows the British Curriculum, including the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), Key Stages 1–5, and (I)GCSE and A Level/BTEC qualifications in the upper years. It does not have an official affiliation with any specific country beyond the curriculum framework.

The school has no religious affiliation and welcomes students of all faiths and backgrounds.

The school operates Monday to Friday, typically from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. for most year groups. Timetables vary slightly by section and include breaks for snacks, lunch, and outdoor play. School days for EYFS include structured learning sessions interspersed with supervised free play and outdoor learning time.

DBIS provides a dedicated school bus service operated in partnership with Discovery Bay Transport Services. The service includes regular morning and afternoon routes within Discovery Bay and additional after-school routes (S6 and S9). Bus arrangements are coordinated through the school’s Hub, and families may register for routes directly through the transport provider.

The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Campus at Discovery Bay International School follows the Early Years Foundation Stage framework of the British Curriculum, designed for children aged 3 to 5 years. Learning is organised around seven key areas of development, including communication and language, literacy, numeracy, and physical and social growth. Teaching is play-based and inquiry-driven, allowing children to explore concepts through hands-on experiences both indoors and outdoors. The EYFS programme also integrates specialist lessons in music, physical education, and Mandarin. A distinctive feature of the curriculum is the Forest and Beach Schools programme, which provides structured opportunities for children to learn in natural settings within Discovery Bay.

At Discovery Bay International School, Social and Emotional Learning is embedded in daily classroom routines and the broader pastoral programme. Teachers model empathy, cooperation, and self-regulation as part of the Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) education curriculum, which uses the Jigsaw programme across school sections. In the EYFS, SEL is developed through structured play, circle time, and guided reflection on feelings and relationships. The school also involves families through parent workshops and communication resources shared via the DBIS Hub. These initiatives help children learn to manage emotions, build friendships, and develop positive attitudes to learning.

DBIS provides Learning Enhancement support for students with mild to moderate learning needs. The Learning Enhancement Team works collaboratively with class teachers to set individualised learning goals and monitor progress. When a child requires additional specialist support beyond what the school can offer, families are encouraged to engage external professionals at their own cost. DBIS is not a specialist SEN school, but it supports students with specific learning differences, such as speech, language, or mild developmental delays, within mainstream classrooms. All support plans are reviewed regularly in partnership with parents.

DBIS offers a structured English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme to support students who are developing proficiency in English. The EAL team designs individual communication goals focused on speaking, listening, reading, and writing. Teaching staff adapt lessons to provide visual and verbal support, ensuring inclusion within mainstream classes. Progress is monitored termly to track fluency and confidence. The EAL department also provides guidance for parents on supporting English learning at home.

The school promotes mental well-being through a whole-school well-being framework and resources shared on the DBIS Hub. Teachers and pastoral staff monitor children’s emotional health and provide early intervention where needed. In EYFS, this includes age-appropriate discussions about feelings, mindfulness activities, and outdoor learning in the Forest and Beach Schools programme, which fosters resilience and confidence. Staff communicate regularly with parents to ensure consistent support between home and school.

DBIS maintains a clear Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy, publicly available on the school website. The policy outlines the school’s commitment to keeping all students safe and the procedures for reporting and responding to concerns. All staff receive safeguarding training, and designated safeguarding leads oversee implementation across the school. Safeguarding responsibilities are communicated to families through policy documents and the Parent Hub. The school prioritises the physical and emotional safety of every child within its care.

1. Application Submission
Applications are accepted year-round through the online admissions portal on the DBIS website. Parents must complete the online form and submit supporting documents, including a recent photograph, a copy of the child’s birth certificate or passport, and the non-refundable application fee.

2. Supporting Documents and Review
Families must upload the child’s latest school or nursery report (if applicable) and proof of residency in Hong Kong. Once all documents are received, the Admissions Office reviews them to ensure eligibility for the appropriate year group based on the child’s age.

3. Assessment and Interview
If a suitable place is available, the school arranges an assessment and/or interview to evaluate the child’s readiness for entry into the EYFS programme. Assessments are informal and developmentally appropriate, focusing on early communication, social interaction, and play-based engagement.

4. Offer of Place
Successful applicants receive a formal offer letter by email. To confirm the place, parents must pay the Standard or Premium School Development Levy before the start date. The offer may specify a deadline for payment to secure enrolment.

5. Enrolment and Orientation
Once all fees are settled, the school confirms the start date and shares information on orientation and class placement. Parents receive access to the DBIS Parent Hub for ongoing updates and school communications.

The school website includes a Scholarship Programme reference, but no specific details on eligibility, application process, or award structure are publicly provided. Therefore, as of the current academic year, DBIS does not publicly disclose information regarding scholarship types or criteria.

DBIS operates a priority-based waiting list for full year groups. Priority is given first to applicants under the Principal’s discretion, followed by families who have paid the Premium School Development Levy (PSDL), then to siblings of current students, returning DBIS families, and finally to all other applicants in the order that their application fee was received. Families on the waiting list are notified if a place becomes available, and assessments are arranged as openings arise within the EYFS year groups.