Kowloon Junior School

Kowloon Junior School (KJS) is situated in Ho Man Tin, a central neighbourhood in Kowloon. The area offers convenient transport links, including nearby MTR stations and bus routes. It is a mainly residential district with parks, community facilities, and other ESF schools within easy reach.

KJS provides education for primary-aged students from Year 1 to Year 6, generally aged 5 to 11. The school follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP) across all year levels, focusing on transdisciplinary learning through inquiry.

KJS is a co-educational, day school. It does not offer boarding facilities. The school operates under the English Schools Foundation (ESF), which manages admissions, fees, and governance across its network of international schools in Hong Kong.

The Individual Needs Department at KJS provides tailored support for students requiring extra assistance. Provision includes help for those with significant learning difficulties or disabilities, those needing additional English-language support, and students performing above expected levels. The department works with classroom teachers and parents to ensure every student can access the curriculum effectively.

KJS is part of the English Schools Foundation (ESF), a Hong Kong-based organization. The school does not have an affiliation with any other country.

KJS has no religious affiliation and operates as a secular international school.

The school day runs from 8:30 am to 2:45 pm, Monday to Friday. Students have scheduled morning and lunch breaks, with specialist sessions for Music, PE, and Chinese language included in the daily timetable.

KJS provides a school-bus service managed by multiple approved providers, including Yang May Lee Travel Services Ltd., Sunning Bus Service Company, Kimmy Travel Co., Chit Luen Travel, and Yu Chui Yuk Co. Routes cover Kowloon, Hong Kong Island, and the New Territories. Families can select the most convenient route, with service details and provider contacts published annually on the school website.

Kowloon Junior School delivers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme (PYP) for students in Years 1 to 6. The PYP framework promotes inquiry-based learning through six transdisciplinary themes, integrating subjects such as English, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, the Arts, and Personal, Social and Physical Education. Chinese (Mandarin) is taught through a multi-pathway model, with instruction increasing in frequency and complexity from Year 1 to Year 6. Specialist lessons include Music, Physical Education, and Visual Arts, each led by dedicated teachers. Digital literacy and the responsible use of technology are also incorporated throughout the curriculum. Assessment is ongoing and based on individual progress, culminating in a Year 6 Exhibition, where students design and present a personal inquiry project to demonstrate their learning.

Kowloon Junior School embeds wellbeing and social-emotional development across the school day. The school provides a dedicated wellbeing curriculum, focusing on healthy eating, physical activity, and emotional awareness. A full-time school counsellor, Mr Ian Ong, supports students and staff with guidance and counselling services. Teachers promote student voice and leadership through initiatives such as class representatives and the Student Council. The school’s culture of inclusion and respect is reinforced through assemblies, pastoral activities, and classroom discussions.

SEN support is coordinated through the Individual Needs Department, which works collaboratively with teachers and families. The department supports four main groups of learners: students with significant learning difficulties or disabilities, students who require additional help within mainstream classes, students who need language support, and students performing above expected levels who need enrichment. KJS is not a specialist SEN school, but it provides differentiated instruction and targeted support within the mainstream setting. Provision is designed to ensure all students can access the curriculum and progress according to their abilities.

Students requiring additional English support are assisted through the Individual Needs Department, which includes provision for EAL learners. The school offers targeted support to help students access the curriculum in English while building fluency and comprehension skills. The website identifies EAL as one of the four supported learner categories under “Student Support.” Specific programme structures and language intervention details are not publicly disclosed on the KJS website.

KJS promotes mental well-being through its wellbeing framework and the presence of a full-time counsellor, who provides confidential support to students. The school ensures all staff receive regular safeguarding and well-being training. Activities that encourage mindfulness, empathy, and resilience are integrated into daily routines and assemblies. The school’s approach to wellbeing aims to maintain a safe and caring environment where students feel heard and supported.

KJS maintains a formal safeguarding policy with named officers responsible for implementation. Mr Ciarian Fay serves as the Safeguarding Lead and Child Protection Officer, with Ms Dawn Doucette as a secondary Child Protection Officer. The school uses the secure platform Record My to manage safeguarding records and collaborates with the ESF central safeguarding team. Staff undergo regular training to identify and respond appropriately to child protection concerns.

1. Online Application
All applications are made through the English Schools Foundation (ESF) online admissions portal. Families must submit a completed application form and pay a non-refundable fee. Supporting documents such as the child’s birth certificate, passport, and proof of residence in Hong Kong are required.

2. Assessment and Interview
Applicants are invited for an age-appropriate assessment to evaluate English language proficiency and school readiness. Assessments for Year 1 entry are typically conducted during the year before admission. The school communicates results directly to parents via email.

3. Offer of Placement
Successful applicants receive a conditional offer from ESF. Families must confirm acceptance within the specified period by submitting the one-time Capital Levy (unless exempt through a Nomination Right) and completing enrolment documentation.

4. Enrolment Confirmation
Once payment and documentation are processed, the student’s place is confirmed. Parents receive orientation details and class placement information from the school before the start of the academic year.

Kowloon Junior School and the wider ESF network do not offer scholarships or bursaries for primary-level students. All tuition fees and levies apply equally to all families. Financial aid programmes are not listed on the KJS or ESF websites for primary education.

KJS does not operate an internal pool system. Admissions are managed centrally by the ESF Admissions Office, which maintains waitlists for each year level based on application dates and priority criteria. Priority is given to children of full-time ESF staff, siblings of current students, and holders of Nomination Rights. When spaces become available, ESF contacts families directly according to the order on the central waitlist.