There has been growing interest among Hong Kong parents in sending their children to boarding schools overseas, yet the process of selecting and getting into schools abroad can be complicated and highly competitive. At Wycombe Abbey School Hong Kong (WASHK), a dedicated Secondary and Boarding School Guidance Programme is provided to all students to support their entry to top educational establishments.
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From the outset, the School Mentoring team will meet with parents and students to address any initial concerns and explore the range of secondary education options available. “It is crucial that students are involved in the discussions as the main objective is matching the child to the school,” says Mr Howard Tuckett, Headmaster of WASHK.
When preparing for interviews, Mr Tuckett cautions parents and students against over-rehearsal. “Interviewers are looking for the spark of individuality in each child and find out whether they are a good fit for the school”, he explains. “Hence, rather than creating a set of answers for students to memorise, we focus on helping them put themselves forward clearly and converse with confidence and elegance.”
Lucy Young, a WASHK student who has been offered to study at Rugby School in the UK, is particularly grateful for the exam preparations provided by the school. “We are given common entrance exam lessons weekly to help us improve our critical thinking, analysis, and essay writing skills,” she notes.
Aside from connecting families to UK boarding schools, WASHK also provides students with the option to embark on a 1-year exchange programme to one of its sister schools in Mainland China. “This is a valuable opportunity for our children to broaden their horizons and solidify their foundation in the Chinese language and culture,” says Nicola Cheung, a WASHK parent.
Once offers are received, WASHK helps students hone the soft skills needed to adjust and thrive in a new learning environment. As Mrs Emily Harrison, coordinator of the Secondary and Boarding School Guidance Programme, elucidates, “Our goal is to ensure that our students will be able to fit in by collaborating and showing consideration for their peers, as well as stand out by having the confidence to be themselves and stand by their morals.”
WASHK’s holistic educational model, based on the National Curriculum for England, is also specifically designed to equip students for top secondary and boarding schools. Guided by the motto ‘Every Child Can Excel’, WASHK delivers a broad and international school education with a total of 14 subjects and an extra-curricular activities (ECA) programme consisting of over 50 clubs and activities.
As Lily Young, another WASHK student, says, “I look forward to coming to school and discovering what I will be learning in each class. After school, I enjoy being a part of the school choir as we can build our trust in one another and develop our competence in singing. In the eco-warriors club, I also have the chance to organise eco-friendly activities and raise awareness on global warming.”
By strengthening their academic prowess and promoting their holistic development, Mr Tuckett emphasises that students at WASHK are prepared not only for the rigorous learning environment of British independent schools, but also to become the business and professional people of Asia in a decade’s time.
