THE ENGLISH SCHOOLS FOUNDATION
REPORT TO THE BOARD
FOR THE MEETING ON 28 JANUARY 2015
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT
1.
Introduction
1.1
Primary schools and kindergartens are engaged in admission interviews for places
into Year 1 and K1. Letters informing parents of the interview results will be received
prior to Chinese New Year with deposit and levy payments being required by 27
February, 2015. Depending on the take-up of places, schools may be in a position to
offer a second round of interviews to waitlisted applicants to take place later in the
term. ESF International Kindergartens are also conducting interviews in January for
K1 entry in August 2015.
1.2
Annual recruitment to fill the expected 84 vacancies across ESF schools has started.
There are relatively more vacancies in primary this year than secondary. Secondary
principals are trialing the use of an automated video interview tool which will save
both time and recruitment costs.
1.3
The strategic planning process continues to be high on the agenda. Currently work is
being done to identify possible strategic objectives and actions for the immediate,
medium and long term. The brand audit is providing a valuable insight into possible
areas for development.
1.4
ESF fundraising requires focused attention, particularly for the new Island School
rebuild. ESF is currently recruiting a person to lead the work in this area. Initially the
post holder will focus on ESF Island School.
1.5
The Board away day will take place on Saturday, 31 January. The focus will be on
Board effectiveness with a focus on the role and function of the Board. The Board
Induction Programme is being introduced in the form of briefing sessions to be held
one hour before Board meetings starting on 28 January.
2.
Education
2.1
Learning Support Class Self-Evaluation and Review
Over the past year, nine schools have been reviewed. The reviews have identified
strengths in meeting the learning needs of students through providing meaningful
learning opportunities and the use of appropriate resources. Recommendations for
improvement include providing greater differentiation and support in specialist class
lessons.
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Self-evaluation and reviews will be carried out in five schools over the next three
terms.
2.2
ESF in partnership with ISF to make a difference
ESF is supporting the work of Indochina Starfish Foundation (ISF). ISF is an
international charity helping the most disadvantaged children in Cambodia. ESF
teachers have volunteered their time to help to develop a written curriculum and
make resources for ISF. Four members of staff from ESF visited Cambodia to deliver
a series of weekend workshops to ISF teachers.
2.3
International Schools Assessment (ISA) Results: Year 4 and 6 students
The International Schools’ Assessment (ISA) is an annual assessment programme
that has been specially developed to measure skills in mathematical literacy, reading,
narrative writing and expository writing.
All students in Year 4 and Year 6 were assessed in October 2014 using the
International Schools Assessment.
The results are our strongest to date.
Schools are in the process of analysing their results and will report results to school
councils later this term.
A full report on the ISA results and other primary assessment results will be
presented to the Board in Term 3.
3.
Finance
3.1
The budgeting process for 2015-18 has started. Budget holders are considering the
budget plans for the next three years to determine the level of resource required.
4.
Human Resources
4.1
Annual Recruitment Update
There are 84 resignations to date, which is similar to the number of resignations last
year. Whilst the overall attrition rate is stable, there were relatively more resignations
in primary and fewer in secondary compared to previous years. Almost 3,000
applications were received from 1,827 applicants.
4.2
LinkedIn Recruitment Award
HR recently won an "Evolving Employer" award from LinkedIn in recognition of ESF’s
social recruitment strategy and for developing employer branding on LinkedIn in
Hong Kong and across Asia. The award is well deserved as the HR team has made
good use of technological innovations to strengthen recruitment processes for ESF.
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5.
Facilities Development Department
5.1
Island School
The Concept Design co-creation phase of the project is now complete with
presentations being made to the project Core Group, Major Buildings Project
Committee and the Board in January 2015.
The report was presented to the MBPC on 20 January 2015 and will be presented to
the Board at its meeting on 28 January 2015.
The Board will be asked to approve the concept design to be taken forward to the
detailed design and planning stage.
5.2
Shatin College Extension Project
Over the last 18 months, the facilities team has been working closely with the school
team at Shatin College to review the space needs and issues affecting the operations
at the school.
MBPC members visited the school site on 20 January 2015 to better understand the
issues and to establish recommendations which will be brought to the Board for
consideration and approval in March 2015.
5.3
Health & Safety
Work continues on the ESF Health and Safety Management System and related
documentation with various curriculum groups assisting with the revision and
development of policies and procedures.
6.
ESF Educational Services Limited
6.1
The opening of the ESF International Kindergarten, Tung Chung has been delayed
by one year from August 2015 to August 2016. Parents have been advised of the
situation and arrangements are being made for children who have priority for
kindergarten entry to be given a place at either Tsing Yi or Hillside where additional
places have been provided.
6.2
Plans are moving ahead positively for the opening of the ESF Language and
Learning Centre in Wanchai in March.
Belinda Greer
19 January 2015
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