Application Process
Introduction
Anfield School (the School) is an independent charitable Catholic International Primary School for boys and girls aged between 4 years 8 months and 11 years old, with additional needs.
The Head of School is responsible for admissions and the operation of this policy.
The aims of this policy are:
- To set selection criteria and procedures that are consistent and fair to all children.
- To identify children whose academic and other abilities appear to match the ethos and standards of the School and whose personal qualities suggest they have the potential to contribute sufficiently to the School community and benefit from the many opportunities that are offered here.
At Anfield our vision is to:
- ensure that each child is given a solid foundation of learning, which instils a sense of self-confidence and self-belief.
Our mission:
- Anfield is an international Catholic school, where all are committed to creating a loving and joy-filled environment that is inspired by Jesus Christ. Anfield is a culturally diverse environment where all children are challenged, both academically and spiritually.
Our goals are:
- To encourage respect within the child for themselves, for others and for the environment.
- To encourage children to reach their fullest potential in academics, in expressive arts and in sports.
- To encourage children to be self-motivated, resilient and diligent in all that they do.
- To develop in each child a knowledge, understanding and respect for the Catholic faith.
- To provide an environment where everyone in our school community feels safe and is aware of their rights and responsibilities and those of others.
- To continually move forward, through innovation, creativity and endeavour, and to explore the world with its myriad of opportunities and challenges.
The selection criteria and interview/assessment procedures are determined and reviewed from time to time by the Head of School. The selection criteria now offers a priority place for Anfield Kindergarten students applying for an SEN place.
If the School is oversubscribed, and upon satisfactory completion of the entry assessment, the following criteria will apply:
- Children who are native English speakers
- Children who are attending an Anfield International Kindergarten
- Siblings of children already attending Anfield School or Anfield Kindergarten
- Parent of children is a full-time employee of Anfield
- Date of receipt of a complete application
No children will be treated less favourably during the application process or during assessment on the grounds of their skin colour, race, nationality or ethnic and national origin, gender, religious faith, disability, orientation, or socio-economic group.
Special Educational Needs
The School is committed to providing a quality education for pupils with additional and special educational needs and promotes a positive culture towards inclusion.
Parents or guardians of a child who has any special educational needs should provide the Head of School with full written details when submitting an Application Form and include (where possible);
-
- Current school reports;
- A current IEP (if applicable);
- A current Educational Psychologist report (if applicable);
- A current Occupational Therapy report (if applicable);
- A current Speech and Language Therapy report (if applicable);
- Any other relevant reports e.g. ABA etc.
Following interview, the School will be able to advise whether it is able to provide an education that meets the needs of a particular child, and if so, where the child might best be placed in the School (mainstream inclusion or the St. Bosco Centre, the dedicated class for children with learning difficulties). The child will only be included in a mainstream class if his/her presence will not interfere with the other pupils’ learning.
The School needs this information so that, in the case of any child with particular needs, we can assess the needs of a child and make sure the School can provide adequately for them throughout the admission process. The School shall determine whether special conditions will apply to the child during the application process.
The School must feel confident about being able to cater properly and appropriately for the special needs of the child, and that his/her presence will not interfere with other pupils’ learning. Should individual assistance be required, parents will need to pay the extra charges.
Pupils who have additional needs who attend an Anfield kindergareten will be given priority.
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
Anfield is a multi-national, multi-cultural school. The School wants all of its pupils to have the same educational opportunities and experiences.
The School can admit children for whom English is an Additional Language (EAL) if, on initial assessment, it deems them able, with appropriate support, to benefit in due course from the mainstream curriculum. Until such a time as the pupil is integrated into the mainstream curriculum, tuition will be provided by a specialist teacher either in small groups or through individual tuition in English as appropriate.
It is a condition of admission that the cost of such tuition should be borne by the parents. Such charges will be communicated to parents with the offer of a place.
Occasionally, a child may have fallen behind in his/her education due to illness etc. In such a case, the School may offer a place in a year lower than the child’s age would normally imply. Parents or guardians will be consulted before such an offer is made, but the decision as to the appropriate year for the child, taking into account all the relevant circumstances, is a matter for the Head of School, whose decision is final. Under usual circumstances, all children are placed in their chronologically correct year group.
Entry – Introduction
Anfield School is a private independent international co-educational school with Catholic values that provides
an excellent all-round education so that every pupil can develop the academic, artistic, sporting and personal
strengths needed for later life.
Anfield School welcomes enquiries from all interested parents irrespective of colour, race or religion. All
aspects of parental enquiries, visits, registration and entry procedure are the responsibility of the Admissions
Secretary, who reports to the Head of School. Prospective parents are invited to arrange an individual visit to
the School or attend an Open Day in order to get a real sense of the school. We hope to be able to get to
know you and your child well to assess whether their needs and aspirations fit best with what we can offer.
Registration
Parents or guardians are invited to arrange an individual visit to the School through the Admissions Office.
Admission to the School is at the discretion of the Head of School.
To apply to the School, parents or guardians of children must apply online on the Anfield St. Bosco Koon Ying
School website Click Here
Parents may register a son or daughter at any age. The completion of an application form and the payment of
the non-refundable application fee of $400 and assessment fee of $600 does not guarantee a place. Most boys
and girls join Year One in the August of the calendar year in which they reach their 5 th birthday. When the
number of registrations for a particular class reaches capacity, the class list will be closed and a waiting list will
be brought into operation.
- Candidates for Year One will be invited to attend an interview individually, and / or within a group of
up to eight children. The interview schedule begins in January/February for entry in August of the
same year. - Year One to Year Six applicants will be invited to attend an assessment and / or an interview
throughout the school year.
A closing date for acceptance of a conditional offer will be given to parents at the time. Confirmations from parents received after the closing date, are not guaranteed to be accepted.
Selection
The preconditions for admission are that:
The child is of the appropriate age. The age of child should be:
| Year 1 | 5 years old by 31st December of the year of entry |
| Year 2 | 6 years old by 31st December of the year of entry |
| Year 3 | 7 years old by 31st December of the year of entry |
| Year 4 | 8 years old by 31st December of the year of entry |
| Year 5 | 9 years old by 31st December of the year of entry |
| Year 6 | 10 years old by 31st December of the year of entry |
- The School is able to provide adequately for any special educational needs (if any) the child may have following assessment of the pupil by the Head of School and/or the Special Educational Needs Coordinator if required.
- The child fulfils any conditions of the offer set out in the conditional offer letter.
The selection criterion to be fulfilled by the pupil will be determined by the School.
Notes
- In accordance with regulations of the Education Bureau and Immigration Department all students joining Anfield School must be in possession of a valid Hong Kong ID card allowing unconditional stay or must have a valid passport with authorised residency status to be eligible for a place at Anfield School. A visitor visa does not entitle the holder to attend any school in Hong Kong.
- Anfield School implements a mandatory busing policy and therefore requires all pupils to take the school bus or public teansport to and from school. This helps to reduce traffic around school, avoid inconveniencing local residents and keep pupils and the community safer.
Interview / Assessment
Anfield is a through-train school, offering a seamless educational journey from Nursery through Kindergarten and into Primary School. Our admissions process supports this continuity while also providing clear pathways for pupils joining from other schools.
Anfield Kindergarten Pupils
Mainstream pupils currently attending Anfield Kindergarten are not required to attend an interview when progressing to Anfield School. Throughout the year, the Head of Primary visits Anfield Kindergarten classes to observe pupils’ readiness for Year 1.
However, children applying for a Mainstream and SEN place or an SEN place will be invited for an individual screening, accompanied by one parent. This ensures we fully understand each child’s needs and how best to support them.
Non-Anfield Kindergarten Pupils
Applicants from outside the Anfield Kindergarten system will be contacted at the appropriate time to arrange an interview and/or assessment. This process evaluates a child’s proficiency in English and Mathematics, as well as their readiness to engage with the School’s curriculum.
To be considered for entry, children should demonstrate the ability to progress comfortably and benefit from the full educational experience at Anfield. At the Head of School’s discretion, children with additional educational needs may be offered a place, provided appropriate resources are available. The Head of School’s decision is final.
- Year 1 Entry (August Intake)
Children seeking admission into Year 1 for the start of the academic year in August may be invited to attend an interview either individually or in a small group of up to eight children. Interview scheduling typically begins in November for August entry.
- Applications Throughout the Year
Applications for all year groups are welcomed year-round. Admission is subject to availability in the relevant year group. Families relocating to Hong Kong are encouraged to contact the Admissions Team for tailored assistance.
- Mainstream and SEN or an SEN Place Applications
Applicants for SEN or combined Mainstream and SEN places will undergo an individual screening, accompanied by a known adult. This process is ongoing and adapted to each child. The School works closely with families and, where applicable, the child’s current school to assess the required level of support. The assessment may include:
- Review of professional reports submitted by parents or current schools
- Observation of the child during a typical school day
- Visits to the child’s existing educational setting (where possible)
- Discussions with current school staff
- Meetings with parents and an informal screening with the child
Confirmation of Entry
Parents of pupils who are accepted by the School are formally notified in writing. On acceptance of a place, parents of all prospective pupils are invited to confirm their intention of sending their child to the School by the date set out in the conditional offer letter together with:
- A completed and signed Acceptance Form
- The non-refundable and non-transferrable *Registration Fee and *Tuition Deposit
Once a place is offered and accepted, the Registration Fee and the Tuition Deposit of are due immediately.
- The Registration Fee will be credited against the school fees for the child’s first term at the school.
- The Tuition Deposit will be credited against the school fees for the child’s last term at the School.
- Registration will only be completed after the school has received the Registration Fee and the Tuition Deposit.
- The Registration Fee and Tuition Deposit are non-refundable and non-transferable if a child subsequently does not take up the confirmed place at the school.
- Once an entrant is confirmed, a full term’s notice is required for withdrawal.
- A closing date for acceptance of a conditional offer will be given to parents at the time. Confirmations after the closing date cannot be guaranteed a place at the school.
Note: With effective from 1 September 2025, the current Debenture will be replaced by a *HK$42,000 of Tuition Deposit
