By: Melissa Stevens
The opening of Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong later this year will usher in centuries of academic tradition, drawing on over 400 years of experience.
With former pupils including celebrated naturalist Charles Darwin and poet Sir Philip Sidney, Shrewsbury has built a formidable reputation since being founded in 1552 as one of the original nine “great schools” of England.
Now students in Hong Kong will have the opportunity to experience a Shrewsbury education when its new campus opens in August in Tseung Kwan O. Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong will specialise in primary education, catering to pre-primary students with nursery and reception classes, as well as primary students from years 1 to 6.
Principal Ben Keeling began his career in London before moving to work in the international school sector. He arrived in Hong Kong just over four years ago and joined the Shrewsbury International School team in January. Ben is passionate about primary education and the opportunities that will be available at Shrewsbury, which has a track record of its students gaining entry to some of the world’s top universities.
“The impact of primary education is wide reaching and long lasting,” Ben says. “It’s during the primary years that learning behaviours are shaped – that’s where children learn how to learn. Families joining our school will benefit from the unique blend of traditional values, innovative teaching and learning approaches that lie at the heart of a Shrewsbury education.”
Shrewsbury International School will follow the English National Curriculum. Curriculum areas include Literacy, Mathematics, Computing, Science, History, Physical Education, Geography, Music, Drama, Citizenship, Art and Design, and Mandarin, which will be taught daily.
The new campus will have a huge array of facilities to ensure students get a chance to reach their full potential. The school’s physical education programme will be supported with two swimming pools, a football pitch, a gymnastics centre and a sports hall. Students interested in the arts will benefit from a dance studio, an auditorium that seats 500, a recital room and a series of music rooms. There will be studios for art, science, design and technology, as well as communal spaces and easy access to the outdoors.
“Our commitment to developing such incredible spaces only acts to underline our determination to provide a broad and individualised programme of study for each student in our care,” Ben says.
“Offering a range of specialist spaces within a purpose-built, world-class facility, I feel very proud of our ability to offer an unmatched range of experiences and opportunities to children in Hong Kong aged between three and 11.”
Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong will be located at Shek Kok Road, Tseung Kwan O, and is currently open for applications. Contact the admissions team at 2480 1500 or visit shrewsbury.hk.
Read more:
Bumper guide to international schools in Hong Kong
‘What’s the best school in Hong Kong?’
This article first appeared in the December/January 2017/18 issue of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue.
