News
A Great Reception
Tara Jenkins talks to Ben Keeling , head of Shrewsbury International School in Hong Kong , about the benefits of a school that focuses on primary years
There ’ s an obvious attraction to enrolling a three-year old in a school that will educate him or her right up until 18 but Ben Keeling , the young and energetic head of the new Shrewsbury International School , thinks education planning is a far more complex affair . “ How on earth can you tell if a child is right for A Levels when they ’ re four ?” he asks . “ A Levels suit children with spiky profiles , but maybe your child will have a more general profile , and IB might be a better qualification ? Or perhaps you ’ ve never thought about sending your child away to board , but all indications are they might thrive in that setting ? Or you ’ ve always been set on boarding for your child , but it may not be the right option for him ?”
Ben sees the finding of answers to these and other important questions surrounding the children in his care as a vital part of his new role as principal of the international primary school that is due to open in Tseung Kwan O in August 2018 . Shrewsbury , which will offer four classes of 20 in nursery and reception and then six classes for the remaining primary-year groups , will accept children from three years up to the age of 11 . Ben then will work with parents to ensure his charges make exactly the right next step , whether that is secondary education in Hong Kong or abroad – perhaps , even , at the prestigious Shrewsbury senior school in Shropshire , UK , itself . “ We ’ re looking for individual pathways for kids ,” he explains . “ Although we aren ’ t strictly a prep school , we are preparing children for the right senior setting . That is my job ”.
Part of that preparation is the provision of an impressive new campus , which Ben describes as a highly specialised facility . “ Because we are a primary specialist , we haven ’ t had to make any compromises , so every element of the school has been specifically designed for young people . We have a dance studio for dance , a drama studio for drama ; a sports hall for athletics , and a gymnastics ' Centre of Excellence ', which will be the best in Hong Kong . Primary education is all about experiences , broadening horizons and having a really good go : we ’ re trying to spark imagination and ambition for the future , and do it in a way which is truly appropriate . It ’ s nocompromise primary education ”.
Shrewsbury has been operating a primary school in Bangkok for 15 years now with such success that a second campus is due to open later this year , and Ben is working alongside the head and the Headmaster of Shrewsbury
UK to ensure Hong Kong is aligned with the same educational aims and values : namely , high-quality , specialist education . “ Of course , breadth of study is important , as is academic aspiration ,” he says . “ A sharing and nurturing community is also vital , and at the heart of the school . None of this means anything , however , unless the children are tangible recipients of it : that the experiences and opportunities you give them are representative of those values .”
Admissions opened in April with the policy described as ‘ gently selective ’; children and parents attend interviews and some academic selection tests , but Ben is quick to point out that selection at the age of three is at best , random . “ Part of the reason for the assessment process is to ensure we can cater for the needs of every child we offer a place , and to be certain parents understand our offer , and are willing to buy in from the start ”, he explains .
He ’ s happy about the recent influx of international schools into Hong Kong , believing it offers parents proper choice for the first time in a while . “ I am pro-family choice when it comes to schools , and feel completely comfortable in a competitive environment ,” he claims . “ When looking for a school , I advise parents to meet with the head – it ’ s hugely important , because he or she sets the ethos and the culture . Look them in the eye and trust your gut feeling : do they seem like the sort of person you could work with ? If a child comes in at three , they ’ re basically signing up for nine years of me ,” he adds . “ That ’ s a long-term commitment !” Something tells us parents aren ’ t going to be disappointed .
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