University Information

Contact Information

International College of Hong Kong
60 Sha Tau Kok Road,
Shek Chung Au,
Sha Tau Kok,
New Territories, Hong Kong

Phone: (852) 2655 9018
Fax: (852) 2655 9788
Web: www.ichk.edu.hk
Email: info@ichk.edu.hk

Head of School:  Toby Newton
Director of Student Welfare: Erin Loges
Higher Education Advisors: Martin Clarke, Scarlette Leung
IB Coordinator: Flora Lai

Accreditation

International College of Hong Kong is an IB World School, fully accredited by the Council of International Schools. Cambridge University has designated us as one of the 100 most innovative schools worldwide.

We are a member of the Mastery Transcript Consortium and awarded our first Mastery Transcripts at the end of the 2019-20 academic year.

School and Community

We are a community school, with a series of unique components, all of which set us apart from other international schools in Hong Kong. Small class sizes, our approach to learning, a united community of parents, staff and students and a green and spacious environment, combine to provide a strong, supportive learning culture where students thrive.  ICHK serves approximately 450 students, 175 of whom are in Years 10–13 (Grades 9 - 12) from 15 nationalities.

Our curriculum matches our vision - to provide an innovative and creative education that inspires each and every student to achieve their full potential. Everything we do, both inside and outside the classroom, is linked to achieving this goal. We want to develop students who are curious, will ask questions and who have a passion for learning which will last a lifetime. Inquiry based learning is at the core of our teaching,  together with a commitment to delivering a curriculum that is responsive to the real world, authentic and compelling. Students gain internationally recognised academic qualifications and develop the essential life skills of communication, leadership, growth mindedness and problem solving.

Our approach incorporates pioneering courses including Human Technologies, Big History, Free Learning Program, Deep Learning, Enrichment and Flow, and Digital Creativity & Visual Thinking, which have been specially designed in-house to help students discover and develop vital skills for learning. They form part of a comprehensive academic programme which references the UK National Curriculum and delivers GCSE, IGCSE and the IB Diploma.

ICHK is an independent school, approved by the Hong Kong Education Department.

Faculty

ICHK attracts and retains an outstanding faculty, around three quarters of whom hold advanced degrees.  Our teachers are fundamental to our vision, as they have the greatest impact on our students’ learning. The best teachers are attracted to a school for the same reasons as parents and students – they like small class sizes as it helps them to ensure that every student can realise their potential, they enjoy teaching a curriculum that is relevant and stimulating as it leads to commitment and engagement, and they value being part of a learning community in which everyone embraces the notion that we are all ‘work in progress’ and have something to learn.  At ICHK there is a high degree of interaction between teacher and student, with a faculty-student ratio of 1:15., as between student and student, which is key to our learning philosophy: Inspirational learning is built on great relationships.

Deep Learning and Deep Learning Plus Week

A wealth of amazing experiences is available to students during our annual Deep Learning Plus week.  This week-long event is tailored to individual year groups and focuses on community service, outdoor pursuits, teamwork, work experience and language skills.

In addition, Deep Learning Days take place throughout the year when lower school students are taken off timetable for three days at a time to experience a variety of activities from Cantonese Opera to Kendo, along with an array of outdoor activities.

The programme allows our students to develop as leaders, learn about different cultures, experience the stunning natural landscape of Hong Kong and Southern China, carry out internships and develop their language and communication skills. It is a vital part of the curriculum, and helps students to challenge themselves, to bond with their teachers and classmates, and to develop in ways which simply could not be duplicated within the classroom. The school currently has three full time Outdoor Education specialists.

Mission

Our mission is to educate all our students, unlock their potential and offer an experience that best prepares them for life beyond school.

Vision

Learning together, thoughtfully.

IGCSE

Years 10 & 11 (Grades 9 & 10) 

In Year 10 and 11 the programme of study leads to GCSE and IGCSE qualifications.

All students take the core subjects of English, Mathematics, Science, Second Language, Human Technologies (PSHE) and PE. Students also select three options from subjects including Art, Drama, Media Studies, Environmental Management, Economics, History, Expressive Arts, Global Perspectives and Enrichment & Flow.

Human Technologies and Enrichment & Flow are courses of our own design. Human Technologies introduces students to a perspective on human intelligence, relationships and actions that seek to make more sense of the curriculum, the process of schooling and their lives in general. It helps students discover and develop skills for learning including self-management, collaboration, leadership, critical thinking, inquiry and ICT skills, whilst practicing self-reflection and self-awareness.  Enrichment & Flow offers students the opportunity to take more control over their own learning to find their academic passion and to learn independently.

In Years 10 and 11 we ensure progression and continuity by building on the achievements of the earlier years and by preparing students for the rigours of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) offered in Years 12 and 13.

IB Diploma

Years 12 & 13 (Grades 11 & 12) 

The IB Diploma is a natural progression of our school’s ethos and vision. ICHK is a community school, locally-rooted but globally minded. As an international school, we foster the fundamental principles of the International Baccalaureate:

• International Mindedness

• Holistic Education

• Communication

The Senior School curriculum is currently comprised of two possible pathways. There is coherency in both programmes and aspects of each are common to all students. Each pathway is part of a continuous educational opportunity for the student.

Two academic pathways are:

• a) Full International Baccalaureate Diploma

• b) Diploma Programme Courses (Certificates)                   

Both pathways:

• Meet entry requirements for a broad range of university and tertiary institutions around the world.

• Support all students in attaining their educational goals. Our admission policies are not selective and are supported by our SEN staff.

• Require a high level of English language proficiency, thus students requiring EAL support must make appropriate arrangements outside of school.

• Are comprised of courses which have external verification and grading.

• Contain a core element, as well as a wide range of examination subjects from which students may select a field of study appropriate to their ability and interests. The core is designed to ensure that the student’s education is kept within a broad context. It comprises Creativity, Action and Service (CAS), Careers Guidance, as well as Physical Education.

IB Examinations Overview

University and College Admissions and Matriculations

The following is a list of universities and colleges to which ICHK graduates have been admitted:

Covid 19 and Social Unrest in Hong Kong 

Due to Covid 19, schools in Hong Kong were closed from late January 2020 to mid May when a limited return to campus was allowed. Social distancing and other restrictions were in place and schools were again closed after the summer holidays. Schools were allowed to follow a rolling re-opening programme in the second half of September but considerable restrictions remained resulting in telescoped or curtailed days, students not being allowed to eat at school, and co-curricular activities being cancelled. A return to full normal schooling was not permitted by the Hong Kong Government until summer term 2021 and schools were closed again in January 2022.

Social unrest in Hong Kong also led to school closures in the first term of 2019 as well as considerable disruption to transport and normal daily life.

Our school has tried as far as possible to continue full IB classes on Zoom and to encourage students to continue CAS and other beyond-the-classroom activities wherever this was safe and conformed to HK Government guidelines and advice. We conducted full “mock” examinations in the brief window of partial school re-opening at the end of the last school year and we have continued to do as full a CAS programme as restrictions allow.

However, the disruption to school and family/social life caused by these two events are hard to underestimate. While we, as an institution, are extremely proud of the resilience and grit shown by our students, it is clear that they have come under a unique level of social and academic stress as a result of these two events.