Clearwater Bay School

Clearwater Bay School is situated in the Clearwater Bay area of Hong Kong’s New Territories, surrounded by green hills and coastal views. The campus is easily accessible by public transport, including Bus 91M from Choi Hung MTR and several green minibus routes that stop nearby. The school does not provide on-site parking for parents or visitors.

CWBS caters to primary-aged students, offering Years 1–6 within the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). The school follows a four-form entry structure, with approximately 24 classes in total and students aged 5 to 11 years.

Clearwater Bay School is a day school under the English Schools Foundation (ESF), serving boys and girls aged 5 to 11. It does not offer boarding facilities, and all students attend classes during standard day hours.

CWBS has a Learning Diversity Team that supports students with a range of learning needs. The team includes ELSA-trained (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) staff and a school counsellor who help address academic, emotional, and social needs. Support is integrated within the classroom environment in coordination with class teachers.

The school is part of the English Schools Foundation (ESF) in Hong Kong. It has no specific national affiliation but offers an international curriculum framework under the IB Primary Years Programme.

Clearwater Bay School is a non-religious institution. The school’s ethos and curriculum are secular and inclusive.

The school day generally follows a standard primary schedule, with lessons spread across morning and afternoon sessions. While specific start and end times are not publicly listed, school term dates are detailed on the CWBS website calendar. Students have scheduled breaks and lunchtimes throughout the day to support balanced learning and recreation.

CWBS operates a comprehensive school bus service with 28 bus routes covering Clearwater Bay, Sai Kung, Tseung Kwan O, Lam Tin, and surrounding areas. Services are managed directly with contracted bus companies. Routes and contact details are available on the school’s bus webpage, and families arrange bookings and payments through the listed operators.

The school follows the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP) from Years 1–6, integrating inquiry-based learning across subjects. Students are taught primarily in English, with Chinese taught in banded groups and options for Chinese as an additional language. The programme is organised around six transdisciplinary themes, which connect learning across languages, mathematics, science, social studies, the arts and personal, social and physical education (PSPE). Specialist teachers lead classes in art, music, drama, physical education and library/media. Assessment focuses on ongoing student reflections and portfolios rather than solely on exams. The school’s PYP authorisation was granted in April 2009 and the campus completed a joint IB/CIS review process in 2018.

The school’s Personal, Social & Physical Education (PSPE) curriculum supports social and emotional learning through three strands: Identity, Interactions, and Active Living. All teachers take part in supporting student wellbeing, using approaches such as Circle Time and Restorative Practices to promote inclusion and positive relationships. Wellbeing is described as central to the student experience, encompassing emotional, social, and physical health. Students take part in two physical education sessions each week as part of the PSPE programme.

Clearwater Bay School is not a specialist SEN institution but provides support within the English Schools Foundation (ESF) framework for Learning Support. The school has a Learning Diversity Team that includes ELSA-trained Educational Assistants and a School Counsellor who work with students needing additional help. Support is aligned with ESF’s Levels of Adjustment framework, which defines the type and extent of assistance students may receive. The school does not publicly specify which specific categories of SEN (such as dyslexia or autism) it can support.

The school does not provide publicly detailed information about a dedicated English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme. The language curriculum focuses on English and Chinese language learning and mother-tongue development. There is no published information about specialist EAL teachers, dedicated withdrawal sessions, or specific support structures for EAL learners.

The school states that wellbeing is intrinsically linked to all aspects of a student’s experience, including physical, emotional, cognitive, spiritual, and social dimensions. Students are supported by a Learning Diversity Team, which includes Educational Assistants trained in Emotional Literacy Support (ELSA) and a School Counsellor. Wellbeing initiatives include positive relationship frameworks, classroom essential agreements, and restorative conversations to help students manage challenges. The school encourages open communication between students and staff to ensure individual needs are recognised and addressed.

The school identifies safeguarding and child protection as part of its core values and responsibilities. It refers to the existence of policies and procedures for maintaining a safe learning environment. However, detailed safeguarding and child protection procedures are not publicly disclosed on the school website.

1. Application Submission
Families apply through the English Schools Foundation (ESF) online admissions system, which manages applications for all ESF schools, including Clearwater Bay School (CWBS). Parents must complete the online form, upload the required documents, and pay a non-refundable application fee. Applications for Year 1 entry typically open in September of the year before admission, while applications for other year levels are accepted on a rolling basis depending on availability.

2. Assessment and Review
Applications are reviewed by ESF’s central admissions office. Depending on the year group and availability, students may be invited for an interview or assessment to confirm readiness for the year level and to support placement decisions. Priority is given to eligible children of ESF staff, students transferring from ESF kindergartens, and siblings of current students.

3. Offer of Placement
Successful applicants receive an official offer letter from ESF. To accept, families must confirm within the stated timeframe and pay a refundable deposit equal to two months of tuition fees. One month is credited to the first tuition instalment, and the remaining month is held as a withdrawal deposit.

4. Enrolment Confirmation
After the deposit and required documents are received, the student’s place is confirmed. Tuition is billed monthly via autopay, beginning in September. Orientation information is shared by the school before the student’s start date.

Clearwater Bay School does not offer any scholarships. As an ESF primary school, it follows the foundation-wide fee structure and admissions framework, which do not include financial-aid or merit-based scholarship programmes. All students pay the same tuition and associated fees, subject to ESF’s standard policies.

When year levels are full, applications remain active within the ESF central admissions pool for the relevant year. Students are placed on a waitlist and considered when a place becomes available. Waitlist position is determined by factors such as the date of application and ESF’s admissions priorities (including sibling status and ESF kindergarten pathway eligibility). The school does not operate a separate CWBS-specific waitlist; all placements are managed centrally by ESF Admissions. Families are informed directly if a vacancy arises.