FIS vs GSIS curriculum

Posted by laurenslutz (295 days ago)

My daughter is currently in P1 at FIS International section. We are considering to switch her to GSIS for school year starting September 2008 for personal reasons we wish not to disclose.

The issue is she was born in Nov. 2002 (she's currently one of the youngest in her class at FIS). Based on the age requirement I read on the GSIS website, it seems that she will be attending Primary School Year 1 at GSIS for school year 2008/2009. While if she stays at FIS, she would be going to Y2 (P2) then.

GSIS and FIS both follow the British curriculum but does anyone know if there is any difference in the curriculum between Y1 at GSIS and P1 at FIS? If they are the same/similar, does that mean my little girl will repeat at GSIS what she learned in P1 at FIS?

Definitely this isn't going to be a deciding factor but would be helpful if we know.

Many thanks for your input.

Lauren

(I am based in Hong Kong)

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Posted by laurenslutz (283 days ago)

Anyone have any insight?

Lauren

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by laurenslutz (202 days ago)

Can anyone help? Thank you very much.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by omaharrison (202 days ago)

I have absolutely now clue about this. sorry mine is only k1, lol. But have you tried going to the schools themsleves and ask them about this? maybe they will give you the best answer.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by laurenslutz (202 days ago)

Hi omaharrison,

I did try to call but they couldn't give me the comparison (which was reasonable, why would they?).

Where is your little one? GSIS? How do you like the school?

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by omaharrison (202 days ago)

Hi, laurenslutz,
I am really really sorry, have no clue about those schools, I just thought that they would at least tell you what is their curriculum in detail (since you will/are paying them money).
My kid is in normal chinese kindergarden, to get the language.
Hope you will find your answers soon.

(I am based in Hong Kong)

Posted by cd (202 days ago)

When I was looking at secondary schools for my child we decided on GSIS as it followed the British curriculum,(it was only them and ESF that did) so put my daughter there and my son in primary. The FIS didn't follow the British curriculum, so if they do now then its changed.
With a november birthday your child would be one of the older ones in the year group as in the UK the cut off dates are Sept to end of Aug. Most people I know reckon its better for the child to be one of the older ones in the year group rather than one of the youngest.
If they do follow the same curriculum, then I don't think it would hurt your child to repeat the year. I know a child that is currently repeating primary 1, and it was the best thing for her. I also have known of several children that have been recommended to repeat p1, so it is not an uncommon thing to do in HK. Also all the kids starting p1 are in the same boat of being the new children in school so your child would be in the same boat, and starting off fresh with everyone else.
Just as a matter of interest, we decided to take our children out of GSIS after 2 years and move them to ESF, GSIS ceratinly has an excellent reputation, but did not work for our kids.

(I am based in Hong Kong)