About Us

ESF upholds every child’s right to learn and live in conditions that protect them from harm . 

At ESF we prioritise Safeguarding and Child Protection. Through our actions, we promote the optimum development of our students' intellectual, physical, emotional, and social wellbeing. Wherever possible, we aim to prevent harm through our safeguarding actions, and if harm has occurred, we respond through our child protection procedures.

All ESF staff are trained in preventative and protective measures, with each school having at least two dedicated Child Protection Officers on site to lead on this critical aspect of student life.

Our policy and procedures are based on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, Hong Kong law, and additional guidance from international sources such as Keeping Children Safe, and the International Task Force on Child Protection.

Our policy is built on four core tenets:

• We respond: All our actions are proactive and responsive, guided by strong policy to ensure we do all we can to safeguard and protect our students.
• We support: We work in hope, towards a future without child maltreatment, in close collaboration with our students and their families. We understand the specific context they live in, and support them in a culturally sensitive manner.
• We connect: We engage and partner with local and international support services, with our communities, and with each other through the ESF Child Protection Officers Network.
• We develop: The field of Child Protection is always in motion; we constantly strive to improve our approach. We refine and review our actions, with the aim to constantly better ourselves.

By enrolling their children at ESF, parents agree to work in partnership with us and abide by the ESF Safeguarding and Child Protection policy and procedures.

Download ESF Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy

Download ESF Parent Brochure on Safeguarding and Child Protection

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the centre of who we are at ESF.

We are a community of over 18,000 students and staff from over 70 nationalities and cultures, with a history stretching over 50 years. We recognise the importance of creating an environment where everyone is treated equally, with dignity and respect, and appreciated for who they are.

This is integral to our vision, mission, and values as a leading international school organisation, committed to developing and inspiring every student to be the best.

Each school within ESF shares a vision to create a welcoming learning and working environment, including online, where everyone is valued and supported so that every person in our community can thrive. This is a key driver of our excellence and empowers our students and staff to reach their fullest potential.

We know our critical role in shaping the future generation of global citizens. We are committed to constantly assessing and challenging our diversity, equity, and inclusion practices to ensure we do our best for our students, staff, parents, and the wider community.

Our commitments:

1. To provide students with an equal opportunity to access education and the support they require to enable them to flourish and be the best.
2. To embrace diversity and celebrate the uniqueness of each student through our personalised learning approach in all ESF kindergartens, primary, secondary, and all-through schools.
3. To educate students and staff on the importance and impact of positive diversity, equity, and inclusion policies, practices, and behaviours through normalising speaking up, identifying learning opportunities, and holding regular training, awareness events, and campaigns.
4. To promote equitable practices in all of our operations and be fair in all aspects of recruitment and employment.
5. Not to tolerate discrimination or harassment of any kind, including online, against any student or member of staff such as about gender, pregnancy, breastfeeding, adoption, marital status, age, family status, belief, race, disability, or sexuality.
6. To constantly work on improving our focus and accountability about diversity, equity, and inclusion; to have personal responsibility and commitment to learning and growth in these areas; to provide regular training and professional development opportunities across all levels of the organisation; to be transparent about our efforts and our progress in reaching our goals; and to highlight and challenge our unconscious biases and be open to ideas for change and improvement.