ESF Bradbury School is one of the most in demand primary schools run by the English Schools Foundation in Hong Kong. Founded in 1975 and located on Stubbs Road above Happy Valley, it teaches the IB Primary Years Programme to children aged roughly 5 to 11. Its hillside Island campus and its reputation among Mid Levels families make it one of the harder ESF places to secure, and like the foundation's other primaries it feeds straight into an ESF secondary school.
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At a glance
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | IB Primary Years Programme, taught through a programme of inquiry, English medium with Chinese |
| Stage range | Primary, ages roughly 5 to 11 (Years 1 to 6) |
| Founded | 1975 |
| Accreditation | Authorised IB World School for the Primary Years Programme; part of the English Schools Foundation |
| Fee band | ESF standard primary fee, mid band for Hong Kong |
| Campus area | Stubbs Road, above Happy Valley on Hong Kong Island |
Curriculum and academics
Bradbury is an authorised IB World School delivering the IB Primary Years Programme. The hallmark of the programme is that learning is organised around a programme of inquiry, so English, mathematics, science, social studies and the arts are explored through connected units rather than taught in isolation. Children are encouraged to ask questions, investigate and take ownership of their learning, with English as the language of instruction and Chinese taught alongside.
As part of the ESF network, Bradbury shares a common approach with the foundation's other primaries and prepares pupils for the IB Middle Years Programme and then the Diploma or an applied pathway at secondary level. Parents weighing the IB against British and American routes can see how the continuum fits together in our IB curriculum guide.
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ESF Bradbury School fees
Bradbury charges the standard ESF primary fee rather than a campus specific rate, so its tuition matches the foundation's other primary schools. For the 2025/26 year that primary fee is around HK$139,000, following an average rise of about 4.8 per cent approved across the foundation. Any single figure is indicative, so confirm the current schedule with the school, as increases are subject to approval each year.
On top of tuition, ESF families pay a one off non refundable capital levy, and the foundation offers nomination right certificates and corporate debentures that bring priority in admissions. Against the city's most premium private internationals the ESF primary fee is comparatively accessible, which helps explain the long waiting lists. Our Hong Kong international school fees guide places ESF within the wider market and breaks down the levies and extras to budget for.
Admissions
Bradbury admits within a catchment that includes Stubbs Road and Mount Nicholson, so confirming that your address falls inside the zone is the essential first check. The school is academically non selective, but children must show enough English to access an English medium curriculum. Overseas passport holders are given priority over local passport holders, and families holding nomination rights or debentures receive priority too.
The academic year starts in August with the main intake into Year 1. Given how popular and catchment bound the school is, early registration is important, and mid year vacancies tend to appear only when families move away. Register interest, confirm catchment eligibility and arrange a visit as your first steps.
Location and who goes there
The school occupies a hillside site on Stubbs Road, above Happy Valley and Wan Chai on Hong Kong Island, within the Mid Levels belt that concentrates many of the city's international families. Proximity is everything here given the catchment, so households tend to live within the surrounding Mid Levels and Happy Valley streets, mixing established expatriate families with returning Hong Kong households.
The community is genuinely international, reflecting the British, Australian, Canadian, American and local families who settle on the Island side. To weigh Bradbury against the other primary options nearby, including fees and neighbourhoods, start with the Hong Kong city hub and our roundup of the best primary international schools in Hong Kong.
ESF Bradbury School reviews
We do not yet hold verified parent reviews for ESF Bradbury School. GlobalSchoolGuide is independent and no school pays to be listed, so we publish a rating only once we can confirm reviews come from real families. We would rather show nothing than show an invented score.
If your child attends or has attended the school, we would value your first hand account of the teaching, communication and value for money. Share it through our school reviews hub and help the next relocating family decide with better information.
Frequently asked questions
How much are ESF Bradbury School fees?
Bradbury charges the standard ESF primary fee, which is around HK$139,000 for the 2025/26 year after an average rise of about 4.8 per cent across the foundation. Families also pay a one off non refundable capital levy. Confirm the current schedule with the school.
What curriculum does ESF Bradbury School follow?
Bradbury is an authorised IB World School delivering the IB Primary Years Programme, with English, maths, science, social studies and the arts taught within a programme of inquiry rather than as separate subjects.
What ages does ESF Bradbury School take?
Bradbury is a primary school for children aged roughly 5 to 11, covering Years 1 to 6 before pupils continue to an ESF secondary school.
How do admissions work at ESF Bradbury School?
Bradbury admits within a catchment that includes Stubbs Road and Mount Nicholson. It is academically non selective, but children need enough English to access the curriculum, and overseas passport holders and nomination or debenture holders receive priority.
Where is ESF Bradbury School located?
The school sits on Stubbs Road on the Hong Kong Island side above Happy Valley and Wan Chai, within the Mid Levels belt where many international families live.
