Kellett School is the oldest British school in Hong Kong, founded in 1976 and run as a not for profit institution rather than a commercial group. It teaches the British curriculum from the early years to the sixth form across two sites, the original Pok Fu Lam preparatory campus on Hong Kong Island and a purpose built preparatory and senior campus in Kowloon Bay. Because it is a long standing fixture among the city's British schools, it features on our roundup of the best British schools in Hong Kong.
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At a glance
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and exam boards | English National Curriculum from EYFS, then Cambridge IGCSE in Years 10 and 11 and A Levels in the sixth form |
| Stage range | Ages 4 to 18, reception through to Year 13 |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Accreditation | British Schools Overseas inspected and rated outstanding at its most recent inspection; not for profit |
| Fee band | Premium British school; 2025/26 tuition published from about HK$208,800 to HK$267,100 |
| Campus area | Pok Fu Lam (preparatory) and Kowloon Bay (preparatory and senior) |
Curriculum and academics
Kellett follows the English National Curriculum with minor adaptations for its Hong Kong setting. Children begin in the Early Years Foundation Stage, move through primary into the lower and upper preparatory years, then sit Cambridge IGCSE examinations in Years 10 and 11 before progressing to A Levels in the sixth form. The pathway is the classic British route, which keeps the school aligned with universities in the United Kingdom while remaining recognised worldwide.
As a four form entry senior school in Kowloon Bay, Kellett can offer a broad subject menu at IGCSE and A Level alongside the pastoral and co curricular programme that British independent schools are known for. For how A Levels compare with the IB Diploma and other systems, see our British curriculum guide.
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Kellett School fees
| Stage | Annual tuition |
|---|---|
| Preparatory (Reception to Y6) | HKD 208,800 |
| Senior (Y7 to Y11) | HKD 259,600 |
| Sixth Form (Y12 to Y13) | HKD 267,100 |
Source: Kellett School (kellettschool.com). Annual tuition, billed across three terms. Every pupil also needs a debenture or annual capital levy. Fees are the most recent published figures and exclude one-off costs such as registration, deposits and capital levies. Always confirm current fees directly with the school.
Kellett sits in the premium band of Hong Kong British schools. For 2025/26 it published annual tuition of about HK$208,800 in the preparatory years, HK$259,600 across Years 7 to 11 and HK$267,100 in the sixth form. Treat those figures as indicative and confirm the current schedule with the school, since fees are reviewed each year.
Tuition is only part of the bill. As a not for profit school Kellett funds its capital projects through a refundable capital note or debenture, and families should also budget for a non refundable application fee, a place deposit and school transport. For how these line items stack up against the rest of the market, see our Hong Kong international school fees guide, which sets out where the premium British schools sit relative to the ESF schools and the most expensive internationals.
Admissions
Kellett accepts applications on a rolling basis for an August start, and as an essentially non selective not for profit school it does not run the competitive entrance examinations of some peers. That said, children usually need to be fluent enough in English to access the curriculum, and demand is high, so several year groups carry waiting lists. Parents are known to register from a child's birth for the most sought after entry points.
The most natural intake points are reception and the start of secondary, though places open across year groups as families relocate. Register interest early, confirm the current intake points and any age appropriate assessment, and arrange a campus visit as your first steps.
Location and who goes there
The split campus model shapes who chooses Kellett. The Pok Fu Lam preparatory campus serves families on the western side of Hong Kong Island, while the Kowloon Bay campus, awarded as a greenfield site and opened for seniors in 2013, draws households across east Kowloon and the wider Kowloon area. Families often choose the campus closest to home, which keeps commutes manageable in a city where travel time is a real factor in school choice.
The community is a mix of British and other English speaking expatriate families alongside Hong Kong households who want a British pathway. To weigh Kellett against the other British options across the city, including fees and where families live, start with the Hong Kong city hub and our roundup of the best British schools in Hong Kong.
Kellett School reviews
We do not yet hold verified parent reviews for Kellett 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 Kellett, 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 Kellett School fees?
Kellett published 2025/26 annual tuition of about HK$208,800 in the preparatory years, HK$259,600 in Years 7 to 11 and HK$267,100 in Years 12 to 13. As a not for profit school it also asks for a refundable capital note or debenture and a non refundable application fee, so confirm the current schedule directly with the school.
What curriculum does Kellett School follow?
Kellett follows the English National Curriculum from the Early Years Foundation Stage, leading to Cambridge IGCSE in Years 10 and 11 and A Levels in the sixth form, with minor adaptations for the Hong Kong context.
Where is Kellett School located?
Kellett runs two campuses. The Pok Fu Lam Preparatory campus on Hong Kong Island serves the early and primary years, and the Kowloon Bay campus houses a preparatory school and the purpose built senior school that opened in 2013.
Is Kellett School selective?
Kellett is essentially non selective as a not for profit school, though children usually need to be fluent in English and demand for places is high. Many families apply years ahead, so early registration matters.
When do Kellett School applications open?
Kellett accepts applications on a rolling basis for an August start, though several year groups carry waiting lists. Register interest early and confirm the current intake points and any assessment with the admissions team.
