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Forest House Waldorf School

Hong Kong

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees HK$147,500 - 154,500
Ages 6 - 18 years
Type Co-educational
Bus Service No
Availability Not shared by this school
Academic offering
Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, Waldorf Steiner Curriculum
Taught languages English, Mandarin, Cantonese
Strengths Visual and Creative Arts, Outdoor Education, Languages
Clubs Community and Service, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

Forest House Waldorf School offers a unique, nature-based primary education in the serene setting of Sai Kung, Hong Kong. As the city’s first government-registered Waldorf school, it provides a distinct alternative to mainstream education by following the Waldorf Steiner Curriculum. The school emphasizes a holistic approach where academic learning is integrated with artistic and practical activities, ensuring children develop intellectually, emotionally, and physically.

200 Hang Hau Village, Hang Hau, Tseung Kwan O, Hong Kong

The Essentials

Forest House Waldorf School has instruction in English.

Location
Forest House Waldorf School is located in the New Territories of Hong Kong, with two campuses. The Primary School Campus is Commercial Area, Floral Villas, No. 18 Tso Wo Road, Sai Kung; the Secondary School Campus is No. 200 Hang Hau Village, Tseung Kwan O. The Sai Kung campus is described as a quiet corner overlooking the coastline near Sai Kung Country Park, and the school is reasonably accessible from Sai Kung town by car or taxi.

Stages
The school runs a Primary School program (Class 1–6) in a six‑year primary cycle with a class teacher model. A secondary program has been introduced, with a secondary campus in Tseung Kwan O; Forest House was licensed to operate a secondary school in 2024 and plans to offer higher grades up to Grade 12.

Type
Forest House operates as a private, co‑educational day school.

Additional learning support
Forest House presents an inclusive education approach. Each class has a class teacher with subject teachers for other lessons, and the Waldorf framework supports students with diverse learning needs within this structure. There is no dedicated SEN department published.

Country affiliation
The school is based in Hong Kong and is listed by Steiner Education Australia as a FHWS school, reflecting an affiliation with the Australian Steiner education network. The school has also announced expansion to a secondary program up to Grade 12.

Religious affiliation
There is no religious affiliation published for the school; it states an inclusive, non‑denominational stance.

School day structure
The school day runs from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and ends at 1:00 pm on Thursdays. Lunch/break times are not published in the available official materials.

Bus service
A school bus service is listed in third‑party sources; the school does not publish specific bus provider details on its site. Public directions from Sai Kung Pier indicate transport options via Bus 94 or a mini‑bus (Route 7) to Ah Kung Wan, with taxi as an alternative.
Diving Deeper

Governance and Ownership
The school is a non-profit organization. The School Management Committee (SMC) governs Forest House Waldorf School; the sponsoring body FHISL nominates four trustee members to the SMC, and the Principal serves as an ex officio SMC member. The SMC includes two teacher representatives, one parent association representative (and an alternate), and one independent member.
Fees

Annual tuition at Forest House Waldorf School ranges from HKD 147,500 to HKD 154,500 for 2026/27.

Application fees

- Application fee: HK$2,000. This fee is collected through the school's eAdmission system and is non‑refundable and non‑transferable.

Tuition fees (by year group)

- Grade 1–6: Annual tuition HK$147,500.
- Grade 7–8: Annual tuition HK$154,500.

Billing schedule and payment terms

- Annual tuition is billed in 10 instalments. Specific instalment due dates, late‑payment penalties, and other detailed billing terms are not published in the school's publicly available fee pages. Parents are expected to follow the school's billing notices and invoice schedule.

Boarding fees

- Boarding is not applicable. The school operates day campuses (primary campus and a separate secondary campus are listed), and no boarding provision or boarding fees are published.

Other costs and optional fees

- Camps, field trips and certain extra‑curricular experiences may incur additional charges depending on participation.
- Family sibling fee reductions are available; specific sibling discount rates are not published.
- No fixed amounts for uniforms, school bus, meals or routine consumables are published alongside the tuition information. Costs for supplies, uniforms or activity‑specific items may be charged separately where applicable.

Refund information

- The application fee is explicitly non‑refundable and non‑transferable. No separate, detailed public statement of a comprehensive tuition‑refund or withdrawal refund schedule is published on the school's public fee pages. For withdrawal, refund or proration rules, follow the school's formal enrollment or acceptance communications.

Fee payment options

- The school's public fee pages do not list detailed tuition payment methods (for example: credit card, bank transfer, direct debit). Contact details for the school office are provided for payment and billing enquiries. The school accepts donations by direct deposit, cheque, cash and other methods for gifts; donation payment options are described separately from tuition information.
Academics

Forest House Waldorf School teaches Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels, Waldorf Steiner Curriculum for students aged 6 to 18.

Curriculum
Forest House Waldorf School follows Rudolf Steiner–inspired Waldorf education, with a developmentally appropriate curriculum that currently covers primary and is expanding to a secondary program. In the Primary phase (grades 1–6), learning is organized around two-hour main lessons taught by a class teacher who remains with the same group for several years; after each main lesson period, subjects such as English, mathematics, science, geography, and history are taught in shorter lessons, alongside Chinese, music, painting, and Eurythmy. Main lessons are complemented by hands-on activities (beeswax modeling, woodwork, clay work, handwork, and gardening) and by festivals and cultural events, with students producing their own illustrated main-lesson books rather than relying on textbooks. The school is actively expanding its high school program and plans a Grade 10 IGCSE pathway, with grades 7–9 currently in operation and formal IGCSE preparation linked to Grade 10; the secondary licence was granted in 2024 and a secondary campus relocated to Tseung Kwan O. Tuition for 2025–26 indicates ongoing operation of Grades 1–6 and 7–8, reflecting a multi-year program; FHWS is recognized within Waldorf networks (e.g., International Forum for Waldorf/Steiner Education) and is associated with Steiner Education Australia.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Forest House supports Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) through a guardian-teacher system that guides students' academic, social, and emotional development. The Waldorf approach at Forest House emphasizes empathetic, warm teacher–student relationships as a core part of everyday learning. Storytelling and arts-based activities are used to develop empathy, emotional expression, and perspective-taking. Year-end reports are produced by the class and subject teachers and include observations of each student's growth, including social and emotional development. The school states an inclusive education approach intended to support the holistic physical, emotional and spiritual development of children, which underpins SEL in practice.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Forest House states that it provides inclusive education available to all learners. The site does not indicate that it is a specialist SEN institution, nor does it publicly disclose the specific kinds of Special Educational Needs (SEN) the school can support. Remedial work is listed as part of school offerings in materials about giving to the school. The school's inclusive ethos suggests a willingness to work with diverse learners, but explicit SEN provision details are not published by the school.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding EAL provision. The site shows staff with English-language teaching roles, including a Guardian English Teacher, and Mandarin/Chinese language specialists, indicating language expertise within the staff. The Primary School page lists English as a core subject among others, suggesting English instruction is part of the curriculum. No explicit EAL programme details are published.

Mental Wellbeing
The guardian-teacher framework supports students' mental wellbeing by guiding their social and emotional development (guardian teacher role). The Waldorf pedagogy emphasizes empathy and warm teacher–student relationships as part of the school culture (emotional warmth and empathy are highlighted in school materials). Year-end narrative reports document social-emotional growth and personal development observed by teachers. The inclusive education approach and community focus contribute to students' sense of belonging and wellbeing. Participation in festivals and collaborative activities promotes social connectedness and wellbeing (e.g., Olympic Spirit events).

Safeguarding
The school does not publicly disclose information regarding safeguarding or child-protection policies. The site includes an Anti-Discrimination Policy outlining students' rights and protections, reflecting safeguarding-of-students' rights. Governance and safeguarding governance are connected through the School Management Committee, which oversees policy and safety matters. Context on safeguarding in Waldorf education emphasizes staff training and designated safeguarding leads as standard practice.
Parent Experience

History
Forest House International School Limited (FHISL) was formed in September 2011 when three founding families united to establish what would become Hong Kong's first government-registered Waldorf primary school. FHISL was created as a charitable organisation to promote Waldorf education in Hong Kong and was registered under section 88 of the Inland Revenue Ordinance in April 2012. Forest House Waldorf School (FHWS) is the sponsoring body of FHISL. The school received its permanent school licence in July 2016, marking formal recognition by the Education Bureau. Trustees envision an inclusive Waldorf education that develops inquisitive, creative, compassionate, independent and responsible individuals who contribute positively to the community, and the approach seeks to support the physical, mental and spiritual health of students.

Community
Forest House is a non-profit organisation that offers inclusive education to all who seek it, regardless of religion, political background or culture, and it emphasizes a holistic approach to physical, emotional and spiritual development. The school aims to build a community of teachers, parents and friends who support its activities and share Waldorf values. The school community participates in traditional Waldorf events such as the Rose Ceremony and seasonal festivals, as well as school performances and family craft workshops. Forest House seeks ongoing collaboration with families to enrich learning and support the needs of students.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Forest House Waldorf School Parent Teacher Association (FHWS PTA) connects parents and teachers and helps build a strong Waldorf community. The PTA emphasises collaboration between families and teachers and runs the Parental Educational Programme to strengthen home–school partnerships. It organizes informative workshops, seminars, and lectures on Waldorf education, child development and parenting topics to support parents. The PTA coordinates events and activities for the wider community, including participation in seasonal festivals and school performances, and it runs craft workshops for families. PTA committees include roles such as a Chairperson and a Parent Representative of the School Management Committee, with specific members listed in the committee section. Volunteering and inquiries are directed via the PTA's contact email.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Forest House Waldorf School operates on two campuses: the Primary School Campus in Floral Villas, No 18 Tso Wo Road, Sai Kung, and the Secondary School Campus at No. 200 Hang Hau Village, Tseung Kwan O, both in the New Territories of Hong Kong. The campus is located in a quiet corner of Sai Kung and overlooks the coastline and beaches. The natural environment plays a central role in Waldorf education at Forest House, with learning conducted in nature and through materials drawn from the natural world. The Primary curriculum includes hands-on activities such as beeswax modelling, woodwork, clay work, handwork and gardening. Outdoor education and gardening are integrated into school life, with activities such as cubby building, nature crafts, and gardening.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Forest House Waldorf School is a non-profit organisation that offers inclusive Waldorf education in Hong Kong. The mission is to teach traditional subjects through a curriculum appropriate to different stages of development and learning styles, in accordance with Rudolf Steiner. Auditory and visual arts are widely used, and the school aims to nurture inquisitive, creative, compassionate, independent and responsible individuals.

Arts & Creative
The curriculum uses the arts as educational media to stimulate feelings and understanding. Subjects such as music, drawing, painting, handwork, and eurythmy are incorporated into daily learning; festivals and cultural events integrate artistic expression throughout the year.

Cultural & Language
Language arts are taught in English and Chinese; the program includes English & grammar as well as Chinese language instruction, with a focus on reading, writing, speaking, and cultural studies. Festivals and cultural events are part of school life.

Social & Hobbies
Class governance emphasizes close teacher–student relationships, with a class teacher ideally staying with a group through the six-year primary cycle. Students participate in assemblies, community gatherings, and class plays, supporting social development and collaboration.

Community & Service
The school emphasizes community involvement and parental participation as part of the Waldorf community, including festivals, outings, and parent activities as part of the school life.

Leadership & Professional
The same class teacher guides the class over multiple years, fostering a continuous and coordinated approach to each child's development, alongside collaboration with parents and the broader school community.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The program prioritizes developmentally appropriate growth, nature-based learning, and physical, emotional, and intellectual balance, with outdoor activities, garden work, and movement shaping daily life.
Languages

Language Provision
English is the language of instruction for Language Arts and other core subjects in the primary program (Language Arts English & Grammar). Chinese (Mandarin) is taught as a dedicated language subject across primary grades, with activities such as songs, poems, and writing characters. In the upper school, Mandarin instruction continues with a Mandarin Teacher and an Upper School Specialist Chinese Teacher.
Reputation

Accreditations
- Permanent school licence from the Hong Kong Education Bureau (July 2016). This government licence confirms the school's legal operation as a registered school under Hong Kong education jurisdiction.

- First Waldorf school in Hong Kong duly registered with the Education Bureau. This denotes the school's pioneering status among Waldorf institutions in Hong Kong and its formal registration with the authorities.

- Recognised by the International Forum for Waldorf/Steiner Education in Switzerland. This recognition signals alignment with global Waldorf education principles and practices.

- Associate member of Steiner Education Australia. This membership indicates engagement with the Australasian Steiner/Waldorf network and access to a regional community of Waldorf educators.
Admissions

Admissions
Step 1: Prepare and submit the online application. Parents gather the documentation listed for submission: a recent photograph of the child, the child's identity document, the latest school report, and any psychological education assessment reports. The online application form is completed in Forest House's eAdmission System. The school does not require entrance exams, portfolios, or video recordings as part of the admissions process. An application fee of HK$2,000 is collected through the eAdmission System to process the application and schedule the interview; the fee is non-refundable and non-transferable.

Scholarships
Forest House Waldorf School does not publish a school-specific scholarship program. A tuition assistance programme is referenced in the anti-discrimination policy as part of admissions policies, but no eligibility criteria, application process, or award details are published.
School Events
The school has not added events
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