Discovery Bay International School - Sixth Form Campus

The Discovery Bay International School Sixth Form Campus is located at Discovery Bay North Plaza on Lantau Island, Hong Kong. Discovery Bay is a residential community around 25 minutes by ferry from Central, with convenient bus and ferry connections to Hong Kong Island and Tung Chung. The area is calm and family-oriented, with restricted private vehicle access and well-organised local transport.

The Sixth Form Campus serves students in Years 12 and 13 who are typically aged 16 to 18. These years represent the final stage of education at DBIS, where students pursue A Level and BTEC qualifications as part of the school’s British curriculum pathway.

The Sixth Form Campus is part of DBIS, a co-educational international day school. The school does not provide boarding, and all students attend on a day-school basis. The campus maintains small classes and close links with the main Secondary site for specialist lessons.

DBIS provides additional help through its Learning Enhancement and EAL departments. Students who require support for Special Educational Needs (SEN) receive targeted assistance in class and through specialist staff, while those learning English as an additional language are supported via small-group and in-class teaching.

DBIS follows the British National Curriculum and offers A Level and BTEC qualifications in Sixth Form. It does not hold any national affiliation beyond its UK curriculum framework.

The school is non-religious and has no religious affiliation.

The school day for Sixth Form students typically begins at around 8:20 a.m. and ends at 3:20 p.m. Students attend classes, tutorials, and supervised study sessions throughout the day. Inter-campus transport allows Sixth Formers to move between the Sixth Form and Secondary sites when required for subject lessons.

DBIS provides a comprehensive school bus service operated by a contracted provider. Routes connect Discovery Bay with Tung Chung and South Lantau, and an inter-campus shuttle runs during the school day for students attending lessons at both the Secondary and Sixth Form campuses. Bus timetables and routes are published on the school’s website and the DBIS Hub for parents.

The Sixth Form at Discovery Bay International School follows the British curriculum, offering students in Years 12 and 13 the opportunity to pursue A Level and BTEC qualifications. These programmes allow students to specialise in subjects that align with their university and career aspirations, combining academic and applied learning options. A Levels are delivered through the Pearson Edexcel and Cambridge International examination boards, while BTEC courses provide a vocational alternative focused on practical and project-based assessment. Sixth Form students also participate in personal development, leadership, and community service initiatives, designed to prepare them for higher education and life beyond school. Lessons are taught in English, and students may access specialist facilities on the main Secondary campus, including laboratories, design technology suites, and performance spaces.

Discovery Bay International School integrates social and emotional development into its pastoral care system, which extends to the Sixth Form. Each year group is supported by a Head and Assistant Head of Sixth Form, alongside form tutors who monitor student wellbeing and progress. The school’s FRIENDS Programme and wellbeing curriculum promote self-awareness, emotional regulation, and positive relationships throughout the school community. Regular assemblies, advisory sessions, and pastoral initiatives encourage students to reflect on personal growth and teamwork. DBIS also promotes community involvement through service projects such as ImpactHK, supporting empathy and social responsibility among senior students.

DBIS provides learning support through its Learning Enhancement Department, which includes qualified SEN specialists and education assistants. The school identifies students requiring additional help early and collaborates with families to develop appropriate strategies and accommodations. Support may include in-class assistance, targeted interventions, or coordination with external professionals such as speech and language therapists and occupational therapists. DBIS states that it can cater to a wide range of mild to moderate learning needs, but is not a specialist SEN institution. The school’s approach emphasises inclusion within mainstream classrooms wherever possible.

DBIS offers structured support for students learning English as an additional language. The EAL team provides in-class assistance, small-group teaching, and targeted writing sessions to strengthen speaking, listening, reading, and writing skills. In Secondary and Sixth Form, EAL support is available, particularly in English and Humanities subjects. The school outlines a progression model for language development, focusing on fluency and academic vocabulary to help students access the full curriculum. The provision is delivered by trained EAL teachers and reviewed regularly based on student progress.

The school promotes mental well-being through its pastoral and counselling services. DBIS employs a school counsellor and designates wellbeing leads within the teaching staff. Sixth Form students benefit from personalised pastoral check-ins, tutor support, and participation in wellbeing activities integrated into the timetable. The school publishes articles and resources on wellbeing through its online Hub, highlighting themes such as stress management and positive mental health. Students are encouraged to seek help and discuss concerns confidentially with staff members or counsellors.

DBIS maintains a comprehensive Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy available on its website and internal Hub. The school designates a Child Protection Officer and Deputy Safeguarding Leads responsible for ensuring that all safeguarding procedures are followed. All staff receive annual safeguarding training and are required to report any concerns in line with established protocols. The policy outlines clear procedures for handling disclosures, maintaining confidentiality, and liaising with external agencies when necessary. DBIS emphasises that student safety and wellbeing are central to all aspects of school life.

1. Application Submission
Families begin the process by completing the online application form through the Discovery Bay International School website. A non-refundable application fee must be paid at the time of submission. Applicants are required to upload key documents, including recent school reports, a passport copy, and a student photo. For Sixth Form entry (Years 12–13), applicants should indicate their subject choices and provide predicted examination results or equivalent academic evidence.

2. Application Review and Acknowledgment
Once the application and payment are received, the Admissions Office acknowledges receipt and reviews the documentation. Applicants are placed in the waiting list system while the school assesses availability in the relevant year group. The Admissions team may contact families for clarification or to confirm additional supporting documents.

3. Assessment and Interview
Eligible applicants are invited to attend an academic assessment and an interview. For Sixth Form entry, students must demonstrate that they meet the entry requirements for A Level or BTEC study, including appropriate grades in IGCSE or equivalent examinations. Interviews may be conducted in person or online, depending on the applicant’s location.

4. Offer of Place
If the assessment and interview are successful and a place is available, the school issues an official offer letter. Parents must then complete an acceptance form and submit a deposit equivalent to two months’ tuition fees. This amount is credited toward the first two months of tuition. Offers are contingent upon the student holding a valid Hong Kong visa allowing study in Hong Kong.

5. Enrolment and Orientation
Once accepted, families receive an enrolment pack containing start dates, uniform information, and transport details. The school hosts an orientation programme before term begins, during which Sixth Form students meet their tutors, subject teachers, and peers. Orientation also includes guidance on academic expectations and the use of the school’s Hub portal for communication and resources.

The school does not publicly advertise or offer scholarships for Sixth Form students. No merit-based, academic, or financial scholarships are mentioned on the Discovery Bay International School website or in official admissions documents. All Sixth Form places are offered on a fee-paying basis, subject to space availability and academic eligibility.

Discovery Bay International School maintains a waiting list when year groups are at capacity. All applications, once processed and the application fee paid, are automatically added to this list. Priority is determined by several factors, including sibling status, returning families, and date of application fee payment. The school also notes that Premium School Development Levy (PSDL) holders and certain discretionary cases approved by the Principal may be given priority consideration. Applicants on the waitlist are contacted as soon as a suitable place becomes available. There is no rotating pool system in place.