St Bees Sixth Form College Hong Kong

Dine with University of Cambridge former Pro-Vice-Chancellor & Head of Engineering, Prof. David Cardwell!

We’re hosting a private and exclusive dinner for a few top secondary students passionate about engineering, physics, maths & computer science in Hong Kong. You will gain deep insight into top university applications such as Cambridge and learn how to better prepare yourself to stand out from the crowd.

In order to secure your seat, you need to answer some short questions. Spots are extremely limited—we select only the best answers.

Apply now: https://form.jotform.com/261683210722047

Date: 5th July 2026, 7:00pm
Fee: Free of charge
Location: Hong Kong (exact venue to be confirmed for selected candidates)

Organised by Cardwell Academy of Engineering, Physics & Design, part of St Bees Sixth Form College Hong Kong.

Cardwell Academy Dinner RSVP Please click the link to complete this form.

The St Bees Architectural Design: Visualising British Heritage in the Heart of Hong Kong 🇬🇧🇭🇰

For the past decade, St Bees and maison V have worked hand in hand. Decoding the rich heritage of St Bees UK and bringing its timeless spirit to a global stage. Now, in West Kowloon, that legacy is made visible.

From the Scholars’ Chamber to the library, the auditorium, the facade, school hall and the lobby, every space carries the signature and soul of St Bees UK. Our team of design architects have masterfully translated these historical cues into a contemporary visual language, allowing heritage to be not just preserved, but experienced.

The result is a new learning environment where East meets West. Located in dynamic West Kowloon, the college balances British educational tradition with the energy of modern Asia. Classical spatial language is reinterpreted through a forward-looking architectural lens, balancing openness, density, functionality, and identity. Each zone, whether for learning, gathering, or circulation, is designed to spark creativity, interaction, and intellectual exchange. This is not a replica of a traditional school, but a fresh educational atmosphere where Eastern and Western influences coexist in built form.

Faculty Arrangement

🧮 Mathematics & Computer Science
🧬 Life Science
🚀 Cardwell Academy of Engineering, Physics & Design
🏦 Economics & Finance
📜 Humanities & Law

University admissions are more competitive than ever. Top grades alone no longer guarantee entry to prestigious universities. Students now need diverse experiences and a strong portfolio in their chosen field.

This shift requires targeted preparation years in advance, pressuring learners to accelerate core subject progress to fit external assessments and co-curricular activities.

In response, St Bees Hong Kong has introduced a dedicated faculty-based academic structure. It helps students focus on the key subjects and skills for admission to elite universities, with each faculty offering specialised expertise to help students excel.

The design also enables independent entry assessment and differentiated timetabling by faculty, allowing tailored support for individual strengths and varied learning levels.

🏛️ A Facade of Academic Aspiration and Timeless Excellence

Drawing direct inspiration from the grand civic architecture of Ancient Rome, this building’s facade embodies the scholarship, order, and ambition that define our sixth form college.

Anchored by stately Ionic columns and classical symmetry, it reflects the focus and discipline of sixth form study. Light floods through arched and multi-paned windows, creating bright, purposeful spaces for learning, just as Roman halls were designed to inspire intellectual growth.

Crafted from light, creamy stone and softened by manicured greenery, the facade evokes permanence and excellence, mirroring the lifelong foundations students build here. This blend of timeless Roman grandeur and modern purpose inspires our students to shape their own futures as they prepare for university, careers, and life beyond the classroom.

📍Perfectly Located in the Heart of West Kowloon

Nestled within the peaceful enclave of Coronation Circle, our school offers the best of both worlds: the vibrant energy of the city, just a stone’s throw away, yet tucked into a serene, green environment. Located in the thriving West Kowloon district, we are only an 8-minute walk from the West Kowloon High Speed Railway Station and the Element shopping centre — providing unparalleled connectivity to Hong Kong and beyond.

Yet, despite this central access, our campus remains a calm oasis, surrounded by lush parks and greenery. It’s a rare urban sanctuary where students can focus, explore, and grow, away from the crowds but always at the centre of it all.

School House

Bega
An Irish princess who gave her name to the village of St Bees, St Bega was a brave, adventurous and curious young woman. With courage and respect, she signifies strength and empowerment – a perfect testament to the Bega House. The colour blue on the Bega House crest signifies St Bega’s voyage from Ireland by sea.

Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth I, hailed as one of the greatest monarchs of all time, signed the “Letters Patent” that meant St Bees could be established as a school. She awarded Grindal the Archbishop of Canterbury position in 1575. The Queen was an intelligent, loyal and witty leader – characteristics encouraged in all St Bees students. The red colour of Elizabeth House represents the Tudor Rose, the symbol associated with Queen Elizabeth’s rule.

Foundation
Foundation is the name of the main, and original, school building. The heart of the school and the hub of teaching life. Foundaton building was built between 1587 – 1588, benefiting from extensive expansion with new floors in the 1800s. Gold represents the bricks, the mortar and the solid sandstone walls, embodying the notions of hard work, resilience and strength.

Grindal
Son of a local farmer, Edmund Grindal, Archbishop of Canterbury, is founder of the school and a native to the village. In 1583, although ill and blind, Grindal persevered to ensure the school was opened. An ambitious, confident man with perseverance and resolve, he stood for everything we honour at St Bees – his legacy still very much ringing true. The green perfectly embodies the greenery of the Cumbrian landscape, the 250 acres of the school and the glory of the English countryside.

BEES Values

⚖️ Balance is the harmony that holds opposing forces together, guiding students toward a well-rounded life by nurturing both intellect and emotion, action and rest. It extends to everyday choices, reminding us that every decision has a consequence, and builds good character through moderation — avoiding excess in study, play, or emotion. Ultimately, balance is not a static state but a dynamic practice, essential for thriving in school and in life.

👥 Empathy is the ability to see, think, and feel from another person’s point of view, from understanding what an assessor wants in an exam to living in harmony with the world around us. It opens our soul to receive when learning a language or culture, and extends to business, debate, sports, art, and more. Empathy is the fundamental skill of focusing on what others need, whether individually, within a family, community, or from a global perspective.

🤝 Esprit de corps means a sense of unity, loyalty, and shared purpose among members of a group, reflecting the belief that synergy makes a team stronger. The history of St Bees, including the sacrifice of students who died in WWII, teaches the power of giving beyond oneself. As a school today, we learn the same spirit of sharing, working as a group, and selflessness.

🎁 Service means contributing to society, helping others, choosing to give rather than to take — it begins with small, everyday acts like holding a door or listening to a friend in need, then grows into a lifelong habit of asking “What can I offer?” rather than “What can I get?” When students later become professionals or leaders, they carry this value forward, turning achievement into legacy by lifting others.

Ingredere ut Proficias:
A Legacy of Progress🏛️

When St Bees School was founded in 1583, its Latin motto — Ingredere ut Proficias, “Enter so that you may make progress” — was a humble but powerful✨.

The sandstone entrance door with the carved motto “Ingredere ut Proficias” is part of the original late 16th-century fabric of the school. Historic England records confirm that the north range of the school was built in the 16th century (1587), with the buildings around the main quadrangle being Grade II listed structures that include this original entrance📜. This is the oldest part of the school, known as “Foundation”.

Over the centuries, that idea has proven to be more than a living principle for our students, but also one that has guided the school through profound transformations.

As the school now extends from the West to the East with campuses across two continents, we seek to expand the meaning of our motto even further.

登堂致遠 — drawing from the classical wisdom of Zhuge Liang’s Jie Zi Shu 諸葛亮《戒子書》🎓(Commandments to My Son) — which speaks to the cultivation of character and the pursuit of lofty ideals — and from The Analects (Advanced) 《論語·先進篇》where Confucius 孔子 describes the gradual ascent toward mastery. 登堂 (enter the hall) represents the threshold of disciplined learning, while 致遠 (reach far) embodies the journey toward far-reaching vision🔭 and enduring impact.

“Enter the Hall and to Reach Far” — together, they elevate the meaning of progress to a deeper level — one that calls students not only to enter and advance, but to aspire toward wisdom, purpose, and the capacity to shape a global future🌐.