Anchors Academy Expands with Junior Secondary Division and Co-Establishes Senior Secondary School with St Bees School UK

HONG KONG, March 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Anchors Academy, one of Hong Kong's premier private Kindergarten and Primary schools, proudly announces a major expansion of its educational offering with the extension to Junior Secondary for Years 7 to 9* (subject to Education Bureau registration and approval). The school also formed a strategic partnership with the UK's historic St Bees School to co-establish St Bees (Anchors) Sixth Form College* in Hong Kong. These pivotal developments formally complete a K-12, 15-year seamless educational pathway for children aged 2 to 18, enabling students to progress from kindergarten through to Primary and Secondary graduation within one coherent educational ecosystem.

Future-focused Junior Secondary (Year 7 to 9) - a Commitment to Continuous, Innovative Education

The Junior Secondary curriculum will be an integral part of the Anchors educational experience, continuing our unique blend of the Hong Kong curriculum and an international framework of the UK National Curriculum (Key Stage 3) while employing  innovative teaching methodologies. By incorporating STEAM and future-ready skills, the curriculum ensures students develop mastery of interdisciplinary learnings and well-prepared for the challenges ahead.

"The launch of our Junior Secondary division is one critical piece in realising our long-held vision to be a true through-train school," said Ms. Carmen Choi, Executive Director and School Manager of Anchors International Education Group and Anchors Academy. "It allows us to guide and nurture students within one consistent, innovative learning community from their earliest years all the way to university preparation. We are building on our proven primary school foundation to create a secondary education experience that is both academically rigorous and future-proof."

Anchors Academy is purpose-designing a dedicated learning environment within its Yuen Long campus. The development includes refurbishing facilities to create science laboratory, ICT suite, and flexible learning spaces that encourage collaboration and hands-on project work.

St Bees (Anchors) Sixth Form College Hong Kong: Hong Kong-Led, UK-Proven Curriculum for Senior Secondary (Year 10 to 13), where Academic Excellence meets Innovation

Anchors Academy has entered into a strategic partnership with the historic St Bees School UK (founded in 1583) to establish St Bees (Anchors) Sixth Form College*, located in West Kowloon, Hong Kong.

St Bees brings a distinguished heritage of academic excellence, with a proven track record of graduates from its UK and China campuses gaining admission to top-tier universities worldwide, including the University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, King's College London, University of Manchester, University of Hong Kong, University of Toronto, University of New South Wales, and many others.

Building on the strong foundation laid at Anchors Academy, the Sixth Form College adopts a student-centred approach with flexible teaching methodologies. Students may choose between the international stream, leading to IGCSE and GCE A-levels/ iAL qualifications, or the local stream, preparing for the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) examination. The onboarding of former Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University in the School Board will ensure the school stays aligned with the highest standard possible. Students will have sample lectures embedded in their curriculum to allow in-depth understanding of university courses from top universities. Some of these courses will be provided by Cambridge or Oxford professors to give the most intriguing and rewarding experience to our students.

All Year 9 Anchors Academy students will progress to St Bees (Anchors) Sixth Form College upon completion of their junior secondary.

Mr. Danny Wang, Vice Chairman of St Bees School, commented: "We are delighted to be partnering with Anchors Academy to bring a St Bees-inspired education to Hong Kong. Our shared commitment to academic rigour, character development, and innovative teaching makes this a natural alliance. We look forward to the development of school that will stand as a beacon of British-style international education in Asia."

Further details regarding St Bees (Anchors) Sixth Form College's curriculum and admission will be announced separately.

In Response to the Rising Demand for Quality Education, Anchors Academy Junior Secondary Division will Welcome Its First Cohort in September 2026*

The first cohort of Year 7 and Year 9 students is targeted to begin studies in September 2026*, with expression of interest now open. Interested families can register via the link or contact admissions office: AASSadmission@anchorsacademy.edu.hk.

Register your interest: https://forms.gle/4JB5YeoKuGgjKg2N6 

The School eagerly welcomes students and families into the vibrant community of Anchors Academy.

*subject to Education Bureau's registration and approval

About Anchors International Education Group

For more than 25 years, Anchors International Education Group has been a leading private educational institution in Hong Kong dedicated to premium bilingual and international education. The group now operates three Anchors Kindergarten & International Nurseries in Tai Po and Fanling, and Anchors Academy and Anchors Academy Affiliated International Kindergarten cum Nursery in Yuen Long. Committed to nurturing future-ready innovators, the Group focuses on holistic development through a blend of academic excellence, character education, and pioneering pedagogical approaches like STEAM. The group's mission is to build a connected educational ecosystem that guides students from early childhood through to secondary graduation.

About Anchors Academy (www.anchorsacademy.edu.hk)

Anchors Academy is a premier private school located on the idyllic banks of the Kam Tin River in Hong Kong, operating an International Kindergarten cum Nursery and Primary School from Pre-Nursery to Year 9. The School delivers a dynamic bilingual, local-internationalised curriculum with a strong emphasis on inquiry-based and STEAM education. The school fosters curiosity, resilience, and collaborative problem-solving, preparing students to become agile learners and responsible global citizens. With the extension to Junior Secondary Year 7 to 9 and partnership with St Bees School UK, it will formally become a full K-12 through-train institution, providing a continuous, high-quality education for students.

School Address: 1 Ko Po Path, Kam Tin North, Yuen Long, New Territories, Hong Kong

About St Bees School UK (www.stbeesschool.co.uk)

St Bees School is a distinguished co-educational independent day and boarding school nestled in the scenic landscape of West Cumbria, UK. With a rich history dating back to its founding in 1583, the school combines tradition with modern education to offer a holistic learning experience that prepares students for life beyond the classroom.

St Bees delivers a unique and well-rounded curriculum designed to develop confident, capable individuals. It places strong emphasis on both academic excellence and personal growth, encouraging pupils to explore their interests through a wide range of extracurricular activities. The school's proximity to the stunning Lake District provides exceptional opportunities for outdoor adventures, fostering resilience, teamwork, and a deep connection with nature.

Rated 'Good' by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), St Bees prides itself on maintaining high standards of teaching and pastoral care. The school boasts a vibrant community and a proud alumni network known as the Old St. Beghians. Notably, the famous comedian and actor Rowan Atkinson—better known for his character Mr Bean—is among its distinguished former pupils.

Download the photos here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/14JkX8SHweSeeE83bHNQM_CJi1L8eORIP?usp=sharing

Media Contact
Anchors International Education Group
Name: Sabrina Ma
Title: Group Senior Executive Manager
Email: sabrinama@anchorsacademy.edu.hk
Website: www.anchorsacademy.edu.hk

** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **

Anchors Academy Expands with Junior Secondary Division and Co-Establishes Senior Secondary School with St Bees School UK

Anchors Academy Expands with Junior Secondary Division and Co-Establishes Senior Secondary School with St Bees School UK

• New travel patterns show women favour trusted options, familiarity and culturally diverse journeys
• Solo women travel is surging in Southeast Asia among the Millennials, while Italy and France see a rising trend among older women
• Women are leading travel decisions, and are most willing to spend on family-inclusive experiences when travelling as a group

SINGAPORE, March 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Women today are exploring the world more than ever, whether with family, friends or individually. Increasingly, they are the central spark behind each travel journey made, shaping key travel decisions and preferences.

In celebration of International Women's Day, Trip.com Group has released new insights and survey data that reveal how women are driving global travel flows, and what matters the most to them in their journeys.

More Frequent, More Fearless: A Shift in How Women Travel

Globally, women traveller flight bookings are booming, growing 13% year-on-year (YoY), based on Trip.com Group's data. This trend is seen particularly across Southeast Asia, where in Indonesia – bookings made by women travellers have more than doubled from the previous year^[1].

What this means is that women are crossing borders more than ever. The average women traveller took one to two international trips in 2025, with South Koreans being the most active group, followed by Chinese travellers.

Not only are women travelling more, they are also doing so more spontaneously with lesser planning time. The global average booking window in 2025 ranged from two to six weeks, and internal data shows that women in Europe are planning their trips later rather than earlier – indicating a gradual shift from cautious pre-planning towards spur-of-the-moment travel^[2].

What Women Travellers Look Out For: Security, Familiarity and Adventure

Women travellers are widening their horizons, but on their own terms. While short-haul flights and nearer destinations are still preferred, women travellers are also venturing out to further locations for their adventures. Long-haul flights are gaining traction at a faster pace, with Asia experiencing the fastest growth^[3].

European travellers are also searching up destinations as far as Bangkok and Shanghai, suggesting a stronger appetite to go beyond comfort zones to explore across a wider range of experiences.

At the same time, some overall regional trends are observed:

• Women travellers from Southeast Asian generally prefer making trips within the region, with its close proximity and diverse range of experiences.
• China is a popular getaway destination for South Korean women, especially cities like Shanghai and Qingdao, which can be reached by flight within two hours.
• While domestic travel is still a top choice for European women, interest is shifting to culturally diverse destinations such as Istanbul and Bangkok. Exotic cities such as Cairo, Bueno Aires and Lima are some of the top searched destinations among European women travellers in 2026^[4].

Safety and familiarity are also key factors women take into account when choosing a travel destination. How confident they feel when they arrive late at night, walk and navigate a city, or use the public transport, regardless of whether they are travelling solo or as a group, is most important to women in the United Kingdom (UK) when it comes to making trip-related decisions, based on a recent survey commissioned by Trip.com Group.

Research also shows that destinations that prioritise women's safety and ease of transport are among the top factors that empower women in the UK to feel more confident when travelling^[5].

These travel patterns and insights reflect how women value familiarity and safety when making travel decisions, while also balancing their desire for adventure and novelty.

Rise of the Solo Woman Traveller

More women are choosing to travel solo, whether it is to go on a journey of self-discovery, or to have the flexibility to explore at their own pace.

This trend is observed across all age groups, but the strongest demand for solo travel comes from women aged 25 to 34 years old, where Southeast Asian countries like Indonesia and Vietnam are leading the charge. Notably, solo travel is also showing significant gains in Italy and France among older women, where close to one in five are aged 50 and above.  

For millennials, travel cost is a key consideration, with most choosing to book 3-stars and below hotels, especially those from Southeast Asia. On the other hand, slightly older women (aged 35 to 49 years old) in markets like China, South Korea and Singapore are choosing to splurge more on their solo trips, a trend observed from flights to hotels.

Interestingly, while men took more solo trips than women globally, this trend is reversed in some regions like Southeast Asia and Japan, where around 6 in 10 solo travellers are women^[6].

This demonstrates a broader societal shift, as women continue to embrace independence and are empowered to explore new experiences like never before.

Women Shaping the Future of Family-Friendly Travel

Across households, women are often the ones leading travel decisions, whether it is travelling with children, parents or grandparents. Planning a trip with family can be stressful – research shows that finding flights with convenient schedules, planning attractions and activities for children, as well as managing meal options are some of the top factors that matters most to women in the UK when travelling with a child.

This has driven a rising demand for family-friendly travel, where women hope to have a less stressful experience during family trips, even if it means forking out more. Such preferences shape decisions from flight bookings, and accommodation, to even the attractions selected for the trip.

When it comes to family travel experiences, survey insights show that guaranteed family seating on a plane, all-inclusive family packages, as well as larger family suites or connecting rooms are what women in the UK are most willing to spend more on when going on vacation with a child.

Empowering Women Beyond the Workplace

At Trip.com Group, empowering women and contributing to a more supportive environment for families has always been a key commitment. Through family-friendly policies, hybrid work options, paid parental leave and childcare subsidies, till the end of 2025, 98.2% of mothers have returned to work within six months after their maternity leave. In addition, over 1,800 employees have benefitted from more than 137 million USD in childcare subsidies since its introduction in 2023^[7]. This demonstrates the company's continued investment in career growth and workplace equality for women.

Beyond the workplace, Trip.com Group is also leading the industry with initiatives and thoughtful features such as having family-friendly travel recommendations and introducing a range of themed travel products catered to the older generation, for a fuss-free and pleasant travel experience for every traveller.

About Trip.com Group

Trip.com Group is a global travel service provider comprising of Trip.com, Ctrip, Skyscanner, and Qunar. Across its platforms, Trip.com Group helps travellers around the world make informed and cost-effective bookings for travel products and services and enables partners to connect their offerings with users through the aggregation of travel-related content and resources, and an advanced transaction platform consisting of apps, websites and 24/7 customer service centres. Founded in 1999 and listed on NASDAQ in 2003 and HKEX in 2021, Trip.com Group is on the mission "to pursue the perfect trip for a better world". Find out more about Trip.com Group here: group.trip.com.

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