Schools in Singapore

[fastedwina]

moving there (again) in Aug with an 9 yr and 6 yr olds. Tanglin and UWC are out due to waiting lists so seriously looking at OFS and Dover Court now. Any one with kids at these schools or a good knowledge of them - feel free to give me your views. What would your choice of school be given Tanglin and UWC's waiting lists. Getting twitchy now so need to get my ass in gear so i can then consider where to live.

My DD1 is 6 and in P1 at Dover. She's been there since nursery and loves it. It's not super-shiny like UWC and Tanglin with climbing walls, theatres and kayaking pools but it has a decent 25m pool (everyone swims every week), sports field, running track etc. The teachers are lovely, very nurturing and kind. Parents are more involved than my friends seem to be with their kids at UWC and Tanglin. We have lots of assemblies and celebrate all festivals. The headmistress is lovely and welcomes all the children by name every morning when the buses arrive. There is a special needs stream and full-time occupational therapists etc. We probably won't be requiring special needs help but I love the fact that DD1 knows the basics of sign language and is aware that people come in all shapes, sizes and abilities. Special needs children are taught separately but fully integrated when it comes to sports, special events, school trips and productions.

However, I'm not convinced of academic standards in the senior school and feel that there are better options out there (although Dover is currently investing lots in a senior teaching block they don't have the music / sports / drama / home economics / arts facilities of other schools).

We have signed DCs up to UWC - DD1 who is 6 should be there by the time she is 10 and DD2 who is 2 should be there by 5.

Tanglin accepts huge financial contributions to "jump" the waiting list, UWC does not. I know companies that have paid Tanglin's extortionate bribes jump-the-queue fees - if you're negotiating a package, would this be an option?

Just be aware that they all have slightly different school holidays which can be a PITA if you are planning half term trips or a long summer back home.

Heard good things about all the other schools you mention and have friends with kids at Tanglin and UWC so if you have any other questions, fire away.

Lolly polly as summed it up brilliantly.

re: OFS, it has an increasingly good reputation and is no longer a stop gap school as it used to be.
It is a school where children are HAPPY. It is not extremely academic but has a very good standard nonetheless. A lot of nationalities. they do have a focus on humanities. Great sports field.

Dover is much more "british", very cosy and very proper.

Chatsworth is a waste of money.

I have hear a lot of very good things about SJI, but it has a strong religious ethos so not for everyone.

In the long run, most long term expats do have the kids waitlisted for UWC and Tanglin.

no we won't be paying the debenture or whatever they call it and will be paying the fees ourselves this time. Thanks for the views as picking a school where the children will be happy is the hardest choice to make regarding the whole move. if I'm happy with the school everything else will fall into place. Would rather live on the East coast but wonder how much of a hike that will be to Dover Court or OFS. CIS seems to be getting some quite mixed reviews. Will probably drive rather than use school bus - at least for a little while.

CIS is a good school, campus a bit dated.

from east coast it would be a bit of a hike (up to 30mn on ECP/AYE to dover) and similar to OFS (always jammed around OFS/takashimaya)

For these 3 schools you should look at west coast/pasir panjang/clementi/buona vista

I visited Chatsworth last year for an event and was shocked how scruffy it is. How hard is it to clean outside chairs and paint walls? The main hall had curtains that were falling off the curtain poles. I know this sort of thing doesn't impact on the education- but how depressing as a student or teacher to be faced with that every day.

Well empire, it does impact on education,
I have it from a good friend with 3 kids there that in the past 2 years, senior staff have been fleeing the ship like rats, leaving many long term parents with A level students simply hanging there with no better option as they did not see it coming.

Went to visit SJI yesterday and was impressed. It is only 2.5 years old so everything still very new. Friends who have children there say the religious aspect is there but not overwhelmingly so if you're not RC. There is already a waiting list for DS's year who would start September 2012 though.

The thing I have 'problems' with for Tanglin and UWC is that they are huge - 8 classes a year and that is even for the youngest ones. I suppose just not what I experienced myself.

The TTS year sizes are a shock at first, but the organisation of different year groups on different floors of the buildings with big open areas in the middle and classrooms round the edge is very friendly. Each year is its own community.

True. My son was at TTS and they are really in their little bubble in each year group. Very nurturing, so do keep an open mind and worth staying on the waiting list.