Singapore schools

[snor1979]

Hi, we’re moving to Singapore later this year and have a quite modest package. I think it will cover one of the more ‘budget’ international schools. I’ve had a look at One World and Middleton and wondered what people felt about these? I appreciate they lack the facilities of the top tier schools but do they offer a mediocre education?

any thoughts much appreciated?

thanks!

Middleton are part of the EtonHouse group of schools. My child attended an EtonHouse preschool and it was fabulous. I would go Middleton over One World. The standard of schooling in Singapore, even at international schools, is very good. Invictus is meant to be very good too. If you can stretch, Dover Court is an excellent school and cheaper than Tanglin /UWC Dover / Dulwich.

Thank you for feedback! I really like Dover Court but I think it would leave us pretty much penniless! Plus I think it has a very long waiting list. It would be my first choice though. Have you got children there? Do you think it would be worth stretching for?
Im trying to figure out cost of living etc.
thank you!

Yes, I had children there for 6 years. They really enjoyed it and are continuing to do well academically now they are back home. Lot of chop and change with principals though - I think we had 4 in our 6 years there! It wouldn't be my first pick of all the SG international schools but I think it does well in the middle price bracket.

The German European School (GESS) is another around the same price - they have an English language stream - or the French school is around $19,000/year. Both are well-established, good schools with solid curriculums. Or Nexus. They should all have shorter waiting lists than Dover Court.

One thing to be aware of with the budget schools is that the teachers tend to have a higher contact time ratio than at the more expensive schools as they recruit fewer specialist teachers for subjects like music, art, PE etc. Contact time for primary teachers at international schools in Asia is usually significantly less than in the UK, even in the private sector, and this makes it easier to attract high quality staff because there is a better work/ life balance and less stress/more time for planning etc. Teachers at the more budget schools do get paid less and are also expected to do more contact hours, so there will be some differential in terms of who they can recruit. It doesn't necessarily mean a worse teacher as there are some silly rules like the top English-medium schools will only recruit native English teachers with no discernible accent other than British, Australian or American, but it can mean that they may rely on younger, less experienced teachers. Also the very new schools may not have centralised curriculum planning completed which is an additional burden on the teachers- the more established ones will barely have the teachers needing to do more than just customise lesson plans to their preferences.

I do not know Singapore that well, but used to live in HK which had similar tiering of international schools and it was definitely the case there. My understanding from friends moving across to Sing was that comp and bens varied enormously between schools.

Also be aware that some budget international schools may have literally no leisure facilities - not even a playground/ hard top sports pitch, so make sure you understand what the arrangements are for breaks and sports.

Thanks for all of the information! I’ve contacted the German European School and I’m going to have a chat with admissions staff.
Also interesting to hear about contact time.