Many schools in Singapore follow a British-based curriculum that closely resembles the National Curriculum of England. This curriculum comprises a set of subjects and standards used by early years, primary and secondary schools.
Students in these schools follow a well-structured and coherent progression of learning from early childhood to university entrance through various stages. The syllabus leads to the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) or its international equivalent, the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) examinations at the end of secondary school. At the pre-university level, students commonly sit for the A Level examination.
Here is a list of international schools that offer the British curriculum in Singapore. Some of these schools offer the Cambridge curriculum.
1. St Joseph's Institution International
SJI International High School opened in 2007, followed by SJI International Elementary School a year later. The curriculum at the school is heavily influenced by its Catholic and Lasallian traditions. The Elementary School offers an education to students in Prep 1 to Grade 6 (four to 12 years old). Students are taught under a customised curriculum that uses the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) for Humanities and Science classes and the Singapore Mathematics programme for Mathematics classes. The IGCSE examination is offered to high school students followed by offers of the IB Diploma Program (IBDP) for their pre-university. The school also offers boarding facilities.
2. Dover Court International School (DCIS)
Located at Dover Road, DCIS offers a broad, balanced and differentiated programme within the English National Curriculum framework. Primary school students learn the IPC, secondary students are prepped for the IGCSE examination and the IBDP is offered to students in the sixth form. Additionally, for secondary school students, the school has a BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) policy that makes sure technology is seamlessly integrated into all parts of the curriculum.
3. One World International School
Located at Jurong West Street, One World International School welcomes students aged three to 18 and offers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Curriculum at primary school and pre-university levels. High school students sit for the IGCSE examinations at the end of secondary school. The school also houses a “nature kindergarten”, a natural learning environment for children aged three to six years old. In addition, the school has a multicultural and diverse student community. Classrooms are equipped with e-learning technology and there are facilities for entrepreneurship, performing & visual arts and technology & robotics.
DCS in West Avenue offers their students ages two to 18 the English National Curriculum – Early Years Foundation Stage leading up to IGCSE and IBDP/CP. Additionally, Entrepreneurialism and STEAM are integrated into Junior School. The school also offers an array of extracurricular activities and facilities to enhance students’ wellbeing. Boarding facilities are also offered to their students.
5. North London Collegiate School (NLCS)
NLCS Singapore is located at Depot Road. The school is an expansion of the original NLCS in the United Kingdom which is an independent day school for girls aged four to 18 years old. The school's curriculum is based on the English National Curriculum, with additional elements of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, and specific elements of the Singaporean curriculum.
6. Brighton College (Singapore)
Located at 1 Chuan Lane, Brighton College Singapore is a collaboration between Cognita, a global school group and Brighton College, a co-educational school in the United Kingdom. The school welcomes students aged 18 months to 13 years. The curriculum throughout Pre-Nursery, Nursery and Reception will be based on the Early Years Foundation Stage while the British Curriculum will be introduced from Year 2 onwards.
7. Sir Manasseh Meyer International School (SMMIS)
SMMIS is located at Jalan Uwu Sembawang and welcomes primary and secondary school students. In primary school, SMMIS offers a blend between the British National Curriculum Literacy and Singapore Maths with the enquiry-based IPC. In secondary school, SMMIS follows the International Middle Years Programme (IMYC) and the Cambridge IGCSE qualifications.
8. Holland International School
Holland International School offers their students ages two to 12 the choice of the Dutch Stream or the English International Stream. Both curricula are blended with the IPC to provide students with an international learning experience. The school is located at Bukit Tinggi Road.
9. EtonHouse International School
EtonHouse International School has 14 campuses in Singapore, each offering specific curricula. The school welcomes students ages 18 months to 18 years offering the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) in primary school, Cambridge curriculum in secondary school and IBDP in high school. Additionally, the school offers Mandarin and English learning programmes for all their students.
10. Hwa Chong International School
HCIS offers a six-year integrated curriculum that includes the four-year Integrated Programme that progresses from the Foundation Programme to the Pre-IB Programme, as well as the final two-year IBDP. The school also provides boarding facilities for their students.
The Winstedt School delivers an internationally-recognised British curriculum through multi-sensory, arts-infused lessons and personalised instruction. Their students access the internationally accredited curriculum through the IPC and the MYP. Their senior school students’ core subjects are all taught in line with EdExcel KS3 and KS4 curriculum. Additionally, the school provides a school readiness program for students who are not fully prepared for their curriculum.
In 1925, Anne Griffith-Jones OBE founded Tanglin School, providing a British education to expatriate children. The school was officially renamed Tanglin Trust School in 1996 and is known for providing a flexible British-based curriculum. Preschool to pre-university levels are offered at the school, namely Infant School, Junior School, Senior School and Sixth Form. Students are prepared to sit for the IGCSE examinations during the Senior School level.
Located at Jalan Hitam Manis, ACS International School offers their students the Cambridge curriculum leading up to IGCSE for students in Year 1 to 4 and the IBDP for students in Year 5. The school also offers an array of extra co-curricular activities to ensure that their students have a balanced school life.
14. Furen International School
Furen International School originally opened as a Preparatory School in 2000 that prepared students to sit for the Singapore O Level examination. Currently, the school offers both secondary and pre-university levels. Other than O Level preparation, Furen International School offers the Cambridge Lower Secondary Curriculum and A Level qualification. The school also provides courses leading to a Certificate in English, a Diploma in International Education as well as preparation for the IELTS and SATs. Students also participate in a variety of social causes and programmes for an enriching school experience.
15. Knightsbrisge House International School (KHIS)
KHIS offers the IPC to students ages 5 to 11 and the Cambridge Lower Secondary Curriculum to students ages 12 to 14. The school is located at Bukit Merah Central and offers bus services for students living far from school.
16. United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA)
UWCSEA was first established in 1971 as Singapore International School by the former Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew. Since then, the school has expanded to have two campuses, namely the Dover Campus and East Campus. The learning ethos at UWCSEA comprises five elements which are academics, activities, outdoor education, personal and social education and service. The school is recognised as an IB World School and offers the IB Diploma Programme in Grades 11 and 12. UWCSEA’s curriculum is a concept-based curriculum from kindergarten to Grade 12. Boarding is offered at both campuses for students aged 13 to 18.
Overseas Family School offers the IEYC to students ages 2 to 5, IPC to students in Grade 1 to 5 and IB to students in Grades 6 to 12. In addition to their core curriculum, the Model United Nations debate is also incorporated. The school also offers other programs such as Mother Tongue Program, Study Preparation Program, Enrichment Program and more.
18. Middleton International School
Middleton International School has three campuses – Upper Bukit Timah, Tampines and West Coast. They cater to students in the early years up to high school. The Reggio-inspired EtonHouse Inquire-Think-Learn programme is offered to early years students, the IPC is offered to primary years students, the IMYP and Cambridge IGCSE for middle years students and the Cambridge A levels for high school students.
19. Nexus International School
The school accepts students aged three to 18 years old and offers early childhood to pre-university levels. The school emphasises language skills and currently offers Mother Tongue courses in Dutch, French, Japanese, Russian and Polish. Nexus International School is also recognised as an IB World School and offers the IBPYP, IBMYP and IBDP. In addition, students sit for the IGCSE examinations at the end of secondary school. The school is located at Aljunied Walk.
20. St Francis Methodist School
St Francis Methodist School provides a variety of pathways and programmes to accommodate each student's unique academic needs. From Year 7 to Year 12, a variety of curricula are available to students between the ages of 12 and 19. Both the Singapore Cambridge and the Lower Secondary English Immersion Program are available. The Singapore Cambridge GCSE O Level and the Cambridge IGCSE are both offered in upper secondary. The Australian Matriculation Programme is available to pre-university students in Years 9 and 10. Students in Years 11 and 12 are offered the A Levels and Western Australian Certificate of Education. Boarding facilities are also available in this school.
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