Secondary School Education The Singapore education education. It will also shape his courses available and the steps system offers many choices career aspirations, readiness to you need to take to ensure that for your child’s next phase of take on the responsibilities of your child gets the best out of learning in a secondary school. an adult and a citizen, and his his next phase of education – The choices you and your ability to overcome challenges one that takes into account child make will influence his in life and be successful in his his aptitudes and interests, secondary school experience own way. and is best able to bring out during this crucial period of his strengths. It also highlights adolescence – in developing This booklet is designed important considerations the passion for learning, to help you understand in the secondary school shaping his character and Singapore’s secondary school posting process. preparing him for further education landscape, the Secondary School Education Contents 3 The Singapore Education Landscape 10 Programmes that Match your Child’s Interests 5 An Education that Develops a Broad Range of 14 Scholarships and Financial Assistance Schemes Skills for Life 6 A Fun and Well-Rounded School Life 16 Choosing a School for your Child 7 A Tailored Learning Journey Begins 17 Submission of Options 8 Catering to the Needs and Interests of your Child 18 Final Thoughts The Singapore Education Landscape The diverse education pathways offered aim to develop each child to his full potential. SECONDARY 4-5 years PRIMARY 13-16 years old 6 years 7-12 years old SPECIAL EDUCATION SCHOOLS 4-6 YEARS INTEGRATED PROGRAMME 4-6 YEARS SPECIALISED INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS 4-6 YEARS SPECIAL EDUCATION: PRIVATELY FUNDED SCHOOLS PRIMARY 4-6 YEARS PRIMARY SCHOOL LEAVING EXPRESS GCE ‘O’ LEVEL EXAMINATION (PSLE) 4 YEARS SEC 5N(A) 1 YEAR PRIMARY SCHOOL 6 YEARS NORMAL (ACADEMIC) GCE ‘N(A)’ LEVEL POLYTECHNIC FOUNDATION [N(A)] 1 YEAR 4 YEARS NORMAL (TECHNICAL) GCE ‘N(T)’ LEVEL [N(T)] 4 YEARS PRE-VOCATIONAL* 1-4 YEARS 3 Secondary School Education WORK POST-SECONDARY 1-6 years 17-22 years old DIFFERENT PATHWAYS TO WORK & LIFE ALTERNATIVE UNIVERSITIES QUALIFICATIONS** WORK JUNIOR COLLEGES/ GCE ‘A’ LEVEL CENTRALISED INSTITUTE 2-3 YEARS CONTINUING EDUCATION AND TRAINING (CET)*** POLYTECHNICS 3 YEARS * Pre-vocational course enables trainees to have an earlier start in vocational training, and delivers a customised, hands-on curriculum that prepares them for subsequent training at a technical or vocational institution like the ITE. ** Alternative Qualifications refer to INSTITUTE qualifications not traditionally offered OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION by the majority of mainstream schools 1-2 YEARS in Singapore. *** Continuing Education and Training (CET) is designed for adult learners or companies looking to upgrade the skills and knowledge of their employees. Secondary School Education 4 An Education that Develops a Broad Range of Skills for Life We want to nurture each child to become a: Confident Person Active Contributor who has a strong sense of right and wrong, is adaptable and who is able to work effectively in teams, is innovative, resilient, knows himself, is discerning in judgment, thinks exercises initiative, takes calculated risks and strives independently and critically, and communicates effectively. for excellence. Self-directed Learner Concerned Citizen who questions, reflects, perseveres and takes responsibility who is rooted to Singapore, has a strong sense of civic for his own learning. responsibility, is informed about Singapore and the world, and takes an active part in bettering the lives of others around him. Nurturing our Young for the Future Aside from the knowledge from the disciplines, your child will be equipped with skills, competencies, values and dispositions to help him meet life’s challenges successfully, and thrive in a fast-changing world. 5 Secondary School Education A Fun and Well-Rounded School Life Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) are an integral part of a well-rounded education and play an important role in character building. They help nurture in students qualities such as resilience, tenacity, confidence and perseverance, which prepare them to adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world. There is a whole range of exciting CCAs for your child to choose from, ranging from uniformed groups to sports and the arts. Secondary School Education 6 A Tailored Learning Journey Begins Three core courses are offered at the secondary school level. Depending on your child’s Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) results, he will be placed in the Express Course (including the Integrated Programme in selected schools), the Normal (Academic) Course or the Normal (Technical) Course. Courses at a glance GCE ‘A’ Level Examination / International Baccalaureate Diploma / Polytechnic National University of Singapore High School Diploma Junior College Integrated Programme Polytechnic Institute of GCE ‘O’ Level Examination (Years 5 and 6) Foundation Programme Technical Education Secondary 5N(A) GCE ‘N’ Level Examination GCE ‘N’ Level Examination Secondary 4 Express Secondary 4N(A) Secondary 4N(T) Secondary 3 Express Secondary 3N(A) Secondary 3N(T) Secondary 2 Express Secondary 2N(A) Secondary 2N(T) Secondary 1 Express Secondary 1N(A) Secondary 1N(T) Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) * Refer to the Education Landscape in Singapore on p3–4 to see the diverse education pathways offered beyond secondary schools. While your child may initially be placed in a particular course, depending on your child’s ability to cope with the current learning pace and style, there are opportunities for him to make a lateral transfer mid-stream to a more appropriate course – one that is better able to bring out the best in your child. 7 Secondary School Education Catering to the Needs and Interests of your Child There are many different types of secondary schools to choose from. While each school has its own programmes and some may offer different educational paths, they all seek to maximise the potential of every child. Our schools offer varied courses to develop the students’ abilities. We believe in providing a range of options so that each child has the opportunity to realise his talent and develop a core set of skills. Different schools take into account your concerns and those of your child, offering a comfortable environment for progressive development and challenging education programmes for more advanced students. When choosing a school, we encourage you to consider the strengths of each school and place your child in an environment that can motivate him and broaden his horizons. Secondary School Education 8 Types of Secondary Schools Autonomous Schools Independent Schools • They provide a wider range of innovative courses and • They enjoy greater autonomy in curricular innovations, enrichment programmes that enhance your child’s implementation of school programmes, administration, learning experience and develop his talents. student admissions and setting of fee structures. • They may charge an additional miscellaneous fee of • Scholarships, both from the Ministry of Education (MOE) between $3 and $18 a month to cover the costs of and the schools, are available to students who have done enhanced educational programmes (as compared to well and wish to join the Independent Schools. other Government or Government-aided Schools). Niche Programme Schools Special Assistance Plan (SAP) Schools • They expose students to programmes in their niche area(s) • They offer enriched programmes and an immersive to develop their interests, as well as provide opportunities learning environment that nurtures students to be for students to develop their talents further. biliterate and bicultural in English and Chinese. • They offer some Secondary 1 places for direct admission • They offer flagship programmes to help students develop for students with outstanding talent in their niche area. stronger understanding of the Chinese values and culture. Specialised Independent Schools If your child has an aptitude for mathematics and scientific inquiry, an inclination for applied learning and creativity, excels in sports or has a creative flair for the arts, you may wish to enrol him in one of the Specialised Independent Schools. These schools offer courses that are specially designed to help your child reach his potential in these areas. The Specialised Independent Schools are: a. National University of Singapore High School of Mathematics and Science b. School of Science and Technology c. School of the Arts d. Singapore Sports School Please visit the schools’ website for more information. Specialised Schools Specialised Schools such as NorthLight School and Assumption Pathway School offer customised programmes for students who are inclined towards hands-on and practical learning. In addition, Crest Secondary School, the first of two Specialised Schools catering to Normal (Technical) course students, will begin admitting students in January 2013. Crest Secondary School will adopt a whole-school approach in providing a customised learning environment to develop its students. It will also work closely with the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and industry partners to develop vocational programmes and provide attachment opportunities for its students. All these schools work within national educational policies and guidelines set by the MOE. Direct School Admissions – Secondary Direct School Admissions – Secondary (DSA-Sec) provides students an opportunity