Tanglin Trust School

 

Address: 95 Portsdown Road, Singapore 139299
Website: www.tts.edu.sg
Email: admissions@tts.edu.sg
Telephone: +65 6778 0771
Gender: Co-educational
Curriculum: International Baccalaureate and British (English National Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE and A-Levels)
Teaching language: English
Ages: 3 to 18

Background

Established in 1925, Tanglin Trust School is the oldest British international school in South East Asia. Tanglin provides the English National Curriculum with an international perspective to children from 3 to 18 years in Singapore.

Tanglin is a vibrant co-educational school of 2,800 students representing over 50 nationalities and provides a unique learning environment for children from Nursery right through to Sixth Form. As a not-for-profit school, tuition fees are devoted to the provision of an outstanding education.

As the only school in Singapore to offer A-Levels or the IB Diploma in Sixth Form, all of Tanglin’s Sixth Formers study a programme that is tailored both to the subjects they are passionate about and to the style of learning that most suits them, ensuring they thrive and flourish.

Tanglin has an excellent academic reputation. Students’ examination results consistently surpass Singapore and global averages, with around 95 percent of graduates typically receiving their first-or second-choice university, which are among the best in the world.

What the school says  

"Drawing on professional and dynamic staff, Tanglin aims to nurture students to achieve their intellectual, spiritual, cultural, social and physical goals. We strive to make every individual feel valued, happy and successful. Responsibility, enthusiasm and participation are actively encouraged, and integrity is prized. Working together in a safe, caring yet stimulating environment, we set high expectations whilst offering strong support, resulting in a community of lifelong learners who can contribute with confidence to our world."

What the inspectors say 

Tanglin is inspected every year within the British Schools Overseas (BSO) framework, recognised by Ofsted. All three schools have been awarded ‘outstanding’, the highest possible grade.

“Tanglin pupils talk with passion about their school because it is special. They say it makes them feel happy and valued, not just for what they can do, but for who they are.”

– Junior School Inspection

“A rich and diverse curriculum provides outstanding learning across the school. Leaders are relentless in their ambition to offer pupils not only breadth but also depth in their learning. As a result, stimulating opportunities are built into everyday lessons for all pupils.”

– Infant School Inspection

“The teachers’ enthusiasm for learning is often infectious, leading to students seeing learning as a highly worthwhile and enjoyable process; students are highly motivated to succeed.”

– Senior School Inspection

Curriculum 

The Enhanced English National Curriculum forms the basis of study and this is contextualised to the school’s setting in Southeast Asia. Following IGCSEs, students have the opportunity to choose either A Levels or the IB Diploma at Sixth Form.

Tanglin encourages both broad participation and the achievement of excellence in the arts, sport, outdoor education and co-curricular activities. Over 140 teams compete in 17 different sports each year, both in Singapore and the wider region. Exceptional sporting facilities enable students to participate in a wide range of competitive and non-competitive events.

Tanglin has a thriving and energetic Arts programme which plays an important part in school life. Students develop their skills in art, design, drama, music, and film-making, facilitating creative, social and intellectual development. Nearly 25 percent of students participate in a Music co-curricular activity. Throughout the year, there are many opportunities for students to participate in high-quality ensembles, recitals, performances and exhibitions.

Tanglin students are also encouraged to contribute actively to the local community, support service projects and participate in a wide variety of extra-curricular pursuits that stimulate and broaden student experience. These include 80 outdoor education trips, the International Duke of Edinburgh Award, and the Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) programme.

Fees

For the 2023/2024 school year, fees range from SGD 31,695 a year for nursery school and SGD 50,856 a year for Years 12 and 13. Fees are payable termly and there is an enrolment fee of SGD 3,500 for all applications and a non-refundable capital levy of SGD 4,500.

Location

Located on Portsdown Road, Tanglin Trust School is approximately 15-minute drive from the city centre. The School is positioned within Singapore’s ‘one-north’ high technology cluster of biomedical sciences, ICT and media industries and among the heritage and nature areas of Rochester Park and the Wessex Estate.

From the CEO

“Tanglin is a vibrant co-educational day school where children learn to be successful and happy in their lives. In developing the whole child, we set high expectations for achievement in academics and the arts, whilst also nurturing their life skills. Our students enjoy being at school, they look forward to the challenge, the opportunities, the comradeship, the satisfaction and the fun that is part of Tanglin daily life. It is important to us that they have a clear view of the world, and their place in it, along with a deep desire to sustain it.”

– Craig Considine

What the parents say

“It is important to us that Tanglin is a not-for-profit school. You notice immediately that the facilities are excellent, that the classrooms and units are neat and well taken care of. It is reassuring to know that all school fee income goes back into the school. For us, curriculum and academics are critical. At Tanglin the children have been able to study the same subjects they would be taught in Holland which makes a future transition home easier. As a multilingual family, we also value the school’s mother tongue programme. There is a really good balance in lessons and assignments between creativity and content. Teachers don’t just tackle subjects on a superficial level but in real depth. I have also found the writing to be of an exceptionally high standard. The fact that Tanglin is not selective but still achieves such amazingly good results says a huge amount for the school.

"The values really stand out at Tanglin. There are lovely relationships evident between teachers and students but also between student peers and between staff and parents. The school takes a very sensible, professional yet friendly approach. It is open to talking about anything. I feel that my children are important to the school and my opinion as a parent matters – I feel truly heard. I also admire the respectful, mature relationships between the children. There is less emphasis on being popular or ‘cool’ but on being a kind, friendly, caring student and friend. The messages and values that the children are taught, such as a recent lesson on humility in the Senior School, are important.

"My children have thrived academically, made great friends, feel very much at home and love going to school. I couldn’t ask for more!”

– Sara Marseille, Tanglin parent

What the students say

"I am beyond thankful that Tanglin has encouraged me to develop as a person, gain a wealth of knowledge both inside and outside the classroom, nurtured me every step of the way and given me unforgettable memories I will treasure forever."

– Meghan, Former Head Girl 2018/2019

Videos

Tanglin Trust School Sixth Form College – November 2020. 

Tanglin Trust School – A Day in Tanglin Nursery – August 2019.

Tanglin Trust Junior School – August 2019.