Tanglin vs SAIS

[richmondhill]

We have recently done a few school visits and finally pretty much shortlisted our choices down to two for my child. We like Tanglin for its British based curriculum, which is supposedly more structured. Also the school has an established reputation despite being non-selective. The only concern is its foreign language program , or lack of. ( 30 mins , once a week).

As for SAIS, we like the school also and the daily foreign language program. But just unsure of the academic rigor given that it does not have a long history. Are there any parents from both school to help shed some light?
We are looking a school that has done well academically and also provides overall balance to the children.

Appreciate your insights...

[Primrose Hill]

We looked into SAIS but had discounted Tanglin. SAIS, when we landed in SG worked for us as my daughter was previously studying in a COGNITA school back in London. Essentially it was almost like a transfer. However, it was a new school, classes for the younger children was good but there was a lack of students in the higher grades and it was at that time just moved or about to move to their new site near Kovan.

Have you looked at an alternative which is UWC?

[richmondhill]

We are looking at UWC too but she won't be considered
Till 2016 since UWC takes in 4-5 years old onwards.
How is your child doing at SAIS?

[Primrose Hill]

My daughter didn't go to SAIS since the student body for higher grades are way too small.
She is in OFS and she will change school once she has completed her IGCSE

[movingtospore]

My children aren't at either of those schools...but one thing to consider re: foreign language programs and daily classes. This can be a very good thing, but it also impacts the amount of time teachers have in class to spend on other core subjects - English, math, science, PE...

Our school has daily Chinese and I've noticed that although it helps with the learning the language, the reality is children from non-Chinese speaking homes are really not going to learn Chinese unless they're sent to immersive summer camps at some point. And, because it's every day, there is not a minute to spare in each day's schedule and the school works to fit everything in. Sometimes I think it's not all it's cracked up to be - one school in Singapore started doing it, so now they're all doing it. I love our school (SAS), but I would be completely fine with dropping the daily Chinese and allowing some more time for science, writing practice, and so on.

[richmondhill]

Movingtosingapore - can't agree with you more on the non-Chinese speaking homes. I supposed it all boils down to our priorities - if Chinese is non-negotiable factor..