OFS vs Chatsworth

[Mumofin]

We will be moving to Singapore later this year and are looking into International Schools for our kids (early secondary school age) who are currently studying at ESF schools in Hong Kong. Wondering if anyone has some advice on OFS and Chatsworth (quite a difference in school fees), or indeed any other recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

[PNGMK]

Neither. They are both 'for profit' schools. Look into Nexus, ICS etc for a better return on your money.

[Hannieroo]

I second Nexus. My boys are very happy and achieving, the parents are a lovely intro to a social life here and it's not as expensive as OFS I believe.

[nutnut]

My kids are primary age, but, they go to Chatsworth and we really like it.

PNGMK, do you have any experience with kids in the International Schools, or are you you just playing devils advocate? Sure, if a school is not run as a trust then it's going to spend less on teaching staff and facilities, but, who is to say that makes for a better school? Surely, the society that is built in the school is more important? For instance, Tanglin, it's a very expensive trust based school, however, if you are not of the upper crust of society there allegedly is a huge amount of bullying towards the kids. However, if we are to believe you then that's a better environment to educate and mould our kids when they are outwith our control.

Where did your kids school and how recently?

[PNGMK]

My kids are primary age, but, they go to Chatsworth and we really like it.

PNGMK, do you have any experience with kids in the International Schools, or are you you just playing devils advocate? Sure, if a school is not run as a trust then it's going to spend less on teaching staff and facilities, but, who is to say that makes for a better school? Surely, the society that is built in the school is more important? For instance, Tanglin, it's a very expensive trust based school, however, if you are not of the upper crust of society there allegedly is a huge amount of bullying towards the kids. However, if we are to believe you then that's a better environment to educate and mould our kids when they are outwith our control.

Where did your kids school and how recently?

Our family has children in ICS and my partner has taught in a range of schools internationally. The general problem with for profit schools is that without strong governance or an overriding mission statement... the profits go to the shareholders and not into books, buildings, resources, salaries for good teachers etc. I understand the reason people have to pick for profit schools but I would not recommend it if any other option is available.

[nutnut]

My kids are primary age, but, they go to Chatsworth and we really like it.

PNGMK, do you have any experience with kids in the International Schools, or are you you just playing devils advocate? Sure, if a school is not run as a trust then it's going to spend less on teaching staff and facilities, but, who is to say that makes for a better school? Surely, the society that is built in the school is more important? For instance, Tanglin, it's a very expensive trust based school, however, if you are not of the upper crust of society there allegedly is a huge amount of bullying towards the kids. However, if we are to believe you then that's a better environment to educate and mould our kids when they are outwith our control.

Where did your kids school and how recently?

Our family has children in ICS and my partner has taught in a range of schools internationally. The general problem with for profit schools is that without strong governance or an overriding mission statement... the profits go to the shareholders and not into books, buildings, resources, salaries for good teachers etc. I understand the reason people have to pick for profit schools but I would not recommend it if any other option is available.

Understood, but, if I were to take your advice, then I would not have put my kids in the school they are both thriving in and thoroughly enjoying. So I think that should also be a consideration for the OP.

[Hannieroo]

I agree. Plus it's a very personal choice, different fit for every child.

[PNGMK]

My kids are primary age, but, they go to Chatsworth and we really like it.

PNGMK, do you have any experience with kids in the International Schools, or are you you just playing devils advocate? Sure, if a school is not run as a trust then it's going to spend less on teaching staff and facilities, but, who is to say that makes for a better school? Surely, the society that is built in the school is more important? For instance, Tanglin, it's a very expensive trust based school, however, if you are not of the upper crust of society there allegedly is a huge amount of bullying towards the kids. However, if we are to believe you then that's a better environment to educate and mould our kids when they are outwith our control.

Where did your kids school and how recently?

Our family has children in ICS and my partner has taught in a range of schools internationally. The general problem with for profit schools is that without strong governance or an overriding mission statement... the profits go to the shareholders and not into books, buildings, resources, salaries for good teachers etc. I understand the reason people have to pick for profit schools but I would not recommend it if any other option is available.

Understood, but, if I were to take your advice, then I would not have put my kids in the school they are both thriving in and thoroughly enjoying. So I think that should also be a consideration for the OP.

That's great until you find that the school is wholesale photocopying copyrighted texts to hand out to the HS kids to save money for the shareholders or decides that for your kids to enrol next year you MUST cough up an extra $1000 for the building program because the owners won't reach deep for the next 5 years or that the Math teacher is actually a PE teacher but his mate the principal gave him the job because he was cheaper.... REAL examples from a REAL "international" school in Singapore part owned by Michael Milkin.

You might not think these things matter but they do...

[Hannieroo]

But one bad example is not all schools. Nor is is one good example.

[Mumofin]

Thanks for your responses everyone. Must agree with Hannieroo re different fit for every child. Goodness knows my two are like chalk and cheese in terms of learning styles (and most everything else!). But seeing as it will be their first international move, I would prefer to have them both at one school that would hopefully keep them happy and inspired to learn. I suppose there's nothing like an actual visit to gauge for oneself, but I am also anxious to have this all confirmed, not losing those last available class spaces, etc.

In your opinion(s), should I put in applications first ($200-$500+ each) then go see the schools, or vice versa?

[manashwin]

Hi Mumofin. What did you finally choose? Thanks.