Tanglin and Dover Court

[Loiret]

Hello, I have two children now aged 11 and 8. We are likely to be moving to Singapore in July/August. Our children are at an independant prep school near Oxford, UK and we will want to return here in about 3 years time. Tanglin and Dover Court have been recommend to us, although I know Tanglin has a long waiting list. Can anyone give advice as to the best schools in terms of following UK curriculum and for enabling children to then move onto fairly high level academic UK senior schools afterwards? Thanks you.

[sevenoaker]

Hi, I've just seen your post and am in a very similiar position myself with. What did you decide?

[PCL]

Hello

As your posts are now a year old I was hoping you might be able to help. We are moving in July 2011 and looking at Tanglin and Dover Court. May I ask which you opted for (and where you got in!) and what your experience has been since? Our kids will be 7 and5 come Aug (so Year 3 and Year 1 respectively)

Many thanks

[sevenoaker]

Hello

Firstly, congratulations on your move. Although it may all seem quite daunting now Singapore really is a very easy place to settle into, especially with school age children, and I am sure you will enjoy your experience. We have ended up with our 11 and 8 year old boys in Dover Court. Personally, I am very happy with the school for my 8 year old and wouldn't consider moving him for our 2 year stint. It is a traditional and caring curriculum and we are all enjoying the mix of cultures. The classes are small and I feel he is being stretched and is very happy. As for the 11 year old I am slightly on the fence. He is enjoying the classes and has made friends, but is finding the school very small and is still on the wait list for Tanglin. The positives are the smaller classes and tailored curriculums and opportunities for sport for children who might not otherwise be involved. It is a very inclusive school, I just worry about how he might adapt to a larger school when we move back. Certainly a good interim measure though and it may work for you depending on your children's abilities/needs. Hope that helps.

[Selebration]

Hi Sevenoaker

I've just read your message and would love to have a chat with you when we move to Singapore in July. Originally from Oxford we've been in Malaysia 5 years and kids are down for DCPS start next term, and waitlisted for Tanglin asap. My son is 9, my daughter 7 and my expectations seem to tally with what you are saying re DCPS... (I'm also curious about your username as I grew up a little in Sevenoaks)

As I'm new to this forum is there a way to send private messages?!?

Thanks

Hello

Firstly, congratulations on your move. Although it may all seem quite daunting now Singapore really is a very easy place to settle into, especially with school age children, and I am sure you will enjoy your experience. We have ended up with our 11 and 8 year old boys in Dover Court. Personally, I am very happy with the school for my 8 year old and wouldn't consider moving him for our 2 year stint. It is a traditional and caring curriculum and we are all enjoying the mix of cultures. The classes are small and I feel he is being stretched and is very happy. As for the 11 year old I am slightly on the fence. He is enjoying the classes and has made friends, but is finding the school very small and is still on the wait list for Tanglin. The positives are the smaller classes and tailored curriculums and opportunities for sport for children who might not otherwise be involved. It is a very inclusive school, I just worry about how he might adapt to a larger school when we move back. Certainly a good interim measure though and it may work for you depending on your children's abilities/needs. Hope that helps.

[Selebration]

Hi Loiret

I've just read your message and would love to have a chat with you when we move to Singapore in July. Originally from Oxford we've been in Malaysia 5 years and kids are down for DCPS start next term, and waitlisted for Tanglin asap. My son is 9, my daughter 7 and my expectations seem to tally with what Sevenoaker has said re DCPS... I wonder if you agree with that now?

As I'm new to this forum is there a way to send private messages?!?

Thanks

Hello, I have two children now aged 11 and 8. We are likely to be moving to Singapore in July/August. Our children are at an independant prep school near Oxford, UK and we will want to return here in about 3 years time. Tanglin and Dover Court have been recommend to us, although I know Tanglin has a long waiting list. Can anyone give advice as to the best schools in terms of following UK curriculum and for enabling children to then move onto fairly high level academic UK senior schools afterwards? Thanks you.

[Selebration]

Yes, Tanglin has long waitlists for some years.

Dover Court is a good primary option, old-fashioned but happy and less intimidating than a bigger school, with more chance for children to shine in a less competitive environment.

But seniors is very small, so Tanglin is a better long-term option...

That said, more schools are opening up - good news to have more choices!

[Dan8]

Hi there, I appreciate this is an old post but I'm starting to look at primary schools as just found out we are moving to Singapore. My kids are 4 and 2.5 so looking for a good (small preferable) school where ideally the English curriculum is taught, although I think schools might be limited.

Any help on this front and places to live near schools would be much appreciate aired.

Danielle - who also lives near Sevenoakes!

[Selebration]

Yes, it's an old post but the schools much the same although new ones opening up:

Tanglin is not small and has and high fees waiting lists for later years
Dover Court is smaller, cheaper, but may be full at younger years by now. It doesn't hold waiting lists - this was my choice in the end as an interim school and I'd still say a good choice for younger years.

Chatsworth is another possibility for younger children, with a central campus that I didn't like and a nicer East Coast campus, no senior schools nearby so less good for upper primary and beyond

Not sure about Eton House? I visited it but was not convinced, seemed a little shambolic to me, maybe nicely informal to others, depends on your views, I have no real experience...

Best thing to do is to visit if possible, there is a lot to get your head around!

Most other schools offer modified IB curriculum: Canadian, US or international PYP/IB - it's a whole new jargon...

[floraybj]

Hi,

My son just join DoverCourt from Montessori for Children. DoverCount is great and Montessori for Children got good teachers, too, Just they do not have primary.

Dovercourt does not have the most modern campus. It is a bit like the school that I went to 40 years ago in primary school. But most impressive part is after my son struggled with many International Schools, he found a home in Dovercourt with great love from the teachers. I searched for this kind of school for 4 years. Finally, found one.