While switching schools in your senior year of high school is never easy, we’ve been discussing ways to make the process go more smoothly with some of Singapore’s best international schools.
Occasionally, despite your best efforts and numerous sleepless hours and weeks spent researching foreign schools in Singapore, your top option for education may not turn out to be the perfect fit. While it’s distressing for everyone, the next logical step is to locate one that DOES fit, especially because there are so many fantastic schools in our area. However, what would happen if your children were a little older and had to take tests for high school and secondary education? Is moving them still a smart option, or is it preferable to merely make do till they’ve completed their most formative years? We have posed this topic to a number of prestigious foreign schools, and they have been quite insightful and helpful in their responses.
- Formerly called GEMS World Academy Singapore, XCL World Academy
In what circumstances would you suggest changing the curriculum for my child’s secondary education?
The ideal Secondary Years Education curriculum would involve ongoing attendance at the same school. We are all aware, but, that’s not always feasible or desired. Most of the time, relocations may be handled and disruptions minimized if your kids are enrolled in a caring school. The student’s best interests should truly be the focus when making the move on their own. In the following situations, a change might be beneficial:
International Experience: Students wishing to switch schools in order to pursue an international curriculum are frequently enrolled with us. Since these are the natural transitional years, it would be ideal to implement this modification at the start of either Grade 9 or Grade 11. The most important warning in this situation is that the student needs to be prepared to handle their new curriculum.
Shift in Focus: In the past, we have advised students to deliberately switch to a more specialized or focused curriculum (like A Levels, for example). This only occurs when a student aspires to attend a highly competitive university AND is exceptionally strong in some courses and somewhat weak in others.
National Curriculum: Knowing that they would be going back home and that the local school system there has certain needs that a foreign system does not meet, some families will decide to relocate.
Opportunity Knocks: The market for education today offers a growing array of choices. For instance, we just launched the IB Career-related Programme (IBCP) at XCL World Academy (previously known as GEMS World Academy Singapore), in collaboration with Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). Students who excel in a particular subject can get significantly ahead of their peers with the help of these programs.
Is there a point in a child’s education where you would recommend against changing curriculums or schools unless it is really necessary?
Indeed, without a doubt. It is strongly advised that children not be moved between their last years of school. Moving at this point nearly invariably results in a major decline in grades for the students. Once more, if such a relocation is inevitable, the important thing is to locate a new school that is prepared to be very accommodating and to provide high quality support. Moving typically has a greater social and emotional impact on older children, so it’s critical to make sure that appropriate support networks are available in case they’re needed.
How can the new school ease the transition for my child if they are transferring schools or curricula, and what can we parents do to support them?
Our recommendation is to find a school where a student’s needs are prioritized over their ability to fulfill the standards of the school. Schools ought to implement a buddy system of sorts, whereby incoming students are paired with a mentor student to help them get started. Additionally, there must to be a counselor on hand for the students.
The best thing we parents can do is to encourage their children in whatever way we can and to set reasonable expectations (many students see a temporary decline in their grades after moving). This should entail becoming somewhat conversant with the curriculum so that you can understand what your child’s teachers are discussing. However, it doesn’t imply you have to become an expert in education; that’s what the school is for.
We emphasize to each and every one of our new families the importance of communication. There are three parties involved: the student, the parents, and the school. The student is the only one who is truly significant.
2. International School of Dover Court
In what circumstances would you suggest changing the curriculum for my child’s secondary education?
The ideal moment to alter your child’s schooling is never here. In most schools, years 7, 8, and 9 serve as the foundation years for the GCSE, therefore it goes without saying that it is crucial to make sure pupils approach their exams with a consistent and organized mindset. The updated GCSE content and assessment means that several schools, including Dover Court, are now beginning GCSEs in Year 9.
Is there a point in a child’s education where you would recommend against changing curriculums or schools unless it is really necessary?
We will work with any student who has changed schools or curricula to ensure the transition is easy and they succeed. We recognize that sometimes this is unavoidable. Because different schools have different curricula and test boards, this might become increasingly challenging in the later years of secondary or sixth form. Moving during the first few years of secondary school is therefore probably preferable.
How can the new school ease the transition for my child if they are transferring schools or curricula, and what can we parents do to support them?
As a parent, you should make sure the school offers a comparable curriculum to the one your child was doing at their prior school and find out whose test boards or curriculum they were using. If the material and assessment procedure were the same, the transition would undoubtedly be simpler. For example, geography at one school may differ greatly from geography in another. It’s important to check in advance as some subjects may be full due to class sizes and option blocks, which could restrict your possibilities. In order to transfer this information to the new school, you may also ask your child’s present school for a summary of the material that has been covered in each topic thus far.
Additionally, we advise having a conversation with your child as soon as possible regarding the transfer. The student’s ability to plan ahead and be prepared for the move depends greatly on their knowledge about the relocation and its motivations, which will help them succeed at the new school.
Although schools are accustomed to accepting applications early and have systems in place to assist parents and students, the information mentioned above will undoubtedly streamline the process.
3. Singapore’s Nexus International School
In what circumstances would you suggest changing the curriculum for my child’s secondary education?
Children in secondary school start to define their futures as they start to explore who they are. The goal of curriculum changes should be to support students’ interests. For instance, while it might not be the greatest path to graphic design, an IB diploma can help you get into a prestigious school of design like Arts University of Bristol. Similarly, they ought to think about a US-recognized program if they want to attend a prestigious Rhode Island School of Design.
If your child isn’t sure, recommend a more comprehensive curriculum, such as the IB DP option, so they have more possibilities to choose from when they figure out what they want to be.
Is there a point in a child’s education where you would recommend against changing curriculums or schools unless it is really necessary?
Avoid changing courses midway through a two-year program like IG or IBDP. At a new school, subject matching is challenging. It’s possible that course materials, transcripts, and tutor notes won’t be readily transferred. Since curricular changes are made simpler while children are younger—before significant exams, when they can adjust and make up for any gaps in knowledge—under the age of fifteen.
Prior to switching schools, consider the effects on your child. Youngsters have close social bonds with their teachers and peers, particularly if they have been there for a long time. But, there can be deeper problems at school if they prefer to hang out more alone or if they have stated a desire to transfer schools.
How can the new school ease the transition for my child if they are transferring schools or curricula, and what can we parents do to support them?
Getting reports, documents, coursework, and private data is essential for a seamless transition. In order to properly comprehend and evaluate the child’s needs and to make sure that all of the teachers and tutors at Nexus International School Singapore are knowledgeable, we need this information. After the child is questioned, the school will determine what kind of support or extension the youngster needs. There will be a buddy system in place to assist the youngster in developing social skills. After a few weeks, the homeroom teacher will write a settling in report and spend more time with the student.
Parents should initially assist with the at-home education. Encourage joining a sports team or CCA, talk about teachers, friends, and passions, and be encouraging and show interest.
4. The Trust School of Tanglin
In what circumstances would you suggest changing the curriculum for my child’s secondary education?
Tanglin offers a dual pathway that enables all of our Sixth Form students to have a curriculum that is customized to their preferred learning method as well as the areas they are most interested in. When a student is well-fitted into their program, they thrive. Because of this, we would support a curriculum shift and advise everyone to think about pursuing an A Level, IB Diploma, or other program that best suits them in order to gain admission to further education.
Is there a point in a child’s education where you would recommend against changing curriculums or schools unless it is really necessary?
Our last entry point into the two-year examination cycles is January of Year 12, and we only accept pupils for a maximum of one term at a time. The students are the sole beneficiaries of this. It is not feasible, in our opinion, to expect students to make up 225 hours of contact time in one term on a three-subject A Level program.
To ensure that the initial focus is on settling holistically rather than having to immediately focus on settling academically, it is advisable to make the transfer at least a year before the start of an examination cycle. Students’ prospects of success may be impacted by movements made throughout the two years leading up to an examination period, unless they are switching to a different system and the terminal examinations become irrelevant.
How can the new school ease the transition for my child if they are transferring schools or curricula, and what can we parents do to support them?
We would recommend going on school visits and being present at our Sixth Form and Whole School Open House Events to meet the people and view the facilities. If this isn’t feasible, I answer the phone and have occasionally helped our students and new students conduct Skype conversations. Our official induction program, which includes student-led components, serves parents in addition to students. Arriving pupils settle in remarkably fast and prosper. Because of the rigors of a hectic schedule and the fact that teachers and staff are accustomed to greeting “transitioners,” it is rare for them to feel “new” for very long.
5. American School in Singapore
In what circumstances would you suggest changing the curriculum for my child’s secondary education?
A change should ideally be done before to high school. Children are flexible, but curricular changes made too late might leave learning gaps. While completing the IB curriculum from elementary school through the graduation is not required, a transfer into the program must occur prior to grade 11. Some families decide to send their child to an Advanced Placement (AP) school, where the student can select which classes, if any, to take at a higher level, because they feel that IB can be a little too rigid for their child.
Is there a point in a child’s education where you would recommend against changing curriculums or schools unless it is really necessary?
The start of the school year is a crucial consideration when making changes. Avoiding mid-year transfers is advised. If a mid-year transfer is inevitable, try to time your relocation to coincide with the beginning of the new school’s term. This will maximize the student’s chances of a seamless academic transfer and increase the likelihood that they will have a cohort of fellow first-year students. It’s simpler to make the shift when you have friends in comparable situations.
How can the new school ease the transition for my child if they are transferring schools or curricula, and what can we parents do to support them?
To assist new students in adjusting to their new surroundings and learning the school’s norms, it is beneficial for the new school to offer orientation, transition activities, and, if feasible, a peer mentor. In order to assist, parents should fill out all the transition paperwork, which frequently includes their children’s academic and social/emotional profiles. This will assist the new school in making sure that all required supports are in place from the start of the pupils’ attendance.
