We take a look at a few reasons why Singapore’s Tanglin Trust – at 98, the oldest British international school in Southeast Asia – was named International School of the Year 2023. Plus, find out how the independent school went this year after the release of its 2023 results for the IBDP and A Levels in Singapore!
#1 Tanglin Trust School Results
Tanglin has repeatedly ranked as one of the top 20 independent IB schools in the world. Last year’s average score of 41.4 was the highest ever for the school and well above the world average of 32 points. Tanglin is the only school in Singapore to offer students the choice of the IBDP or A Levels in Sixth Form. The school’s results for A Levels in Singapore are equally as impressive. Last year, 40 percent of all grades were an A*, more than double the average in England, where 14.6 percent of all grades were an A*. At Tanglin, 69 percent of all grades were an A* or A, compared to 36.4 percent in England and 58 percent in independent schools in England.
#2 Co-curriculars
Tanglin says that its mission is to make every individual feel valued, happy and successful. Responsibility, enthusiasm and participation are actively encouraged, and integrity is also prized. That’s why more than 90 percent of students take part in more than 500 different co-curricular activities on offer. Tanglin sets high expectations for its students while offering strong support. Everyone works together in a safe yet stimulating environment that helps develop lifelong learners who can contribute confidently to the world.
#3 Facilities at this independent school
As a lead-up to its 100th birthday, the school recently unveiled the Tanglin Centenary Building. This new 11-storey building with state-of-the-art facilities now accounts for nearly 25 percent of the school’s entire floor space.
Craig Considine, CEO of Tanglin, said: “The Tanglin Centenary Building not only acknowledges our past, but more importantly, it’s about the future. It provides opportunities for balanced and holistic education for future generations of students. The key facilities will challenge our students’ physical, social, emotional and intellectual growth, helping them flourish as individuals.”
These facilities include a gymnastics centre, an athletic development gym, life skills classrooms, an infant dining hall, a parent co-working space, two floors of music classrooms including a recital hall, and an Olympic-sized 50m covered swimming pool.
It’s not just students taking home a school report at Tanglin Trust! In 2022, it was inspected by the British Schools Overseas (BSO) – the first time the whole school went through a single inspection process. The result was an award of “Outstanding”, the highest possible grade. The report stated: “The quality of teaching, learning and assessment is outstanding across the whole school and contributes to pupils of all ages and abilities making rapid progress and achieving consistently high standards in all subjects.” (2022 UK Ofsted BSO Inspection Report on teaching, learning and assessment). The Infant, Junior and Senior/Sixth Form schools were also judged “Outstanding” in individual inspections from 2016 to 2018. Tanglin is the only British school in Singapore to be inspected by the BSO.
Tanglin Trust School – a snapshot
Year established: 1925
Curriculum: Enhanced British curriculum with an international perspective
School year: August to July
Ages taught: 3 to 18 years (Nursery through to Sixth Form)
Current enrolment: Over 2,800 students
Number of nationalities: Over 50
95 Portsdown Road, Singapore
+65 6778 0771 | tts.edu.sg
To learn more about Tanglin Trust School’s curriculum and choosing between the IBDP and A levels in Singapore, visit the website.
This article first appeared in the Autumn 2023 issue of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue.
