Tanglin Trust School

Here’s an in-depth portrait of Tanglin Trust School in Singapore, the oldest British international school in Southeast Asia:

🏫 General Overview

• Founded in 1925, originally by Anne Griffith-Jones, Tanglin Trust School is a non-profit British-curriculum day school for ages 3 to 18, with around 2,800–3,500 students representing 50+ nationalities, approximately 40–70% being British passport holders 

• It uniquely offers both A‑Levels and the IB Diploma in Sixth Form—the only school in Singapore to do so 

🧠 Curriculum & Academics

• Follows the English National Curriculum, progressing through EYFS, Key Stages 1–5, then IGCSEs and Sixth Form choices in A‑Levels or IB Diploma

• Academic success is consistently outstanding:

  • A‑Level: ~64% A*/A grades vs ~28% UK average

  • IB Diploma: average ~39 points (vs ~30 world average), with 72%+ scoring ≥38 

  • IGCSEs: ~91% at 9–6 grades.

• Around 96–97% of graduates secure offers from their first or second-choice universities globally.

🏛️ Facilities & Campus

• Based on a large, purpose-built campus on Portsdown Road, including separate Infant, Junior, Senior, and Sixth Form buildings 

• Recent opening of the Centenary Building (2023) features:

  • Olympic-sized 50m pool, gymnastics centre, climbing wall

  • Athletic development gym & physiotherapy suite

  • State-of-the-art music department and institute for thought leadership 

• The site also offers science labs, ICT suites, libraries, art and drama spaces, multiple sports halls, tennis courts, outdoor fields, and health services 

🌱 Holistic & Co‑Curricular Life

• Strong focus on sports and arts: over 20 sports, 400+ clubs, 80+ musical performances annually 

• Active outdoor education, including the Duke of Edinburgh Award, residential trips (1,200+ students in 2022–23), and the new Highlands Programme in Australia for Year 9

✔️ Quality & Accreditation

• Consistently awarded Outstanding across all sections in British Schools Overseas inspections, recognized by Ofsted 

• Accredited by major bodies: COBIS, CIS, FOBISIA, IB, IAPS, and more 

💰 Fees & Admissions

• For 2024–25 academic year, fees range approximately:

  • S$33,330–40,920 for Nursery–Reception

  • S$41,760–43,710 for Years 1–6

  • S$49,305–53,505 for Years 7–13 

• Admissions require English proficiency and age-appropriate assessments/interviews; very competitive with notable oversubscription, especially at lower ages 

• Non-refundable application fee S$1,000, plus enrolment and capital levies (each S$4,500)

🤝 Community & Reputation

• Tanglin emphasizes strong values — curiosity, confidence, community, integrity — supported through a house system and pastoral care

• Recognized as a top international school: IC School awards, Schools Index rankings, and “International School of the Year 2023” 

• Oversubscribed: junior intake sees ~15 applicants per place 

📝 Final Thoughts

Tanglin Trust School is a premier British-curriculum, non-profit day school in Singapore, blending stellar academic outcomes with world-class facilities and a rich co-curricular life. It uniquely offers A‑Levels and IB pathways and has earned top inspection and educational awards. Ideal for families seeking high academic standards, global learning, and holistic development.