Parents’ Guide: The Top 10 Questions to Ask When Selecting a Secondary School

By WR!TERS@WORK

Choosing the right secondary school is a significant decision for both parents and students in Singapore. With so many options available, it can be challenging to find the best fit for your child’s needs, abilities, and long-term goals. Here are ten essential questions to ask when evaluating potential schools, helping you make an informed choice for your child’s secondary education journey.

1. What are the School’s Core Values and Learning Culture?

Understanding a school’s values can reveal a lot about its culture. Does the school emphasise discipline, independence, or a growth mindset? Ask about the school’s guiding principles and how they shape students’ experiences. Find a school that aligns with your family’s values and the environment you believe will allow your child to thrive.

2. How Does the School Support Holistic Development?

A good secondary school goes beyond academics to nurture well-rounded individuals. Inquire about programs and opportunities for character development, social-emotional learning, and student leadership. Schools may offer initiatives like mentorship programs, team-building activities, or service learning projects that encourage personal growth.

3. What Academic Programs are Available, and How Do They Align with My Child’s Interests?

Secondary schools in Singapore offer different educational tracks and special programs, such as the Integrated Programme (IP) or the Express, Normal (Academic), and Normal (Technical) streams. It’s vital to ensure that the school’s academic offerings align with your child’s abilities and future goals.

4. How Does the School Handle Streaming and Subject-Based Banding?

With Subject-Based Banding (SBB) now a part of Singapore’s education system, schools offer more flexible class placements based on students’ strengths in specific subjects. Understanding how a school implements streaming and SBB can help you gauge how your child’s learning needs will be accommodated, especially if they excel in specific areas.

5. What Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) are Available, and How Strong are These Programs?

CCAs are an integral part of the secondary school experience, providing valuable life skills and a break from academic pressures. Ask about the range of CCAs offered, from sports and performing arts to niche interest groups. For children with particular interests, explore how established these programs are and the level of support the school provides.

6. What are the Class Sizes and Teacher-Student Ratios?

Smaller class sizes can foster better interaction between students and teachers, providing more individualised attention. Find out how large the typical class sizes are and if there are provisions for smaller groups, especially in key subjects or learning support programs.

7. How Does the School Support Students with Different Learning Needs?

Each child has a unique learning style and pace. Some may benefit from additional learning support, while others may require enrichment. Ask about available resources for learning support, whether they have trained staff for students with special needs, and how teachers tailor lessons for diverse learners.

8. How Does the School Encourage Parental Involvement and Communication?

A strong home-school partnership is vital for your child’s success. Schools often have parent-teacher meetings, online portals, or newsletters to keep parents informed. Explore how frequently and through what channels the school communicates with parents and what role parents play in the school community.

9. What are the School’s Results and Pathways for Graduates?

Academic results and post-secondary pathways provide insights into the school’s strengths. While not the sole indicator of quality, knowing the school’s track record in national exams and where students go post-graduation can help gauge how it supports students academically and prepares them for their next steps.

10. How Convenient is the School’s Location and Accessibility?

While not strictly educational, a school’s location can significantly impact daily routines. Consider how far the school is from home, the availability of school or public transport options, and whether the journey time is manageable for your child’s age. A convenient location can make balancing school, CCAs, and family time more manageable.

WRITERS AT WORK knows that selecting the right secondary school is an important decision that requires weighing multiple factors. By asking these questions, you’ll be better equipped to choose a school that suits your child’s needs and gives them the best foundation for success. WRITERS AT WORK is a tuition centre offering some of the best English enrichment courses for Primary and Secondary school students in 9 branches across Singapore. By offering comprehensive solutions to composition writing topics as well as strategies for oral exam questions, WRITERS AT WORK’s educators seek to make students better learners through organisation skills, reflection, and critical thinking.

Attain Stellar Results with WRITERS AT WORK!

English is a compulsory subject which all students must undertake. However, mastering the English language is not something which happens overnight – it takes consistent practice and effort to learn the nuances of the language. Students must read more and practice writing to gradually improve. Cramming for a language subject nearer to the exams is an impossible feat. After all, Rome was not built in a day! Attaining such a skill will have positive implications for not only your child’s education in school, but also employment prospects in future.

At WRITERS AT WORK, we are committed to providing the smoothest learning experience for your child sitting for their English exams. With our carefully curated methods of teaching your child how to write well, your child will learn how to present their thoughts and arguments in a coherent and concise manner. WRITERS AT WORK reinforces your child’s language skills and provides a strong foundation for their academic success, keeping up with all aspects of their progress both inside and outside of the classroom to nurture them holistically. For more information about how WRITERS AT WORK makes a difference, feel free to explore our website, watch our YouTube videos and catch us LIVE on TikTok!

If you are interested in our primary English tuition and secondary English tuition in Singapore, WRITERS AT WORK has expanded to 9 convenient locations. To find the nearest location that suits your needs, please explore our options. If you have any inquiries regarding our range of programs or class schedules, please feel free to contact WRITERS AT WORK!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

1. How Do I Find the Best English Tutor?

Start by seeking recommendations from family and friends. Next, research online and read the reviews of tuition centres to find suitable candidates. A good idea is to drop by the tuition centre and let your child participate in a trial lesson to find a good tutor.

2. What is the Purpose of An English Tutor?

An English tutor’s role is to help your child reach their full potential in mastering the English language. Since children have varying academic skills and capabilities, it is important that the tutor is able to identify the child’s strengths and weaknesses and provide them with tailored assistance.

3. What Skills Should an English Tutor Have?

A tutor should have a discerning eye for strengths and weaknesses of the student, patience to deal with different students, the requisite qualifications and experience, and they should be up to date on the relevant changes in the Singaporean English syllabus.

4. What are Some Important Skills in English?

Mastering English involves understanding basic rules like grammar and sentence structure, as well as developing more advanced skills such as inference and synthesis, which are needed for tackling more complex exercises as the student progresses.