The Complete Parents’ Guide to the Singapore Integrated Programme By WRITERS AT WORK

By WR!TERS@WORK

What Is the Integrated Programme (IP)?

The Integrated Programme (IP) is a 6-year secondary education pathway designed for high-achieving students in Singapore. Unlike the traditional O-Level track, students in the IP skip the O-Levels and proceed directly to the A-Levels, International Baccalaureate (IB), or equivalent qualifications, such as the NUS High School Diploma. This unique programme allows students to develop critical thinking skills and excel in subjects beyond rote learning, with more time dedicated to exploring their interests.

What Are the Key Differences Between Integrated Programme (Ip) and O Levels?

The key difference between the Integrated Programme (IP) and O-Levels is the exam structure. The O-Level track is a 4-year course that leads to the GCE O-Level exam, while the IP is a 6-year course that skips the O-Level exam. IP students engage in a broader academic experience and pursue either the GCE A-Level, International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, or NUS High School Diploma. Both paths eventually prepare students for university, but IP offers a more seamless progression without the O-Level milestone.

Who Is the Integrated Programme for?

The Integrated Programme is targeted at students who excel academically and are strong independent learners. Since they won’t be preparing for the O-Level exams, students need to be self-motivated and capable of managing the academic rigour of a fast-paced curriculum. WRITERS AT WORK is an English tuition centre that prepares students for this by nurturing both their writing and analytical skills, ensuring they’re ready to meet the demands of the IP and excel in future academic challenges.

Schools currently offering Integrated Programmes include:

Integrated Programme—GCE A-Level:

• Catholic High School
• Cedar Girls’ Secondary School
• CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls’ School
• Dunman High School
• Hwa Chong Institution (Secondary)
• Nanyang Girls’ High School
• National Junior College
• Raffles Girls’ School
• Raffles Institution (Secondary)
• River Valley High School
• Singapore Chinese Girls’ School
• Temasek Junior College
• Victoria School

International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP):

• Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
• Methodist Girls’ School
• Joseph’s Institution (SJI)

Integrated Programme—NUS High School Diploma:

• NUS High School of Mathematics and Science

Challenges of the Integrated Programme

While the IP offers many opportunities, it’s not without its challenges. Without the structure of the O-Level exam to serve as a checkpoint, students may struggle with self-discipline and time management. At WRITERS AT WORK, we guide students in developing these essential skills, helping them stay on track and perform consistently throughout the 6-year journey. Our comprehensive programmes are designed to enhance students’ ability to craft sophisticated essays, navigate complex texts, and think critically—skills that are essential for excelling in the IP curriculum. Through our support, students build a strong foundation that will not only prepare them for the PSLE or O Level English exams, but also equip them for success in their academic and professional futures.

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. What Do You Learn in English Writing Class?

At W@W, students are first taught to break down questions to understand what is being asked. Learning what the question wants is just as important as learning how to answer it. Next, students will learn how to use the Plot Curve to craft logical and coherent plots, and interesting, well-developed characters, all the while learning key phrases which broaden their vocabulary. Students will use ideas from all the lessons taught at W@W in the exam.

2. How Can I Improve My Child’S Creative Writing Skills?

One way to enhance a child’s creative writing skills is by reading model compositions. After all, children cannot write about what they do not know. By reading how good essays are written and attempting to imitate them, children will pick up sentence mechanics and vocabulary they can use in their own exams. Reading more will also give students ideas about the various contexts they can write an essay about as they will be able to broaden their horizon of experiences.

3. Why Is It Important to Take Writing Classes?

Writing is the most challenging literacy skill to teach because it is a combination of many different skills and abilities. Students must be logical and creative when writing to create a coherent plot while remembering how to use the correct sentence mechanics. Furthermore, a wide range of vocabulary suited to the context must be used to create the correct imagery and tone.

4. What Age Do Kids Start Creative Writing?

Children typically begin creative writing in primary school. In Singapore, children are required to do Situational Writing and Composition for their PSLE exams in Primary 6. They may begin with simple prompts and first learn how to craft basic sentences, then progress to telling a story with a coherent plot which has a source of tension and then a resolution.