Quick summary of key school information
All the details about this school in their own words
Number of students |
About 1800 |
Number of nationalities represented in the school |
About 66 |
Most common nationality |
72 % European |
Ratio of local students to international students |
4% |
Native English and German speaking teachers |
Yes |
Language support for students not fluent in English and German |
Yes we offer Language Support. |
Additional language classes offered by the school |
German, English, French, Latin, Spanish, Mandarin, Dutch and Danish |
Max. number of students per class |
24 |
Average number of students per class |
19 |
Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
Yes |
Use of technology in the classroom |
Use of iPads and from Grade 6 onwards GESS offers the Laptop Programme |
Is the school ready to use virtual classrooms when needed? (e.g. teaching lessons online if the school is closed, e.g. during COVID-19 closures) |
Yes, all our classes were taught online using secure virtual meeting platforms during the periods of home-based learning in Singapore. |
Do students practice religion at the school? What religion? |
Ethics, Catholic and Protestant religious studies (German Section) |
How does the school accommodate non-religious students or students of a different religion? |
Students need to attend ethic classes (German Section) |
External examinations or assessments available |
IB or Abitur |
Results in these examinations |
100% pass |
Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Yes |
Approximate hours of homework given |
Average 1 hour, but it does depend on grade |
Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation |
About 90% |
Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
Learning Support teachers |
Learning support offered |
After School Support, Homework Support, Language Support, Learning Support Classes during school time |
The school supports gifted, able and talented students |
We have an Excellence Center that offers a large variety of programmes, competitions and projects to foster and challenge our gifted, able and talented students |
Student access to education psychologist |
Yes |
Entry evaluation for students |
Yes |
Brief description of entry evaluation required |
English placement test and for High School Maths and English |
Waiting list |
Limited waiting lists in some grades |
Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
Ongoing Enrollment |
Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes, except for High School. |
School start time |
8am |
School finish time |
3pm |
Supervised care before/after school |
In Kindergarten we have supervised care |
School bus service available |
Yes |
School provided lunches |
Yes |
Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc) |
Yes |
Uniform required |
Yes |
Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
GESS offers around 90 CCAs ranging from various sporting and artistic disciplines to social activities and natural sciences that reflect the school's diversity of talents and ideas. |
Sports activities included |
Football and swimming, track and field, volleyball and basketball. |
Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
Yes (football and swimming, track and field, volleyball and basketball) |
Facilities at the school |
Library, Auditorium, Drama Facilities, Black Box Theatre, Science Labs, Design Technology Studios, Visual Arts Studios, Outdoor Plaza and Play Area, Learning Pods |
Sports facilities at the school |
Swimming Pool, Sports Field, Gymnasium, Play Areas/Playground |
Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
GESS is a not-for-profit international school where every child gets the freedom to grow through tailored academic and talent support within a caring community. GESS offers two main curricula: International Baccalaureate (IB) programme and the German Curriculum. The school caters to students of all ages, starting at 2 years all the way to graduation at 18 years. In August 2018 GESS has moved to a new purpose-built campus with brand new facilities at Dairy Farm Lane. In 2021 GESS is celebrating its 50th anniversary. |
Teaching approach of the school |
The teaching approach in the IB programmes is student centred. Teachers differentiate to cater for the different learning preferences of their students. Students are not ranked nor compared. Instead, students are motivated to work to individual learning targets. Debate and discussion forms part of the inquiry-based teaching and learning programme and much collaborative learning takes place. |