Quick summary of key school information
All the details about this school in their own words
Nationalities
| Number of students |
1900 |
| Number of nationalities represented in the school |
70 |
| Most common nationality |
65% European, 20% Asian, 15% Others |
| Ratio of local students to international students |
4% |
Languages
| Native English and German speaking teachers |
Yes |
| Language support for students not fluent in English and German |
Comprehensive English as an Additional Language (EAL) Support is offered in preschool and grades 1 to 8. |
| Additional language classes offered by the school |
Mandarin, Spanish, French, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Indonesian, Swedish, Danish and Dutch |
Classroom
| Max. number of students per class |
24 |
| Average number of students per class |
21 |
| Does the school employ teaching assistants? |
Yes |
| Use of technology in the classroom |
GESS has a balanced approach toward technology. iPads are used in preschool and primary and laptops in secondary grades. |
| 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? |
No |
| How does the school accommodate non-religious students or students of a different religion? |
Students studying in the German Section are required to study either Ethics or a religion lesson as part of the state curriculum. |
Academics
| External examinations or assessments available |
International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma or Careers Programme (CP)
|
| Results in these examinations |
100% pass |
| Do teachers assign homework to their students? |
Yes |
| Approximate hours of homework given |
Varies from 1 hour to 3-5 hours per week, depending on the grade and subjects. There is no homework in preschool. |
| Percentage of students who pursue further education post-graduation |
Over 95% |
Student support
| Dedicated staff/programs for students with special learning needs |
GESS is a mainstream school with a learning support department that provides individual support for students with learning needs. |
| Learning support offered |
Individual and small group support and strategies are offered for students with learning needs. |
| The school supports gifted, able and talented students |
In August 2024, GESS will launch a Gifted and Talented Programme in Maths, Science, Literacy and Technology. |
| Student access to education psychologist |
Yes - GESS has invested considerable resources in student wellbeing, including a new wellbeing centre, counsellors and pastoral care curriculum. |
Admissions
| Entry evaluation for students |
Reading and Maths for applicants to grades 3-12
|
| Brief description of entry evaluation required |
CEM Reading and Maths Assessment
|
| Waiting list |
Grades become full around 3-6 months before the start of the new school year in August.
|
| Deadline for registration (new academic year) |
There is no application deadline. |
| Students can join after academic year begins |
Yes, students can start on any week of the school year except for grades 11 and 12. |
School day
| School start time |
08:00 |
| School finish time |
15:00 |
| Supervised care before/after school |
Students are supervised from 07:15-08:00 and during break times. There is no supervision provided after the school day. |
| School bus service available |
Yes |
| School provided lunches |
Yes - all food is cooked on campus by a family-run catering company |
| Food alternatives for special dietary needs (ie. vegan, kosher, halal etc) |
Yes |
| Uniform required |
Yes |
Extracurricular activities
| Extracurricular activities or clubs offered |
Over 100 after-school / co-curricular activities and programmes are offered, including competitive sports, technology, arts, music and more. |
| Sports activities included |
Weekly swimming lesson in most grades and 1-2 sports lessons per week. |
| Sports teams or sport competitions available for students |
The following sports are offered at a professional, competitive level: swimming, football, basketball, volleyball, badminton, athletics, golf and table tennis. |
Facilities
| 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 |
Olympic-sized, covered swimming pool, sports field, football pitch, gym, 3 indoor sports halls, dance studios, martial arts arena, play areas and playgrounds |
About the school
| Qualities and characteristics best defining the school |
GESS is one of Asia’s leading holistic international schools, offering an exceptional education to children aged 2 to 18. Being one of a select number of global international schools to be successfully accredited by five education organisations, GESS is known for its innovative teaching and learning. GESS offers a personalised education with students are encouraged to expand their learning outside of the classroom through experiential learning, and over 100 programmes and activities. In 2021, GESS partnered with 15 leading global companies and organisations to create an exclusive BeyondClassrooms programme. This gives GESS students unique real-world insights into the working world through internships, industry expert talks and hands-on STEM programmes. GESS truly believes in giving its students the freedom to grow and discover their passions. |
| Teaching approach of the school |
GESS offers a personalised, student-centred education. Teachers differentiate to cater to our students' different learning styles, abilities, and needs. Our academic approach is to equip and nurture our students with skills and concepts that will allow them to be successful in a rapidly changing world. |