The opening of gems World Academy last year, alongside Britain’s Dulwich has helped to ease the crisis for places in international schools. Market research shows there are about 40,000 students in more than 30 international schools here.
Gems Group executive director Dino Varkey told The Straits Times, “Our philosophy in education is to nurture every child to his fullest potential,” pointing out that despite not being an academically selective school, 99 per cent of its students make it to university, including top varsities such as Oxford, Cambridge and Stanford.
Mr. Varkley said that Gems conduct assessments on incoming children to understand their needs – “where their strengths are and where they can be given extra help”.
The Gems education group is the largest private school operator in the world that operates schools in more than a dozen countries including China, Switzerland, Britain and the United States.
Mr David Edwards heads the Singapore school, said, “The school’s focus is on all-round development. All pupils from Grades 1 to 5 (aged seven to 11), for instance, are provided with either a violin or cello. Sound-proof studios allow for one-on-one music lessons during the school day, and there are multiple orchestra groups and bands.”
The school’s sporting facilities include an Olympic-sized swimming pool, football pitch, gym and a climbing wall.