CUSTOMISED PROGRAMMES

School: Junyuan Primary School

Location: Tampines

PSLE results: Last year, slightly over half of its pupils qualified for the Express stream in secondary schools.

Niche programmes:

• All pupils from Primary 1 to 3 go through weekly structured lessons in sports and arts. These lessons are in areas such as dance, swimming and badminton. Talent identification can also take place.

• The school has a mentoring programme for pupils who lack home support. Temasek Polytechnic students meet these children weekly and act as role models, guiding them in school work and imparting good values.

• Principal Law Li Mei said: 'We customise our programmes to fit the different needs of the children. For those with high ability, we do pull them out for lessons where they are taught higher-order logic and questioning techniques.'

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TEACHERS WHO CARE

School: Horizon Primary School

Location: Punggol

PSLE results: A new school set up last year. It now has 400 pupils from Primary 1 to 4.

Niche programmes:

• Philosophy is incorporated into English lessons for all Primary 2 pupils. They are taught questioning techniques and are encouraged to think critically and debate.

• Pupils take part in structured lessons on the environment, where they listen to talks, visit parks and take part in recycling efforts.

• Each week, story-telling, role-playing and games are used to instill in pupils Stephen Covey's seven habits of highly effective people.

• Principal Ang Chin Du said: 'From the feedback of parents so far, I think one distinguishing feature of the school is its very caring teachers, who create a joyful learning environment... There are more than 30 parents now on the waiting list for transfers to the school.'

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EVERY PUPIL IS UNIQUE

School: Woodlands Primary School

Location: Woodlands

PSLE results: As of last year, some 65 per cent of its pupils made it to the Express stream in secondary schools. The school has achieved quality passes (A and A* grades) in English, mathematics and science.

Niche programmes:

• Structured weekly lessons for all Primary 3 and 4 pupils, where they are taught questioning techniques and inquiry skills.

• A whole-school approach towards promoting good health, including talks to highlight good nutrition and workshops to develop social skills and mental health.

• A six-year choral programme where pupils pick up basic singing skills, learn how to dance and play the ukulele.

• Principal Kit Gek Wah said: 'We recognise every pupil is unique and it is the school's duty and responsibility to develop each pupil to his or her fullest potential.'

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IDENTIFYING WEAK AREAS

School: Guangyang Primary School

Location: Currently in Ang Mo Kio but will be relocated to Bishan next year.

PSLE results: Some 73 per cent of its pupils made it to the Express stream last year.

Niche programmes:

• A six-year music programme where every child learns how to play a range of musical instruments, and to compose simple songs on the computer.

• A science programme targeted at high ability pupils from Primary 3 to 5. Pupils select topics of interest and carry out research, with help from teachers.

• Principal Susan Wu said: 'We had a meeting to identify areas of weakness. One example of an improvement is in our worksheets. We made them more focused so that pupils can work on one area at a time. We also developed differentiated instructions for children of different ability.'