WINNER: Best Schools Award (Singapore) 2022 for the Arts

Winner of the WhichSchoolAdvisor (Singapore) Best Schools Award 2022 for Best School for the Arts is Dulwich College (Singapore).

Highly Commended is Chatsworth International School. 

How international schools in Singapore are putting the arts at the heart of their curriculum Singapore is addressing its earlier shortcomings in arts education. Today, there are plenty of international schools in Singapore that recognise the value of the arts in the curriculum – and bring it to the fore in the daily timetable.

Specialist teachers are often brought in to teach creative subjects from early years (as young as three) up to sixth form. Dedicated facilities ensure that art, drama and music are not side lined, and schools are investing to provide the extra resources needed for arts-based IGCSEs, A Levels, BTECs and modules in the IBDP.  Also, students are being given the opportunity to participate in a variety of musical ensembles, art exhibitions, original plays, full-blown musicals and choral concerts.

But what makes an international school here truly outstanding for the arts?
In this Award category, we were looking for schools that incorporate art, music and the performing arts into their core curriculum, with as much attention as the core academic subjects. We asked, which schools can show their understanding that the arts play a key role in a broad-based education and are encouraging students to develop creative skills and talents.  And which schools have invested in the arts, everything from black box theatres and recording studios to a broad collection of musical instruments from different cultures and countries?

How are the Winners and Highly Commended schools decided?
Our panel of expert judges selected the Award winners based on their strengths; feedback from parents, teachers and students in WhichSchoolAdvisor surveys; information in the Award entries submitted by schools and parents; and reviews by WhichSchoolAdvisor (Singapore) editors.

Why did Dulwich College (Singapore) win?

Strengths of the school include:

• Arts in the curriculum: The school introduces the concept of performance in the early grades; there are specialist music lessons from the age of four and, in Junior School, every student is given an instrument to take home and is taught to read music. Specialist lessons in drama and dance start for Year 3 from August 2022.
• Arts continue through the curriculum with options to study drama, dance, film and theatre at IGCSE and in the IBDP. In August 2022, Dulwich is introducing the IBCP in performing arts, in partnership with UAL (University Arts London), which will be a unique offering for Singapore’s international students.
• Facilities: The school has some impressive arts facilities that reflect the high tuition fees charged here (fees range from $36,930 for Year 1 to $47,730 in Years 12-13, making it one of the most expensive schools in Singapore); these include a 740-seat theatre, pipe organ and music technology suite.
• The school’s commitment to incorporating the arts into its core curriculum is emphasised with its investment in the SE21 Hub (opening from 2023), which is dedicated to STEAM facilities and creative learning spaces, as well as film and media suites, black box theatres and a 400-seat multi-purpose auditorium.
• Showcasing artistic talent: Artists showcase their talent through regular exhibitions and performances at the school, as well as inter-Dulwich contests such as the Dulwich Science Art Photography Competition, and whole-school events such as the MADD Festival for music, arts, dance and drama are very popular.
• Extending opportunities: One of the school’s strengths lie in the wide variety of opportunities it offers students to develop skills in the arts, whether a student enjoys visual art, theatre, dance or music, whether they are beginner or advanced. 
• The opportunities offered to the most committed and most serious about performing start from a young age. In Year 2, students can join a Shooting Stars programme. Years 3-4 are introduced to performances as diverse as film, pantomime and radio drama in Dulwich Sparks. The Ignite! development programme mentors students in areas such as acting, dancing, choreography, script writing, stage make-up, film and musical theatre – and equips students with professional actor headshots and portfolios.
• Those who want to lead can join the student music council; this gives students experience in directing student-led whole College music events, for example. And those who want to simply ‘have a go’ can sign up for a diverse choice of CCAs.
• Well-connected: The school has long-established connections with the Royal Shakespeare Company, Auckland Dance, ISTA, and LAMDA, and partnerships with the Vienna Boys’ Choir and Berklee College of Music, Boston – which brings some very exciting events and workshops to the school. It’s evidence of the school taking full advantage of its partnership with other Dulwich schools worldwide.

The Judges’ View

Judges praised Dulwich College (Singapore) for delivering a creative, ambitious and broad education in the arts. The school stands out for its supportive team of professionals, outstanding facilities and the high quality of the work produced in the music, performing arts and art departments.

The school impressed the judges with its choice of arts programmes for all ages, which is as much about developing a range of skills such as confidence, communication, creativity, self-discipline, motivation, resilience as it is preparing students for a performing arts career. It "fully understands the importance of educating students to be creatively literate and giving them the confidence to express themselves."

Judges said a stand-out feature is the Ignite! programme and the one-to-one mentorship that this offers. Lisa Scott-Lee, Founder of Dubai Performing Arts Academy and member of the British pop group STEPS, said:

“Congratulations to Dulwich College, Singapore, the Best School for the Arts. I was very impressed with how they successfully balance the importance of education alongside their inspiring arts programmes for all students from a young age, which is the foundation of their success.

“What really impressed me the most about Dulwich is their designated Ignite! Programme, which supports students who are committed to a career in music or performing arts, or who wish to maximise their potential. Dulwich go above and beyond to offer their students this unique programme, which shows their commitment to students and the arts.”

The Parents’ View

The general feedback from parents is that Dulwich College (Singapore) offers an academically rigorous curriculum as part of a balanced education that offers some exciting opportunities in the arts.

Testimonials include:

“Dulwich has an incredible reputation for academics, sports and music programmes. We are looking forward to attending our son's upcoming concert ‘live'. A great school and great teachers."

"My children love going to school and particularly enjoy everything musical. Dulwich has a very prestigious music department with many opportunities for high level performance throughout the year - the best in Singapore."

The WhichSchoolAdvisor Review

“Dulwich College (Singapore) unleashes student creativity in many ways: all students from Year 3 learn to play a musical instrument; art and drama is taught at all levels, including IGCSE; and there are annual productions, concerts and exhibitions for all year groups. Highlights on the calendar include resident workshops by the Royal Northern College of Music and the Royal Shakespeare Company.

“Dulwich College (Singapore) works with its family of DCI schools to offer students more than you’d expect from an average school. There are various annual events, hosted by a different DCI school each year, that encourage competition between students at each campus: Junior students take part in the annual D’ Oscars film-making festival, which culminates in an Oscar-style awards evening; the MADD Festival celebrates music, art, drama, and dance; the Dulwich Festival of Music, offers students workshops with professional musicians and culminates in an evening concert; and the list goes on…”

Read our full review of Dulwich College (Singapore) here.

The School's View

In its nomination for this Award, Dulwich College (Singapore) said:

“At Dulwich College (Singapore) we value all the benefits that the performing arts can bring our students and embed them into our programmes in a variety of ways.

“Some of our students will indeed go on to performing arts careers and we will help them in their pursuits and personal pathways. But why do students need to study the performing arts if they don’t?   Because in our studies, in addition to developing skills such as acting, dancing, choreography, directing or designing, we explore culture and traditions, connecting to all parts of the globe.

“We develop a range of skills such as confidence, communication, creativity, self-discipline, motivation, resilience. Qualities like independent thinking, teamwork and caring for others will not just set people apart but will ensure they can contribute to society in ways that they believe are irreplaceable.  In addition, the performing arts create safe environments for our students to take risks.”

Read more about the arts in Singapore's international schools
Where to Study the Arts in Singapore. Click here.
Why is Music an Important Part of my Child's Education? Click here.

Next: Highly Commended