Cities / Singapore / North London Collegiate School Singapore
North London Collegiate School Singapore
North London Collegiate School Singapore is a British curriculum school that opened in 2020, positioning itself as an international associate of the prestigious London institution. However, a recent Financial Times investigation and teacher discussions reveal serious concerns about leadership, safeguarding…
In brief
Founded in 2020 as part of the NLCS global network, the Singapore campus follows the British curriculum and IB programmes for students aged 4-18. The school operates from a purpose-built campus and features a house system named after Singapore's native trees - Chengal, Banjitan, Kerowing, and Moranti. Owned by the for-profit SOBHA Group, an Indian real estate development company, the school charges premium fees while targeting families seeking British education with the prestige of the North London Collegiate School brand.
Recent investigations and teacher testimonials paint a troubling picture beneath the polished marketing. Multiple former staff members describe serious health and safety issues including mold problems, structural deficiencies, insect infestations, and flooding in school buildings. Teachers report being asked to work on tourist permits, experiencing poor management practices, and receiving salaries approximately 20% lower than comparable schools like Tanglin Trust. Former students and staff describe frequent leadership changes, with reports of discrimination and toxic workplace culture under previous leadership.
Strengths
- Connection to prestigious North London Collegiate School London brand and network
- British curriculum pathway with IB programmes available
- Purpose-built facilities with house system promoting community
- Academic rigour with high expectations and homework levels
- International school community serving expatriate families
Considerations
- Recent Financial Times investigation highlighting serious safeguarding and operational concerns
- Multiple reports of poor working conditions and staff retention issues
- Building quality problems including mold, flooding, and structural issues
- Teacher salaries reportedly 20% below comparable Singapore international schools
- Frequent leadership changes creating institutional instability
- For-profit ownership model potentially limiting educational resources
- Very new school (2020) with limited track record compared to established Singapore institutions
Academics
Class of 2025: IB Average Score 36.7, 100% Pass Rate, 25% scored 40+ points, 65% awarded Bilingual Diplomas. NLCS Singapore, WhichSchoolAdvisor. Class of 2024 (November session): IB Average Score 36.5, 100% Pass Rate, 25% scored 40+.
School life
Over 150 CCAs weekly. Sports: Football, Basketball, Tennis, Badminton, Swimming (first-ever championships in 2023), Rugby, Netball, Volleyball, Climbing (climbing wall on campus), Golf, Artistic Swimming, Scuba, Gymnastics, Parkour, Wrestling. Arts/Music: School Musical (e.
Campus size: Not published in acres/hectares; built-up area approximately 300,000 sq ft. Swimming pool: Six-lane, 50-metre Olympic-sized pool. Sports facilities: 1,420 sq m indoor sports hall (basketball, badminton), climbing wall, flood-lit AstroTurf football pitch, cricket pitches, tennis and basketball courts, gym.
Student body
Total enrolment: Approximately 1,429 students (as of 2026/ Teacher Horizons), initial cohort was ~400 in 2020. Nationalities: Over 40 nationalities represented. Student-Teacher Ratio: Overall approx 9:1 (based on 1,429 students and 160 staff).
Fees
| Fee | Age | Type | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-KG / FS1 and KG 1 / FS2 | 3 | Annual | SGD 37,563 |
| KG 2 / Year 1 and Grade 1 / Year 2 | 4 | Annual | SGD 45,166 |
| Grade 2 / Year 3 to Grade 5 / Year 6 | 6 | Annual | SGD 46,307 |
| Grade 6 / Year 7 to Grade 8 / Year 9 | 10 | Annual | SGD 51,480 |
| Grade 9 / Year 10 and Grade 10 / Year 11 | 13 | Annual | SGD 53,427 |
| Grade 11 / Year 12 and Grade 12 / Year 13 | 15 | Annual | SGD 55,733 |
| Application Fee | One-time | SGD 1,000 | |
| Capital Levy (New Students) | One-time | SGD 3,500 | |
| Enrolment Fee (New Students) | One-time | SGD 3,500 |
Reviews
Limited independent commentary is available for <a href="/international-schools/singapore/north-london-collegiate-school">North London Collegiate School Singapore</a>, and most public detail comes from a single parent survey and editorial profile. On that reading, the school positions itself as academically selective and exam-focused, with parents reporting generally strong teaching and pastoral support.
What parents report working well
On <a href="https://whichschooladvisor.com/singapore/school-review/north-london-collegiate-school-singapore">WhichSchoolAdvisor</a> (updated March 2026), parents give an average 3.3 out of 5 from 42 reviews and the profile highlights strong academic ambition, small class sizes, and a modern campus. The same survey snapshot reports high recommendation intent and satisfaction with academic performance, though this is not independently verified.
Bottom line
Treat this as a provisional picture: the only meaningful third-party source in this batch is <a href="https://whichschooladvisor.com/singapore/school-review/north-london-collegiate-school-singapore">WhichSchoolAdvisor</a>. Families weighing NLCS Singapore will want to validate day-to-day workload, co-curricular breadth and student support directly with the school and current parents.
Head of school
Paul Friend
Paul Friend is in his twentieth year as Head of School and twenty-sixth year in international education.
Accreditations
- CIS accredited 01
- COBIS accredited member 02
- FOBISIA joined 2022FOBISIA 03
Academic results
- IB Diploma 2024 average 36.52 points
- Highest score 43 points
- Students scoring 40 points or more 20%