Getting into GEP is often considered an honour and a great feat. Most parents are concerned about what their child will be doing in GEP, and getting them the support they need for this exclusive programme.
However, more forward-thinking parents will also have this question hanging above their heads: What happens after GEP? Is there GEP in secondary school? Does GEP give their child an advantage in getting into a good school?
In this article, we answer some of these common questions and more about where GEP students go after primary school!
(Still unsure what GEP is all about? Read our explainer here!)
Does GEP help my child perform better at the PSLE?
There is no guarantee that GEP students will do well at PSLE. As the programme is not exam-focused in nature, its goal is not to train students to perform well at the PSLE.
In fact, GEP students will spend less curriculum time preparing for the PSLE because of the time allocated to their extra study activities like research projects.
Do GEP students have any advantage when applying to secondary schools?
Strictly speaking, no. Your child will not receive any additional points for PSLE or anything like that. In this regard, GEP is purely for enrichment, and does not give your child any advantage for the PSLE. Secondary school posting is still very much dependent on your child’s PSLE score.
However, being a GEP student can give you an indirect advantage in other ways.
Firstly, when your child is first selected into GEP, you have the chance transfer them into a school with affiliation to a good secondary school. These schools include Nanyang Primary School (affiliated to Nanyang Girls’ High School) and Catholic High School (Primary) (affiliated to Catholic High School). But of course, expect stiff competition for places into these schools!
Secondly, being a GEP student offers your child plenty more opportunities and training to get them ready for external academic competitions and certifications, such as Math Olympiads, science competitions, and research projects. These boost your child’s academic resume, increasing their chances of being accepted through DSA into a secondary school of their choice.
Will my child continue GEP in secondary school?
If you would like your child to continue in a gifted education stream, you have to enter your GEP child into a secondary school with a gifted programme, now coined School-Based Gifted Education (SBGE). However, note that there is no advantage or guarantee for GEP students to enter into schools with SBGE.
The exact entry requirements and execution of SBGE is managed by each school. For example, in Dunman High School, all former GEP students from primary school will be placed into SBGE classes along with other high ability students. But from Year 3 onwards, their participation in SBGE will be re-assessed based on teacher recommendation and merit.
List of IP schools offering SBGE:
- Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
- Dunman High School
- Hwa Chong Institution
- Nanyang Girls’ High School
- NUS High School of Mathematics and Science
- Raffles Girls’ School (Secondary)
- Raffles Institution (Secondary)
What can I expect in SBGE?
As SBGE is managed independently by each school, the programmes and curricula may differ quite vastly.
Most schools have their own slew of talent programmes for SBGE students, such as accelerated classes, STEM talent programmes, individualised research projects, symposiums, and more.
For more information on each school’s SBGE curriculum, it is best to find out directly from the schools of your interest.
Helping your child through GEP
As seen, GEP is not a one-way ticket to good results or a good school. However, you can definitely make the best of this experience to nurture your child’s learning ability, talents, and interests.
If you find that your child needs extra support in preparing for the PSLE as they are spending too much time on other projects in school, we can help, too! We welcome GEP students for English, Math, and Science tuition, in specialised small group classes for high-ability students.
Contact us to know more about our GEP classes and tutors today!