The Integrated Programme (IP) is a unique education path for high-performing students that will bypass the traditional ‘O’ level exams and go straight to ‘A’ levels, NUS High School Diploma, or an International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma. It is only available to approximately the top 10% of students, which means they are the cream of the crop that can benefit from a more flexible, enriched curriculum that emphasizes a broader education.
However, the IP also comes with its share of challenges. Without the ‘O’ levels to monitor their progress, there isn’t a benchmark for parents, teachers, and the students themselves to gauge their academic abilities. In addition, the IP is a grueling, challenging programme with a rigorous curriculum that some students might struggle with.
Overview of Our IP Tutoring Services
Integrated Programme Tuition
The Integrated Programme (IP) in Singapore is a prestigious programme designed for top students that want to take on a more challenging curriculum. With an emphasis on academic success, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, the IP prepares students for top universities as well as professional success in leadership positions. However, it is more rigorous than the normal curriculum and students might have difficulty coping. That’s when IP tuition comes in.
Regardless of the subject, our experienced IP tutors are extensively trained in the syllabus and extra rigors of the programme. Not only will they vigorously prepare their students for their ‘A’ levels, but they will also closely monitor and regularly assess students to ensure they are on track.
Integrated Programme English
English is a critical language not just academically but also throughout life. Communication skills are paramount to professional success, and language skills start in school. IP English requires strong interpretive and analytical skills, more sophisticated writing skills, and a deeper exploration of literary texts that students might struggle with, especially if they speak another language at home or with friends.
IP English tuition will focus on essay and creative writing, listening and reading comprehension, critical thinking and argumentative debate, and advanced grammar and vocabulary. With tailored lesson plans and extensive practice, tutors will prepare students for the grueling ‘A’ level exams.
Integrated Programme Science (Lower Secondary)
IP Science during lower secondary builds a foundation and sets the stage for more complex scientific topics soon to come. The subject is designed to cultivate a thorough understanding of basic scientific principles while fostering curiosity and love for learning about the physical world around us. Students will be introduced to the basics of biology, chemistry, and physics in preparation for greater depth and complexity.
Tutors will expose students to hands-on experiments and independent research to help expand on the school curriculum and develop their practical skills and critical thinking, applying theoretical knowledge to real-world examples to ensure relevance.
Integrated Programme Chemistry (Upper Secondary)
IP Chemistry branches out from lower secondary science and focuses on the in-depth exploration of chemical principles and their applications. The curriculum includes complex topics such as Atomic Structure, Chemical Bonding and Formulae, Acids and Bases, and the Periodic Table of Elements. This is a complex subject that students often struggle with, especially if they do not have a strong foundation in science.
IP Chemistry tutors will focus on establishing strong fundamentals upon which more complex topics can be built. By providing lots of real-world examples and fostering critical thinking skills, students will be more prepared for higher-level studies and be able to effectively prepare for their ‘A’ levels.
Integrated Programme Physics (Upper Secondary)
IP Physics is a rigorous, comprehensive study of complex concepts such as Kinematics, Dynamics, Energy, Force, and the Electromagnetic Spectrum. The challenging syllabus will expose students to advanced topics that require a thorough understanding of the principles that govern our physical world. Many students struggle with physics as they fail to see the relevance of these complicated principles and how they affect their daily lives.
Our IP Physics tutors will help students apply theoretical knowledge to real-world examples to maintain relevance and pique interest. Through customised lesson plans, tutors will help students strengthen their understanding of basic concepts before moving on to more complex topics in preparation of their ‘A’ levels.
Integrated Programme Math
Math is all around us and mastering the subject paves the way for professional fields such as engineering, data analytics, and statistics. IP Math will cover a broad range of topics including simultaneous equations, linear functions and graphs, ratios, geometry, probability, and statistics. Mastering basic math is key to succeeding in the subject, and if knowledge gaps develop, it can be incredibly difficult to keep up with the rest of the class.
Our IP Math tutors will closely monitor and test their students to ensure that there aren’t any weaknesses or knowledge gaps, giving feedback and guidance whenever necessary.
Our Private Integrated Programme (IP) Tutors
Our IP tutors come from all walks of life and are specifically trained to teach high-performing students. They understand that top students require a specialized approach that challenges their abilities, pushes their intellectual capacities and supports overall development not just academically, but also in life.
Our IP tutors have qualifications that range from Bachelor’s Degrees to PhDs in numerous disciplines depending on what they specialize on. However, we painstakingly select our tutors not just based on qualifications but also on traits like versatility, problem-solving skills, kindness, and empathy. The majority of our tutors establish a deep, nurturing mentorship with their students who stay with them throughout the six-year IP programme.
Educational Philosophy and Approach
Our Educational Philosophy and Approach for IP Tutoring
We pride ourselves in providing all our students with an engaging and supportive environment for them to be their best.
We believe that each student is different, which is why we don’t have a one-size-fits-all tutoring approach. Every student learns differently and at different paces, so we tailor all each one’s lesson plan according to his or her unique needs and styles. IP students are also offered content that goes beyond the standard curriculum, including more advanced topics for each of the subjects or deeper exploration of existing ones.
Students are also encouraged to pursue independent learning outside of the standard curriculum. This could be done through educational documentaries, additional reading, or analysis of current events. This creates opportunities for high-performing students to explore knowledge at their own pace and depth, promoting creativity and innovation.
Why Have Private IP Tuition
Common Challenges In the Integrated Programme
The IP is designed for high-performing students but unfortunately, this also means increased pressure to perform academically. This pressure can cause stress and anxiety, especially in adolescents, leading to mental health conditions that can last well into adulthood. Burnout is common in students who constantly feel the need to excel academically, and many top students also suffer from conditions such as nausea, headaches, and insomnia, especially if they are struggling in school.
IP students often face time management challenges as they juggle numerous subjects, study time, homework, ECAs, and out-of-school activities. With IP’s demanding curriculum, students require a higher level of maturity, discipline, and time management skills to avoid becoming overwhelmed by their commitments which will impact their academic performance and overall well-being.
One key difference between the Integrated Programme and normal academic paths is the lack of ‘O’ level exams, which makes it challenging for a student to gauge their academic progress. Without that key milestone, students may lack feedback and a sense of accomplishment that comes with succeeding in a major exam.
This can lead to uncertainty about their academic prowess and a sense of doubt. In addition, parents might also struggle to see how well their children are performing, adding to more pressure and potentially causing stress and anxiety.
The Integrated Programme encourages independent learning which can be difficult for students that are used to the more structured, lecture-style approach of primary school. In IP, students are pushed to take more responsibility for their education, adopting independent research, and manage their curriculum more independently.
While this fosters critical thinking and problem-solving skills, not all students are ready for such a dramatic shift. The less disciplined or those lacking proper study habits might struggle to keep up with the fast-paced IP curriculum, leading to a lack of motivation or interest.