After 17 years of providing academic support through its tuition centres, Toppers Education Centre is taking its next step in education with the launch of Toppers International School.
Located at Sai Ho Building, 777 Upper Serangoon Road, S534645, the new school will offer the Cambridge curriculum, with classes commencing on July 20. The school’s first intake will comprise Grade 6, Grade 7 and Grade 8 students under the Cambridge Lower Secondary Programme (CLSP), with 12 students in each level and a total intake of 36 students.
Toppers International School plans to progressively expand its academic offerings to include the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) programme for Grades 9 and 10, followed by AS (Advanced Subsidiary) and A Levels for Grades 11 and 12.
Leading the school is Principal Dr P. Padmanabhan, an eminent scientist and former Senior Deputy Director of the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine at Nanyang Technological University (NTU), where he served from 2017 to 2026.
Having guided Toppers Education Centre’s educational initiatives over the past several years, Dr Padmanabhan brings extensive experience in academic leadership, curriculum development and educational planning. He will oversee the school’s academic direction and support its long-term growth and development.
The school also has a team of experienced educators in place, with further recruitment underway to support future growth. All teachers hold at least a master’s degree and have between five to 10 years of experience.
The move into school education comes after 17 years of operating tuition centres in Singapore. Toppers Education Centre currently runs three centres across the island, all of which will continue to operate alongside the new international school.
According to the school, the new launch was driven by increasing demand from parents seeking an international curriculum that combines quality education with affordability. While international school fees can often be a major consideration for families, Toppers aims to provide a more accessible option without compromising on academic standards.
The school’s academic framework is built around the Cambridge curriculum, which emphasises conceptual understanding, critical thinking and enquiry-based learning. Combined with a teacher-to-student ratio of approximately 1:12, the school aims to provide greater individual attention and a more personalised learning experience.
At the heart of the school’s approach is what it calls the “Complete-Finish School” model, which seeks to provide students with comprehensive support from lower secondary education through to university admission.
“We want parents to feel confident that their child’s academic needs are fully taken care of within the school,” said Mr G. Pradeep, Director of Toppers International School. “Students should not need to rely on external support such as tuition. Through small class sizes, mentoring and personalised attention, we aim to provide everything they need to succeed academically.”
Under this model, each student will be paired with a dedicated mentor who will track their progress and provide guidance throughout their schooling years. The school will also offer university admissions counselling and career guidance to help students prepare for higher education and future pathways.
To further support students’ aspirations, Toppers International School plans to introduce complimentary preparation programmes for examinations such as SAT, UCAT, IIT-JEE and NEET at no additional cost.
Beyond academics, students will have access to an international advisory board comprising professionals from various fields around the world. Members of the advisory board will engage with students through mentoring sessions, talks and academic consultations, while also contributing to curriculum development and learning resources.
Looking ahead, Toppers International School plans to remain a boutique institution focused on secondary-level education from Grades 6 to 12. The organisation is also exploring the introduction of the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum in the future and has plans to expand to additional campuses across Singapore in the coming years.
To mark its launch, the school will hold an Open House on July 4 and 5 from 10am to 4pm. Prospective students and parents will have the opportunity to tour the campus, meet members of the academic team and learn more about the school’s curriculum and educational approach.
Students who enrol during the Open House will have their school fees fixed for two academic years, providing families with greater certainty when planning their educational expenses.
With the launch of Toppers International School, the organisation is extending its role from supplementary education provider to full-fledged school, with the aim of supporting students from lower secondary education through to university preparation.
