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English tuition for Yishun Town Secondary School students
Live online English tuition for Yishun Town Secondary School students in secondary 1–4. Bring recent schoolwork and teacher feedback so our tutors can see where your child needs help and plan the lessons.
Secondary 1–4
Courses and years
National secondary English
Years 1–4
Bring recent schoolwork and the current topic list so we can choose a suitable class.
Study guide · 01
English tuition in Sec 1–2 and Sec 3–4: what changes?
In Secondary 1 and 2, students meet longer texts, unfamiliar vocabulary and ideas spread across several paragraphs. We help them follow the passage and use details to support an answer. Writing lessons focus on developing a paragraph and keeping a composition on track.
Short tasks help us see where a student needs help. Can they point to the words that support an answer? Explain why a paragraph is there? Rewrite an unclear sentence? Their answers show us whether to work on understanding, organisation or expression.
In Secondary 3 and 4, students practise complete responses and timed sections. We look for mistakes that keep appearing: an inference without evidence, a missing point in situational writing, or an oral answer that needs more explanation. The next task gives the student practice with that specific problem.
Study guide · 02
How to improve English comprehension: explain the evidence
A comprehension answer starts with the question. “What happened?” calls for information; “Why?” asks for a cause or reason; an inference requires an explanation supported by the text. Before writing, identify the relevant lines and decide what those lines establish. The evidence should fit the exact question, including any part that asks for the effect on a character or reader.
Vocabulary practice works best in context. Keep the sentence in which the word appears, write a meaning that fits that sentence and check how a replacement changes its tone. A word can have several meanings, and a memorised synonym can be unsuitable for the passage. For an own-words response, preserve the original relationship between ideas while changing the expression.
The task
Practice passage: “Maya read the acceptance letter twice, then placed it carefully beside her unfinished application forms.” What suggests that this letter matters to Maya?
Worked response
A supported answer: Reading it twice and setting it aside carefully suggest that Maya values the acceptance and gives it special attention.
The answer uses Maya’s two actions to explain why the letter matters. It stays within the information in the extract. With a longer passage, students should also check the surrounding sentences.
Study guide · 03
How to improve composition and situational writing
Composition practice needs a purpose beyond finishing the word count. For a narrative, decide what changes for the central character and which events cause that change. Give important moments enough space; a long introduction can leave the turning point rushed. For an argument, state a position that answers the question and build paragraphs around reasons that can be explained and tested.
Situational writing starts with audience, purpose and required information. A proposal to a school leader needs a clear recommendation and practical justification. An email to a friend may use a different tone. Plan the content requirements before drafting, then check that each one has been developed in a way that helps the reader act or understand.
Revise the ideas first: does the answer address the question, follow a clear order and explain its points? Then check sentence boundaries, tense, agreement, vocabulary and punctuation. Keep a short note of mistakes to watch for in the next piece of writing.
Study guide · 04
A practical weekly English revision routine
Spread practice across reading, writing and speaking. One short reading task can focus on explaining an inference; a writing task can develop one paragraph; a spoken response can practise giving a reason and a concrete example. These tasks are small enough to review closely. Occasional full papers or complete compositions then show whether the skills work together.
Practice between classes helps our tutors plan the next lesson. Students get instant marking on platform exercises and revisit earlier questions through spaced review. Tutors discuss writing and spoken responses with the student, including how they chose and explained their ideas.
Compare similar tasks your child has completed without help. Look for an inference they can explain, a paragraph with a well-supported point, or an oral answer that handles a follow-up question. Keep the school feedback alongside these attempts to see what still needs work.
Your class
Lessons and practice, every week
Class registration for the 2027 school year is open.
Trial
$30 subsidised trial rate
A dedicated trial session at a different timeslot is offered at a subsidised rate of $30. We’ll help you explore the available options.
Class format
Live online
Weekly duration
1.5 hours
Levels
Secondary 1–4
Between lessons
Subject practice on the DeepThink platform
Practice is included as part of the classes.
Registration
2027 school year
Open now. Request a trial class and we will message you to confirm the level and schedule.
Meet your tutor
Try a English class
Class registration for the 2027 school year is open. Bring recent schoolwork to help us plan a useful first lesson.
About Yishun Town Secondary School
PSLE cut-off point for Yishun Town Secondary School
MOE publishes the PSLE score of the first and the last student posted into each school at each posting group. Below are Yishun Town Secondary School's figures for the 2026 Secondary 1 intake — the 2025 PSLE cohort. The last student's score is what is usually meant by the school's cut-off point.
| Posting group | PSLE score range |
|---|---|
| Posting Group 3 | AL 5–13 |
| Posting Group 2 | AL 21–22 |
| Posting Group 1 | AL 25–27 |
Cut-off points move by a few points from year to year, and not every student who met the cut-off was posted here — some are tie-broken out. Read these as a guide to where a school sits, not as a threshold to clear.
Actual 2026 Secondary 1 intake, from MOE School Finder — last verified on 12 August 2026. MOE School Finder ↗
About Yishun Town Secondary School
Yishun Town Secondary School (YTSS) is a co-educational government autonomous secondary school in Yishun, Singapore.
School Overview
Yishun Town Secondary School (YTSS) opened its doors in January 1986 as a government school serving the Yishun residential estate. The school was formally inaugurated on 29 July 1988 by then-Acting Minister for Education Dr Tony Tan. It started with nine classes and a team of 13 founding teachers, initially operating from shared premises with a neighbouring school before relocating to its permanent campus. In 2010, the Ministry of Education conferred autonomous status on YTSS in recognition of its sustained academic performance and educational innovation. The school has now been in operation for over 38 years.
YTSS is a co-educational, single-session government autonomous school with an enrolment of approximately 1,400 students drawn from varied backgrounds. Guided by the motto "We Will Excel," the school operates on the belief that every student possesses the capacity to learn, grow, and succeed. Its vision statement — "A Community of Leaders, A Fraternity of Professionals, A School of Distinction" — is paired with the mission of "Transforming Hearts and Minds, Empowering Lives," reflecting a commitment to holistic education grounded in values such as resilience, integrity, and lifelong learning.
A distinctive feature of YTSS is its Language Elective Programme (LEP) in Tamil, placing it among a small number of secondary schools that provide this form of bilingual enrichment and cultural immersion. The school also runs focused programmes in science and technology, alongside support structures for students with diverse learning needs.
Admission Process
Entry to YTSS follows Singapore's standard secondary school posting process. As a non-affiliated school, admission is determined by PSLE Achievement Level (AL) scores. For the 2025 intake (based on 2024 PSLE results), the indicative cut-off points were: Posting Group 1 (Express) 25 to 27, Posting Group 2 (Normal Academic) 21 to 22, and Posting Group 3 (Normal Technical) 6 to 12. These figures represent the score of the last student offered a place in that cycle and may shift each year depending on demand.
YTSS also participates in Direct School Admission (DSA). For the 2025 intake, the school accepted DSA applications in Basketball for both boys and girls. DSA applications are submitted through the MOE portal, typically between May and June, with selection trials and interviews conducted in the following weeks.
Once enrolled, students are placed under Full Subject-Based Banding (SBB), which allows them to take individual subjects at different levels based on their strengths rather than being locked into a single stream. YTSS does not offer the Integrated Programme (IP); students follow O-Level pathways through the Express, Normal (Academic), or Normal (Technical) tracks.
Curriculum and Academic Programme
The academic programme at YTSS covers a comprehensive range of O-Level subjects, supplemented by school-specific enrichment. Core subjects include English Language, Mathematics (Elementary and Additional), Sciences (Biology, Chemistry, Physics), and Humanities (Social Studies, Geography, History). Students can also take electives such as Principles of Accounts, Higher Art, Literature in Tamil, Higher Chinese, and Malay Language. The Full Subject-Based Banding framework gives students the flexibility to study different subjects at varying proficiency levels.
Academic results at YTSS have been consistently strong. In the 2024 O-Level examinations, 87.7% of students obtained at least five passes, while 97.3% achieved three or more passes. The school has received the Sustained Achievement Award for Academics and earned value-added recognition in its Normal stream results. Notable alumni include Tan Hui Ting, who was the 2007 O-Level National Top Scorer, and more recent awardees Julia Stoelwinder and Ng Ruo Xi, who received 2024 MOE Special Awards. YTSS students have also been recipients of the Lee Kuan Yew Award for Outstanding Normal Course Students.
Facilities and Co-Curricular Activities
The YTSS campus features air-conditioned smart classrooms equipped with interactive technology, well-resourced science and computer laboratories, a library, and dedicated spaces for the arts and environmental science. The school has also added an indoor sports hall, a multipurpose hall, and two lecture theatres in recent years.
Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) are compulsory for all students and form a core part of the school's holistic education approach. YTSS offers more than 20 CCAs across four categories:
Sports and Games: Basketball, Bowling, Shooting, Table Tennis, and Volleyball.
Uniformed Groups: Boys' Brigade, Girl Guides, National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC), and National Cadet Corps (NCC).
Performing Arts: Chinese Dance, English Drama, Choir, and Concert Band.
Clubs and Societies: Art and Crafts, International Chess, Photography, Infocomm Technology (Computing), and Environmental Science.
CCA participation contributes to character development and can also strengthen a student's profile for future DSA applications.
Student Life and School Culture
School culture at YTSS centres on empathy, mutual respect, and personal growth. The school operates a single-session timetable with structured lessons and designated breaks. Class sizes are approximately 40 students, and pastoral care is provided through counselling services, anti-bullying programmes, and inclusivity initiatives aligned with MOE guidelines on student well-being.
Students at YTSS — sometimes referred to as "YTzens" — participate in resilience-building assemblies, peer mentoring programmes, and house activities that foster a sense of belonging. Parents and current students frequently highlight the supportive teacher-student relationships as a defining characteristic of the school.
The school's Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) programme develops social-emotional competencies through values lessons, process drama, and service learning projects. The Internationalisation Programme further broadens students' perspectives through cross-cultural learning experiences and overseas trips.
Frequently Asked Questions about Yishun Town Secondary School
Is Yishun Town Secondary School a good school?
YTSS is an autonomous government school that has maintained strong academic results and a well-rounded co-curricular programme. It received autonomous status from MOE in 2010 and has been recognised with awards including the Sustained Achievement Award for Academics. The school places emphasis on character development, leadership, and active citizenship alongside academic achievement.
Is Yishun Town Secondary School a co-educational school?
Yes. Yishun Town Secondary School is a co-educational, single-session government autonomous school that enrols both boys and girls.
Does Singapore officially rank secondary schools?
No. The Ministry of Education does not publish official rankings of secondary schools. YTSS is recognised as an autonomous school, which reflects its sustained high standards in teaching and student outcomes.
What are the PSLE cut-off points for Yishun Town Secondary School?
Based on the 2024 PSLE results for the 2025 intake, the indicative cut-off points were: Posting Group 1 (Express) 25 to 27, Posting Group 2 (Normal Academic) 21 to 22, and Posting Group 3 (Normal Technical) 6 to 12. These figures represent the score of the last admitted student and may vary annually. Parents should check the MOE website for the latest figures after the S1 posting exercise.
What is the history of Yishun Town Secondary School?
YTSS was founded in January 1986 with nine classes and 13 pioneer teachers. The school initially shared premises with Yishun Secondary School before moving to its own campus at Yishun Street 21, where it was officially opened on 29 July 1988. The school achieved autonomous status in 2010 and has continued to develop its facilities and programmes over the years.
What O-Level subjects does Yishun Town Secondary School offer?
The school offers O-Level subjects including English Language, Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, History, Literature in English, Chinese Language, Higher Chinese Language, Malay Language, Principles of Accounts, Higher Art, and Humanities combinations (Social Studies with Geography or History). YTSS also runs the Language Elective Programme in Tamil. Subject offerings may change between intake years.
What CCAs are available at Yishun Town Secondary School?
YTSS offers more than 20 CCAs. Sports options include Basketball, Bowling, Shooting, Table Tennis, and Volleyball. Uniformed Groups include the Boys' Brigade, Girl Guides, NPCC, and NCC. Performing Arts groups include Choir, Chinese Dance, English Drama, and Concert Band. Clubs and Societies cover Art and Crafts, International Chess, Photography, Infocomm Technology, and Environmental Science.
How does subject-based banding work at Yishun Town Secondary School?
YTSS implements Full Subject-Based Banding (SBB), which allows students to take subjects at different levels (G1, G2, G3) according to their individual strengths and interests. Rather than being placed in a fixed stream, students study in mixed form classes and can adjust their subject levels over time, providing more flexibility in their academic pathway.
How does Yishun Town Secondary School support the transition from primary to secondary school?
The school runs orientation programmes and leadership training to help incoming students settle in. Mixed form classes under Full SBB provide a supportive peer environment, and the Character and Citizenship Education programme builds social-emotional skills through structured lessons and service learning projects.
What are the school fees at Yishun Town Secondary School?
As a government school, YTSS charges the standard monthly fees set by MOE for Singapore citizens. Financial support is available through the MOE Financial Assistance Scheme for eligible families. Parents should refer to the MOE website or contact the school directly for current fee details.
What facilities does Yishun Town Secondary School have?
The campus includes air-conditioned smart classrooms, science and computer laboratories, a library, an indoor sports hall, a multipurpose hall, two lecture theatres, arts studios, and a dedicated environmental science space. The school also has access to a shared artificial football field with a neighbouring primary school.
What achievements has Yishun Town Secondary School received?
YTSS has been awarded autonomous status (2010), the Sustained Achievement Award for Academics, and the Best Practices Award for Teaching and Learning. Students have received honours including the Lee Kuan Yew Award for Outstanding Normal Course Students and MOE Special Awards.
Does Yishun Town Secondary School offer Direct School Admission (DSA)?
Yes. For the 2025 intake, YTSS offered DSA places in Basketball for both boys and girls. Applications are made through the MOE DSA portal, typically between May and June, with selection trials and interviews following. Parents should check the MOE portal each year for the latest available categories.
What are the vision, mission, and values of Yishun Town Secondary School?
The school's vision is "A Community of Leaders, A Fraternity of Professionals, A School of Distinction." Its mission is "Transforming Hearts and Minds, Empowering Lives." Core values include integrity, respect, gratitude, and resilience, which are woven into the school's programmes aimed at developing confident leaders and responsible citizens.
What does the Character and Citizenship Education programme involve?
The CCE programme at YTSS develops students' knowledge, skills, and values through structured lessons, process drama, and service learning projects. It aims to nurture critical thinking, social responsibility, and global awareness alongside personal character.
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Class registration for the 2027 school year is open.