Poi Ching School

Join Poi Ching P1 2027 WhatsApp group

Poi Ching School is a government-aided Special Assistance Plan (SAP) primary in Tampines, with roots back to 1919 and a strong bilingual, Chinese-language identity. Here is what it is known for, an honest read on P1 competitiveness, and practical tips passed on by current parents.

Last reviewed against official sources: 6 July 2026

During registration

Ballot history

Year	PHASE 1	2A	2A(2)	2B	2C	2C(S)	3	Total
2026live	100100/220	3535/120	–	--/20	--/40	–	–	100of 280
2025	115115/220	2525/105	–	4242/47	99212/99SC<1 (200/99)	00/0	–	281of 280+40
2024	106106/180	2222/74	–	3535/38	79192/79SC<1 (185/79)	00/0	–	242of 240
2023	9595/180	2323/85	–	4145/41	82197/82	–	–	241of 240
2022	8383/180	2929/98	–	2727/43	104197/104	00/0	–	243of 240
2021	8888/200	1111/112	1919/101	4444/61	79195/79	00/0	–	241of 240
2020	116116/200	66/84	1313/79	3636/53	70172/70	00/0	–	241of 240
2019	8181/200	33/119	1717/116	2424/70	115150/115	00/0	–	240of 240

Phases

1 — a sibling already in the school
2A — parent/sibling is an ex-pupil, or parent is staff
2B — volunteer, church/clan, or community leader
2C — open to all, no prior link
2C(S) / 3 — supplementary / non-citizen

Distance groups (ballot priority order)

1. SC<1 — Singapore Citizen within 1km
2. SC 1-2 — within 1 to 2km
3. SC>2 — beyond 2km
4. PR<1 — Permanent Resident within 1km
5. PR 1-2 — within 1 to 2km
6. PR>2 — beyond 2km

Each cell: the big number is places taken; below it, applicants / vacancies. A red cell went to a ballot, with the group and its ratio, e.g. SC 1-2 (6/5).

Your odds

Competitive in Phase 2C

In 2025, 212 applied for 99 Phase 2C places, about 47 per 100 applicants. Home distance is often the deciding factor.

Compiled from public balloting records and cross-checked against MOE and sgschooling. Every 2025 phase figure matches MOE’s official data exactly, our anchor for the earlier years. Because MOE reserves places for 2B and 2C and rounds when redistributing, the per-phase figures can add up to one or two more or less than the Total.

Poi Ching is consistently oversubscribed, so a place is not guaranteed. The verified figures below show where it bites: in an open phase like 2C, families without an earlier-phase priority are in a real ballot, where home-to-school distance and citizenship decide who gets in.

If you are weighing Poi Ching against other schools in the east, our registration guide explains how the phases and distance tiers work, and our choosing a school guide helps you build a realistic shortlist.

How a P1 place is decided

Places are offered phase by phase, in this order. Only the phases still open when you register apply to you:

Phase 1 — a sibling is already studying in the school

Phase 2A — a parent or sibling is a former pupil, or a parent is staff or a School Advisory/Management Committee member

Phase 2B — a parent is a school volunteer, an active member of a church or clan connected to the school, or a community leader

Phase 2C — open to everyone; the main phase for families with no prior link

Phase 2C Supplementary — any places still left after 2C

When a phase has more applicants than places, priority (and the ballot, if one is needed) follows this order:

1. Singapore Citizens living within 1km of the school

2. Singapore Citizens living between 1km and 2km

3. Singapore Citizens living beyond 2km

4. Permanent Residents living within 1km

5. Permanent Residents living between 1km and 2km

6. Permanent Residents living beyond 2km

Distance and citizenship are the levers most within your control. Our registration guide walks through every phase and the key dates in full.

Stage 1 · before you register

Is this school right for us?

Type

Government-aided, SAP, co-educational

Location

21 Tampines Street 71, S529067 (Tampines / East)

Affiliated secondary

None

High-ability

Not a GEP centre

Official school website

What Poi Ching is known for

Poi Ching is a Special Assistance Plan (SAP) school, so it teaches both English and Chinese at a first-language level with a strong bilingual and Chinese-culture emphasis on top of the national curriculum.

Its Applied Learning Programme (ALP), "BEST", focuses on developing a bilingual, effective speaker and writer in every pupil, in keeping with the school's languages strength.

Its Learning for Life Programme (LLP), "D'ARTS@PCS", centres on music and the performing arts. Poi Ching is not a Gifted Education Programme centre, so high-ability learners are identified through MOE's separate national screening.

Is it a fit for your family? What to weigh

Especially if you have no older child here to go on, these are the things worth checking before you put the school down.

Daily travel and distance

At 21 Tampines Street 71, in the East. Living within 1km both shortens the daily commute and puts you in the top priority tier if Phase 2C goes to a ballot, so check your home-to-school distance on MOE's locator before you commit.

Head start into secondary school

None. Poi Ching has no affiliated secondary school, so it gives no advantage in the later secondary posting.

Teaching identity

A Special Assistance Plan (SAP) school: English and Chinese are both taught at first-language level, with a strong bilingual and Chinese-culture emphasis. Its ALP builds bilingual speaking and writing; its LLP centres on music and the performing arts.

High-ability learners

Not a GEP centre. High-ability children are identified through MOE's separate national screening, which is open to pupils at any school.

A longer day for working parents

The core school day does not stretch to a full working day. Ask the school directly about its student-care option, hours and fees if you need before or after-school care.

Learning and language support

As a mainstream government-aided school it follows MOE's learning-support provisions. If your child may need specific learning or mother-tongue support, confirm what is available with the school.

Size and setting

A large, government-aided, co-educational school on a single Tampines campus, with roots back to 1919 and a distinct Chinese-language character.

Cost beyond the base fee

Government-aided fees are low for Singapore Citizens, with modest miscellaneous and enrichment charges on top. Our cost guide sets out the full picture.

No affiliated secondary school

Poi Ching has no MOE-affiliated secondary school, so a place here carries no priority route or more favourable cut-off into any particular secondary. Secondary posting follows the normal PSLE and Secondary 1 Posting Exercise.

It does, however, have a genuine clan connection: the Singapore Futsing (Fuqing) Association, a Foochow-district clan body, took over and ran the school from 1924. Because of that link, Poi Ching's Phase 2B is open (among other routes) to parents who are active members or leaders of a clan association connected to the school, so an actively involved Futsing Association member may qualify for a Phase 2B place. It is not automatic: it typically needs sustained active involvement (often about two years) and the organisation's or school's endorsement, so confirm the current Phase 2B criteria directly with the school before counting on it.

Stage 3 · after you're in

We're in. What happens now?

Visiting

Poi Ching does not appear with a fixed public open house in MOE's recent roundups, common for oversubscribed schools. Check the school's official website for any Primary 1 information session, and use MOE's school locator to confirm your home-to-school distance before registering.

Practical tips from current parents

Uniforms and PE attire

In P1 and P2, children can wear PE attire (PE top and PE shorts) on most days and generally do not need to change out of it after PE, so the formal uniform is worn only occasionally.
PE is usually about twice a week, and Programme for Active Learning (PAL) days also use PE attire.
A common buying pattern parents mention is roughly three PE sets to one uniform set. Smaller sizes tend to sell out near reopening, so buy early.
Girls can pair the PE top with PE shorts or culottes. PE shorts are lighter and easier for toilet trips; culottes are longer with a side clasp.
Plain white socks are fine and there is no compulsory branded sock. Smart watches are not allowed, but a plain watch is fine.

Books, name tags and daily items

Textbooks, workbooks and files are collected from the bookshop on assigned dates, and walk-in is usually possible too. There is no English textbook in P1; English uses readers and worksheets.
Iron-on name tags are provided through the school or bookshop rather than pre-ordered by parents, and go on the shirt pocket. The bookshop checks English names, so double-check any Chinese characters yourself, as reprints take a few weeks.
Children keep most books in school and bring home only what homework needs. The student handbook goes to school daily for recording homework and notes.
An old T-shirt works better than an apron for art lessons.

First day, apps and care

P1 orientation is on the first cohort day, and both parents may attend that first day.
The school uses the ClassDojo app to communicate; the free version is all you need, and the paid tier is optional.
Report a sick child through the school's communication app or by calling the general office.
School bus and student-care places are arranged through external operators, so expect follow-up calls and confirm the details directly with them.

Common questions

Is Poi Ching School a SAP school? +

Yes. Poi Ching is a government-aided Special Assistance Plan (SAP) school, so it teaches both English and Chinese at a first-language level, with a strong bilingual and Chinese-culture focus.

Does Poi Ching School have an affiliated secondary school? +

No. MOE lists Poi Ching with no affiliated secondary school, so P1 admission gives no priority into any secondary. Secondary posting follows the normal PSLE and Secondary 1 Posting Exercise.

How hard is it to get into Poi Ching at P1? +

It is competitive. In the 2025 exercise Poi Ching balloted in Phase 2C, with 212 applicants for 99 places, so a place is not guaranteed even for families living nearby. Living within 1km and holding an earlier-phase priority both help. Check the live vacancy and applicant numbers for your year on MOE's balloting data checker.

All primary schools in Tampines

Places taken by phase, with applicants / vacancies beneath. Ranked by how competitive the open phases were in 2025 (2C first). This school is highlighted; pick a year, or search to pin schools and compare them. Tap any school for its full ballot history.

Year

Tip: pick a school to pin it, then add another to compare side by side.

School	Phase 1	2A	2A(2)	2B	2C	2C(S)	3	Total
St. Hilda's	121121/220	102102/99	–	--/20	--/40	–	–	121of 280
Angsana	119119/220	125125/101	–	--/20	--/40	–	–	119of 280
Gongshang	9696/220	160160/124	–	--/20	--/40	–	–	96of 280
Poi Ching	100100/220	3535/120	–	--/20	--/40	–	–	100of 280
Junyuan	106106/220	8080/114	–	--/20	--/40	–	–	106of 280
Chongzheng	9595/220	4343/125	–	--/20	--/40	–	–	95of 280
Tampines	9595/260	6868/165	–	--/20	--/40	–	–	95of 320
East Spring	7575/180	33/105	–	--/20	--/40	–	–	75of 240
Tampines North	9292/220	1212/128	–	--/20	--/40	–	–	92of 280
Changkat	4343/220	77/177	–	--/20	--/40	–	–	43of 280
Yumin	5858/180	33/122	–	--/20	--/40	–	–	58of 240
St. Hilda's	129129/220	9191/91	–	2029/20SC<1 (25/20)	43136/43SC<1 (113/43)	00/0	00/0	283of 280
Angsana	142142/220	78125/78SC<1 (118/78)	–	11/20	59167/59SC<1 (164/59)	00/0	00/0	280of 280
Gongshang	113113/180	67203/67SC<1 (124/67)	–	1717/20	44117/44SC<1 (106/44)	00/0	00/0	241of 240
Poi Ching	115115/220	2525/105	–	4242/47	99212/99SC<1 (200/99)	00/0	00/0	281of 280
Junyuan	100100/220	9696/120	–	00/28	8591/85PR<1 (4/1)	00/0	00/0	281of 280
Chongzheng	7070/180	3838/110	–	1010/44	125127/125	00/0	00/0	243of 240
Tampines	9494/220	5454/126	–	22/44	8484/131	47111/47SC 1-2 (65/11)	00/0	281of 280
East Spring	5353/180	2222/127	–	00/55	5555/165	1818/111	00/93	148of 240
Tampines North	107107/260	2222/153	–	00/64	6060/191	131142/131SC 1-2 (58/57)	00/0	320of 320
Changkat	4949/220	1212/171	–	11/74	4242/220	1010/178	00/168	114of 280
Yumin	7171/220	99/149	–	00/67	1010/201	7474/191	00/117	164of 280
St. Hilda's	134134/210	76112/76SC>2 (38/2)	–	2033/20SC<1 (29/20)	41129/41SC<1 (110/41)	00/0	00/0	271of 270
Angsana	127127/220	94115/94SC<1 (111/94)	–	11/20	60155/60SC<1 (152/60)	00/0	00/0	282of 280
Gongshang	9696/180	84196/84SC<1 (103/84)	–	2020/20	4199/41SC<1 (76/41)	00/0	00/0	241of 240
Poi Ching	106106/180	2222/74	–	3535/38	79192/79SC<1 (185/79)	00/0	00/0	242of 240
Junyuan	114114/180	6693/66SC 1-2 (33/13)	–	00/20	6379/63SC 1-2 (32/23)	00/0	00/0	243of 240
Chongzheng	8181/160	4141/80	–	55/33	96122/96SC 1-2 (33/21)	00/0	00/0	223of 220
Tampines	9898/180	5959/82	–	00/28	8699/86PR 1-2 (14/3)	00/0	00/0	243of 240
East Spring	5353/160	66/107	–	11/54	6262/160	4646/98	00/52	168of 220
Tampines North	8989/220	1414/131	–	00/59	4747/177	130160/130SC 1-2 (91/77)	00/0	280of 280
Changkat	4646/180	1111/134	–	00/61	5252/183	2424/131	00/107	133of 240
Yumin	5252/180	1010/128	–	00/59	1010/179	108108/169	00/61	180of 240
St. Hilda's	107107/210	103113/103SC>2	–	2036/20SC<1	40136/40SC<1	00/0	00/0	270of 270
Angsana	8888/220	9595/132	–	22/32	95167/95SC<1	00/0	00/0	280of 280
Gongshang	114114/160	46163/46SC<1	–	1616/20	44107/44SC<1	00/0	00/0	220of 220
Poi Ching	9595/180	2323/85	–	4145/41SC 1-2	82197/82SC<1	00/0	00/0	241of 240
Junyuan	8383/180	7676/97	–	00/27	5858/81	2374/23SC<1	00/0	240of 240
Chongzheng	6161/120	4141/60	–	77/26	7284/72SC 1-2	00/0	00/0	181of 180
Tampines	7777/180	6262/103	–	00/34	9292/102	1053/10SC<1	00/0	241of 240
East Spring	4949/130	1111/81	–	00/43	6464/130	3838/66	00/28	162of 190
Tampines North	8484/180	1818/96	–	00/46	4747/138	91127/91SC 1-2	00/0	240of 240
Changkat	4545/120	1515/75	–	11/40	5656/119	1313/63	00/50	130of 180
Yumin	4747/160	1212/113	–	00/54	1414/161	4141/148	00/107	114of 220
St. Hilda's	141141/210	6994/69SC>2	–	2040/20SC<1	41144/41SC<1	00/0	00/0	271of 270
Angsana	5858/220	2020/162	–	00/67	171171/202	3166/31SC<1	00/0	280of 280
Gongshang	9191/150	59116/59SC 1-2	–	1515/20	45107/45SC<1	00/0	00/0	210of 210
Poi Ching	8383/180	2929/98	–	2727/43	104197/104SC<1	00/0	00/0	243of 240
Junyuan	8686/180	4242/94	–	00/37	7777/112	3570/35SC<1	00/0	240of 240
Chongzheng	8989/120	3239/32SC>2	–	77/20	5487/54SC<1	00/0	00/0	182of 180
Tampines	9292/180	6666/89	–	22/28	8181/86	519/5SC<1	00/0	246of 240
East Spring	6666/130	1111/64	–	00/38	5858/113	2626/55	00/29	161of 190
Tampines North	8181/180	1313/99	–	00/49	4646/146	4848/100	00/52	188of 240
Changkat	5353/150	1212/97	–	00/48	4949/146	1818/97	00/79	132of 210
Yumin	6060/120	1111/60	–	00/36	2020/109	4141/89	00/48	132of 180
St. Hilda's	133133/230	6767/97	3033/30SC>2	2151/21SC<1	20118/20SC<1	00/0	00/0	271of 270
Angsana	3838/200	00/162	99/162	00/97	7979/195	6868/116	00/48	194of 240
Gongshang	108108/170	3737/62	2561/25SC 1-2	1919/21	2285/22SC<1	00/0	00/0	211of 210
Poi Ching	8888/200	1111/112	1919/101	4444/61	79195/79SC<1	00/0	00/0	241of 240
Junyuan	7575/200	00/125	5858/125	00/54	9696/109	1439/14SC<1	00/0	243of 240
Chongzheng	8787/140	00/53	5050/53	1515/23	3065/30SC<1	00/0	00/0	182of 180
Tampines	9696/200	11/104	4343/103	00/51	102105/102PR 1-2	00/0	00/0	242of 240
East Spring	6767/170	00/103	00/103	00/72	7070/143	3434/73	00/39	171of 210
Tampines North	7474/200	00/126	1111/126	00/78	6262/155	5757/93	00/36	204of 240
Changkat	4646/170	00/124	1414/124	00/75	5656/150	1515/94	00/79	131of 210
Yumin	5858/140	00/82	2020/82	00/51	2828/104	7685/76SC>2	00/0	182of 180
St. Hilda's	141141/230	7070/89	1936/19SC>2	2037/20SC<1	2279/22SC<1	00/0	00/0	272of 270
Angsana	3131/200	11/169	33/168	00/103	2121/205	4646/184	00/138	102of 240
Gongshang	107107/170	3838/63	2533/25SC>2	2121/21	2191/21SC<1	00/0	00/0	212of 210
Poi Ching	116116/200	66/84	1313/79	3636/53	70172/70SC<1	00/0	00/0	241of 240
Junyuan	8686/170	00/84	4242/84	11/42	8287/82SC>2	00/0	00/0	211of 210
Chongzheng	7878/140	00/62	4949/62	2323/27	3352/33SC<1	00/0	00/0	183of 180
Tampines	9595/170	00/75	3333/75	11/41	8398/83SC 1-2	00/0	00/0	212of 210
East Spring	5454/140	00/86	99/86	11/59	6767/116	2323/50	00/27	154of 180
Tampines North	7878/200	11/122	1414/121	00/74	8282/147	6695/66SC 1-2	00/0	241of 240
Changkat	4646/170	11/124	1515/123	11/74	7070/147	2020/78	00/58	153of 210
Yumin	6666/140	00/74	1515/74	11/50	4848/100	5464/54SC>2	00/0	184of 180
St. Hilda's	9494/230	4242/136	2323/95	4545/56	68110/68SC<1	00/0	00/0	272of 270
Angsana	2424/80	00/56	1111/56	00/43	99/85	33/77	00/74	47of 120
Gongshang	7575/170	2323/95	3737/72	1616/39	6569/65SC<1	00/0	00/0	216of 210
Poi Ching	8181/200	33/119	1717/116	2424/70	115150/115SC<1	00/0	00/0	240of 240
Junyuan	9393/140	00/47	3939/47	00/24	5155/51PR<1	00/0	00/0	183of 180
Chongzheng	6969/140	00/71	2727/71	1818/42	6979/69SC 1-2	00/0	00/0	183of 180
Tampines	7272/140	00/68	1818/69	22/46	9094/90PR 1-2	00/0	00/0	182of 180
East Spring	5353/110	00/58	1111/58	22/44	5353/85	1111/32	00/21	130of 150
Tampines North	6060/170	00/110	99/110	00/71	7676/141	3333/65	00/32	178of 210
Changkat	4949/110	00/61	1414/61	00/44	5050/91	1313/41	00/28	126of 150
Yumin	4242/110	00/68	1717/68	00/46	3030/93	4444/63	00/19	133of 150

Full Tampines area page → All schools, live 2026 → 2026 by area →

You're not doing this alone

Find your child's group

Every cohort has its own WhatsApp group of parents going through the exact same year, real-time registration updates, school reviews, balloting news and honest answers from people one step ahead of you. Pick the year your child starts Primary 1.

Browse all cohort groups by school and area →

Registering now For children born in 2020

The 2026 registration exercise runs from 30 June to 30 October 2026, with the citizen and PR phases finishing in late August. This is the live cohort, phase dates, balloting and school choice are happening right now.

Join the P1 2027 group 华语交流群 · Mandarin group

Free to join. A friendly, parent-run space, no spam, no selling.