Lucton School Shanghai vs Suzhou Singapore International School

	L Lucton School Shanghai Shanghai, China	S Suzhou Singapore International School Shanghai, China
Snapshot	Snapshot
Fees / year	Fees / year RMB 195,000 - 255,000	Fees / year RMB 130,000 - 300,000
Age range	Age range 12 - 18 years	Age range 2 - 18 years
Type	Type Co-educational (boarding)	Type Co-educational
Curriculum	Curriculum British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage), Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge A Levels	Curriculum Singapore Curriculum, Cambridge (Primary), Cambridge IGCSE, IB (MYP), IB (DP)
Pupils	Pupils —	Pupils 1,400
Typical class size	Typical class size —	Typical class size —
Instruction language	Instruction language English, Mandarin	Instruction language English, Mandarin
Opened	Opened 2018	Opened 1996
Bus service	Bus service No	Bus service No
Essentials	Essentials
Location	Location Lucton School Shanghai is in Pudong New Area, at 90 Puhong West Road (上海浦东新区浦红西路90号) on a dedicated boarding campus. The school site and contact page list this postal address and campus location. For practical commuting or public-transport details the website does not give a full schedule — contact admissions for current travel advice.	Location The URL you gave (ssis.asia) is the website for Shanghai Singapore International School (SSIS), not a Suzhou campus. SSIS's main campus is in Minhang District, Shanghai, with on-site directions and contact details on the site; it's reachable by road and is near established residential areas and transport links in southwestern Shanghai.
Stages	Stages Lucton is an upper‑school (Year 10–13) serving students aged about 14–18: Years 10–11 follow two‑year IGCSE courses and Years 12–13 follow two‑year A Level courses. The admissions booklet and curriculum pages set out the IGCSE and A Level structure.	Stages SSIS runs a continuous K–12 programme from Preschool (Pre‑Nursery/Kindergarten) through Primary (Grade 1–6) to Senior School (Grade 7–12). Senior School includes Cambridge Lower Secondary, IGCSE (Grades 9–10) and the IB Diploma Programme (Grades 11–12).
School type	School type The school is an independent, full‑boarding, mixed‑gender (boys and girls) British‑curriculum school. The admissions material and the boarding pages describe Lucton as a 100% boarding school for its student cohort.	School type SSIS is a co-educational international day school (K–12). The school does not advertise boarding facilities on its main site pages.
Pupil nationality mix	Pupil nationality mix —	Pupil nationality mix —
Additional learning support	Additional learning support The school offers ESL (English as a Second Language) support and an academic/pastoral team (academic tutors, house staff and a school nurse) with supervised study and evening prep. The school's public materials do not describe extended special‑needs provision, and an independent school directory notes the school is not currently able to recruit students with significant special learning needs — parents with specific SEN requirements should contact admissions to discuss individual cases.	Additional learning support SSIS publishes an English Language Acquisition (ELA) programme for Primary students to support learners needing additional English instruction; the school also describes personalised learning approaches and school-based support but specific SEN caseload or detailed specialist services are described in admissions/downloadable registration materials. For specific individual needs it's best to contact the school's admissions or learning-support team.
Country affiliation	Country affiliation Lucton School Shanghai follows a British curriculum and is presented as an extension of the Lucton (UK) tradition; the school materials link the Shanghai campus to Lucton's UK history and curriculum model.	Country affiliation The school is named Shanghai Singapore International School and references Singaporean education influences in its curriculum, but it operates as an international school in China rather than being a government school of Singapore.
Religious affiliation	Religious affiliation The school's published materials do not indicate any religious affiliation; Lucton Shanghai presents itself as a secular British‑curriculum boarding school.	Religious affiliation SSIS does not list any religious affiliation on its public pages; it operates as a non-denominational international school.
School day structure	School day structure A typical weekday timetable (example from the school booklet) shows breakfast 07:10–08:10, lessons from 08:10 with breaks and staggered lunches, co‑curricular/activity blocks from around 16:40–18:20, supper 18:20–19:00, evening prep 19:00–20:00, free time 20:00–21:30 and lights‑out at about 22:30. The admissions booklet provides this sample timetable and a more detailed school timetable in the handbooks.	School day structure The school's website describes standard K–12 timetabled days with breaks and a lunch period but does not publish a single fixed start/end time on the public overview pages; these times are typically provided to admitted families or in the registration pack. Contact admissions for exact daily timings for specific year groups.
Bus service details	Bus service details The school notes shuttle/coach transport is used for off‑campus activities such as sports and trips, and the boarding handbook sets out arrival/drop‑off procedures for return days. The website and handbooks do not list a regular daily commuter bus route for day pupils (the school is 100% boarding), so parents should contact the admissions office for specific transport arrangements, schedules or third‑party providers.	Bus service details SSIS offers a regular school bus service for families; the site lists a transportation email and notes an annual transport fee (with distance-based rates quoted in the tuition page). For route details, pickup points and booking deadlines the school asks parents to contact the transportation office directly. }
Fees	Fees
Fee details	Fee details Application fees - Admission deposit (入学意向金): RMB 20,000. This deposit is non‑refundable and is credited against the first year's tuition once the student enrolls. Tuition fees (annual and per‑term equivalents) - Annual tuition: RMB 195,000 per academic year. The school's published fee schedule shows a single annual tuition for its secondary/IGCSE–A Level programme rather than different tariffs by year group. - Termly equivalent: the school requires full‑year payment and does not publish termly billing; as an arithmetic equivalent (not published by the school), RMB 195,000 divided into three equal terms would be RMB 65,000 per term. (The school's published policy is to collect the full annual tuition.) Billing schedule and payment terms - The school states that parents are required to pay one year's tuition in a single payment (one‑off annual payment). The admission deposit is payable to secure a place and is non‑refundable. No separate termly billing schedule is published. Boarding and catering fees - Boarding fee (annual): RMB 34,700 per year. - Meals / catering fee (annual): RMB 25,300 per year. Other costs and charges - The following are explicitly stated as not included in the published tuition and are charged separately as applicable: private music tuition, school uniform, personal sports equipment, textbooks, external examination fees, and school trips or activities outside the published teaching programme. The school issues bills or separate notices for these items and charges according to the student's actual participation. A sibling discount of 20% on annual tuition for direct siblings is listed. Refund information - The admission deposit of RMB 20,000 is non‑refundable (it is offset against the first year's tuition after enrollment). No further published general refund schedule for tuition or boarding is provided on the school's fee page. Fee payment options - The school's published fee page does not specify accepted payment methods (for example, bank transfer, credit card or other channels) or detailed invoicing instructions. Payment method details are not listed on the published fee page.	Fee details Application and Matriculation Fees - Application Fee: non-refundable, non-transferable — RMB 2,500. Payment is due within five working days of issuance. - Matriculation Fee: non-refundable, non-transferable — RMB 20,000. This fee cannot be applied to tuition. Tuition fees (annual and per-term amounts by year group) Note: the school offers either a single annual payment or termly (trimester) payments. Per-term figures below are calculated as the published annual fee divided by three (annual ÷ 3) to reflect the trimester payment option. This per-term breakdown is a calculated figure. - Toddler / Pre-N (Half Day) - Annual: RMB 130,000. - Approx. per term (annual ÷ 3): RMB 43,333. - Pre-Nursery to Kindergarten 2 - Annual: RMB 200,000. - Approx. per term: RMB 66,667. - Primary School (Grade 1 to Grade 6) - Annual: RMB 260,000. - Approx. per term: RMB 86,667. - Senior School (Grade 7 to Grade 8) - Annual: RMB 280,000. - Approx. per term: RMB 93,333. - Senior School (Grade 9 to Grade 10) - Annual: RMB 290,000. - Approx. per term: RMB 96,667. - Senior School (Grade 11 to Grade 12) - Annual: RMB 300,000. - Approx. per term: RMB 100,000. Optional / additional fees and typical ranges - English Language Acquisition (ELA) Programme (Grade 1–6 only): RMB 25,000 per academic year (payment required in full before service starts). - Transportation (regular school bus) per academic year: - Below 5 km: RMB 18,500 per year. - 5 km and above: RMB 20,000 per year. - The transportation fee must be paid in full before the school commencement date; refunds for transportation are pro‑rata per school day less a RMB 400 handling fee. - Paid After‑School Programmes (ASP): most ASPs are complimentary, but paid ASP sessions (8-week session) typically range RMB 1,400–3,800. Paid ASPs must be paid in full before the session; refund rules depend on timing and minimum enrolment. - External examination/test fees (IGCSE, IB, AP, SAT, HSK, Cambridge English, etc.) are not included in the tuition and will be charged separately when applicable. Daily school lunch is included in the tuition. - Uniforms: uniforms are ordered through the school's approved vendor; specific item prices are set by the vendor. The school offers an early‑re‑enrolment complimentary uniform credit for eligible returning students. The on‑site Sabres Store allows try‑ons. Billing schedule and payment terms - Payment frequency options: - Annual (one-time payment), or - Termly (trimester) payments. - Application Fee and Matriculation Fee: timing requirements — Application Fee due within five working days of issuance; Matriculation Fee payment after offer is normally required within five working days. - Late payment charge: RMB 300 per day applied to overdue tuition fees for up to 7 days; after this period the school may suspend the student, withhold reports/transcripts, or offer the place to applicants on the waitlist. Refund and withdrawal terms - Withdrawal notice: parents must submit written notice to the divisional principal at least 30 days before the student's last day of school; otherwise days will be counted as absence and may affect refunds. - Late Withdrawal Notice Surcharge: if less than 30 days' notice is given, 10% of the annual tuition fee is deemed payable in lieu of notice. - Full‑term non-attendance: if a student does not attend any school days in a term, that term's tuition will be refunded in full. Partial attendance: if the student attends any day in a term, the full term's tuition is payable and non‑refundable. Annual payment discounts will be forfeited if the student withdraws mid‑year. - Optional services refund examples: - Transportation: pro‑rata refund per school day (1/180 of annual fee) less RMB 400 handling fee. - ELA Programme: fees are non‑refundable and non‑transferable. - Paid ASPs: full refund if withdrawn before the ASP start; no refunds once the ASP has started (unless minimum numbers not met). - Matriculation fee and other specified non‑tuition fees are non‑refundable. Refunds are processed after the student's last day; overseas transaction fees for refunds are borne by parents and refunds are made to the original payer. A VAT e‑fapiao (tax receipt) will be issued upon payment confirmation. Boarding - No boarding fees are listed; the fees schedule and enrolment materials describe day services and optional transport but do not include boarding provisions. (No boarding programme/boarding fees are published.) Discounts and concessions - Sibling discount: 10% discount on the total annual tuition fee for families enrolling two or more siblings. - Corporate discount: 10% discount on the total annual tuition fee for companies enrolling and paying for five or more children of their employees. - Note: sibling and corporate discounts cannot be applied to the same student. Accepted currencies and payment methods - Accepted currencies: RMB and USD for payments. - Payment methods accepted: - Point‑of‑Sale (POS): credit or debit cards (local UnionPay cards accepted for RMB payments). - Bank transfer: payment to the school's designated bank account; email proof of payment with student full name and class to invoice@ssis.asia. The exchange rate for overseas remittances is based on the central parity rate set by the People's Bank of China on the first working day of each month; any exchange differences are borne by parents. Other practical notes on fees - Tuition covers textbooks/library use, online resources, basic stationery, school‑sponsored CCAs/complimentary ASP offerings, compulsory Shanghai learning trips (within the city), technology fees, and daily lunch for students. External exam fees, optional off‑Shanghai trips, specialist fee‑based services, and certain optional programmes are charged separately. - VAT e‑fapiao will be issued after payment; you may request specific details (student name, period of study) to be added to the fapiao. If you need any of the numeric figures presented above in another currency or as exact instalment amounts calculated to a specific rounding convention, indicate which currency and rounding you prefer and I will compute them directly.
Diving deeper	Diving deeper
Boarding arrangements	Boarding arrangements —	Boarding arrangements —
Uniform requirement	Uniform requirement —	Uniform requirement —
Food options	Food options —	Food options —
House system	House system —	House system —
Governance and ownership	Governance and ownership —	Governance and ownership —
Academics	Academics
Curriculum details	Curriculum details Lucton School Shanghai follows a British secondary pathway: Years 10–11 study IGCSE and Years 12–13 study two‑year A‑Level programmes, with ESL support for English learners. The IGCSE offer (Years 10–11) includes core academic English, Chinese and Mathematics and a broad range of options such as Additional Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Business, Economics, Computer Science, Design & Technology, Art & Design, Music, PE, Global Perspectives, Psychology, Drama and Japanese. At A Level (Years 12–13) students normally take three to four subjects from options including English, Chinese, Mathematics and Further Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Economics, Business, Computer Science, Design & Technology, Art & Design, Psychology, Music, Drama and modern languages; the school also offers an extended independent research qualification (EPQ/IPQ) and academic English preparation. Examinations are taken through standard UK international exam boards (Cambridge/CAIE, Edexcel and Oxford AQA) and the school is listed as an authorised centre for A‑Level examinations. The academic programme is complemented by STEAM, sports, music and other co‑curricular activities and is delivered in a full‑boarding, small‑cohort secondary setting for Years 10–13.	Curriculum details SSIS's Preschool (Early Years) is bilingual, aligns with Singapore's Nurturing Early Learners (NEL) framework and is organised around seven learning areas (Aesthetics; Discovery of the World; English literacy; Chinese; Motor skills; Numeracy; Social and emotional development). Primary School follows a Singapore‑based curriculum drawing on Singapore Math and Science with Cambridge Primary English and a three‑track Chinese Language and Culture programme (Basic, Singapore system‑based, Advanced integrating Singapore and Shanghai curricula). Senior School is divided into three stages: Grades 7–8 follow the Cambridge Lower Secondary Programme (CLSP) to prepare for IGCSE; Grades 9–10 take Cambridge IGCSE with four compulsory subjects (English, Chinese, Mathematics, Science) plus up to six option subjects designed to enable the Cambridge ICE group award. Grades 11–12 study the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP); SSIS states that 100% of students undertake the IBDP, which comprises six subject groups and the DP core (Theory of Knowledge, Extended Essay and CAS). Across all stages the school supplements subject learning with STEAM, sports, arts and co‑curricular activities, Mandarin immersion and technology integration (ICT/Computer Science/Robotics), and uses ManageBac for home‑school communication and personalised learning records.
Student teacher ratio	Student teacher ratio —	Student teacher ratio —
Exam results	Exam results —	Exam results —
Higher education progression	Higher education progression —	Higher education progression —
Gifted and talented	Gifted and talented —	Gifted and talented —
Academic calendar	Academic calendar —	Academic calendar —
Wellbeing & support	Wellbeing & support
Social & emotional learning	Social & emotional learning —	Social & emotional learning —
Special educational needs (SEN)	Special educational needs (SEN) —	Special educational needs (SEN) —
English as an additional language	English as an additional language —	English as an additional language —
Mental wellbeing	Mental wellbeing —	Mental wellbeing —
Safeguarding	Safeguarding —	Safeguarding —
Safeguarding policy	Safeguarding policy —	Safeguarding policy —
Facilities	Facilities
Facilities overview	Facilities overview —	Facilities overview —
Sports facilities	Sports facilities —	Sports facilities —
Academic facilities	Academic facilities —	Academic facilities —
Extra curricular facilities	Extra curricular facilities —	Extra curricular facilities —
Parent experience	Parent experience
History	History —	History —
Community	Community —	Community —
Parent teacher association	Parent teacher association —	Parent teacher association —
Extra-curricular	Extra-curricular
Academic & intellectual	Academic & intellectual —	Academic & intellectual —
Arts & creative	Arts & creative —	Arts & creative —
Cultural & language	Cultural & language —	Cultural & language —
Social & hobbies	Social & hobbies —	Social & hobbies —
Community & service	Community & service —	Community & service —
Leadership & professional	Leadership & professional —	Leadership & professional —
Lifestyle & wellbeing	Lifestyle & wellbeing —	Lifestyle & wellbeing —
Language provision	Language provision
Language provision	Language provision —	Language provision —
Bilingual teaching	Bilingual teaching —	Bilingual teaching —
Immersion programs	Immersion programs —	Immersion programs —
Reputation	Reputation
Awards	Awards —	Awards —
Accreditations	Accreditations —	Accreditations —
Admissions	Admissions
Admissions	Admissions 1. Submit the online application and documents. Parents should complete the school's application form and upload required documents through the school's application portal (the site links to luctonstaff.schoolis.cn). Prepare scanned copies of current school reports, passport/ID and any English-language evidence (transcripts, certificates) before you start so the upload step is smooth. 2. Testing and interviews arranged by the admissions office. After you submit the application the school arranges the UKiset online test (the school references the official UKiset site for details), a student oral test and a parent interview; the school lists the test/interview location as Lucton School Shanghai (Pudong). Expect the admissions office to notify you of test dates and the materials the student should prepare (e.g., reading/writing tasks, short presentation or portfolio for arts candidates). 3. Admissions committee review and decision. The school's admissions committee evaluates the application, test results and interview; successful applicants receive either conditional or unconditional offers. If offered a place parents must sign the admissions agreement and pay the non-refundable RMB 20,000 enrollment intention deposit by the specified date — that deposit is credited against the first year's tuition once the student enrolls. 4. Waitlist or non‑acceptance outcomes. The school states that if intake is full applicants will be placed on a waiting list; applicants who do not meet the entrance standard will be informed that they are not accepted. Parents should note the school's wording that placement on the waiting list occurs when places are full, and should keep the admissions office informed of any change in the child's circumstances (e.g., updated reports or test results) while waiting. 5. Final enrolment steps before term starts. Once the tuition payment deadline is met and documents/forms are returned, the school will confirm enrolment and invite the family to the school's orientation/enrolment guidance day; the site also notes that tuition for the year is normally collected in a single payment. Parents should check the school's invoice and receipts carefully, and be ready to pay additional out-of-fee items (books, private music lessons, extracurricular trips) which are billed separately.	Admissions 1. Create an OpenApply account. Parents must register at SSIS's OpenApply portal before they can submit an application or sign up for open days; this account is the school's primary channel for application notifications and next-step instructions, so use a reliable email address you check regularly. (Make the account at https://ssis-sh.openapply.cn and keep the login details safe.) 2. Complete and submit application documents via OpenApply. All required documents must be uploaded to OpenApply and any non-English/Chinese documents must be translated by an authorised translation company; bring original documents to the Admissions Office for verification on the day of the Admissions Assessment. Required paperwork varies by nationality—examples include the SSIS Registration Kit, signed Code of Conduct and Confidential School Recommendation (for Grade 1+), the child's birth certificate and vaccination record, the family's passport pages, and Shanghai residence/permit or property/tenancy proof—so check the list that applies to your family and prepare certified copies before applying. 3. Pay the application fee (and follow payment timing). After you submit documents, SSIS issues a proforma invoice; the non-refundable application fee (RMB 2,500 for AY2025/2026) must be paid at least five working days before the Admissions Assessment date using bank transfer or on-site card/cash as instructed by SSIS Finance. Keep proof of payment and email any bank-transfer receipts to the school when requested—missing payment deadlines can delay or invalidate your booking for an assessment. 4. Attend the Admissions Assessment. All applicants are required to complete an Admissions Assessment; SSIS Admissions will contact you with the assessment schedule and details once they have a complete application. After the assessment SSIS will notify you of the outcome. 5. Complete the application by paying the matriculation fee and confirming enrolment. If your child is offered a place you are asked to pay the non-refundable matriculation fee (RMB 20,000 for AY2025/2026) within five working days to secure the place; tuition choices (annual or termly) and optional services (school bus, ELA programme at RMB 25,000/yr for Grades 1–6, paid ASPs) are detailed in the Registration Pack and on the Tuition & Fees page. Read the Registration Pack's payment schedule, discount rules (10% sibling or corporate discount conditions), and refund and late-payment policies carefully—late-payment penalties and enrolment consequences are explicitly stated.
Scholarships	Scholarships The school publishes a formal scholarship programme with several named categories and clear percentage reductions of tuition. Awards are described as requiring selection by exam and interview and applicants must meet entrance requirements; the main categories listed are: the Peirpont (皮尔蓬特) all-round scholarship (100% tuition reduction), an academic scholarship (50% tuition reduction), and a set of specialist scholarships — arts, music, sports and equestrian — each described as giving 20% off annual tuition. For many categories the page lists required supporting materials for the selection process (examples include transcripts and competition certificates for academic awards; portfolios and recommendation letters for arts; multiple instrument certificates and performance for music; competition records and a recommendation for sports; training videos, certificates and a recommendation for equestrian candidates). All scholarships are awarded as a percentage reduction of tuition (the page states they apply to the tuition component) and the school says awards are reviewed annually — continuation into subsequent years depends on meeting the school's performance expectations. For application deadlines, the scholarship application form and any current availability, the school asks families to contact the admissions office directly.	Scholarships —
Waitlist	Waitlist Lucton School Shanghai operates a waiting list when admissions are full. The school's published process states that when the intake is full an applicant will be placed on a candidate/WAITLIST rather than being offered immediate admission; the site does not publish details such as waitlist order, typical wait times or explicit prioritisation rules. Because the public page gives only this high-level statement, parents who want to understand their child's current position, expected wait time, or whether any deposit is required if/when a place becomes available should contact the admissions office directly (the site lists phone +86 21 5809 3060 and admin@luctonsh.com).	Waitlist SSIS's published enrolment materials reference a waitlist: the Registration Pack and fee policy state that if a student is suspended or leaves for non-payment the school may “offer the student's seat to new applicants on the waitlist.” That language indicates SSIS maintains a pool of applicants it can draw on when places become available, but the website and Registration Pack do not publish a detailed public waitlist protocol (for example: ranking criteria, how long applicants remain on the list, or automatic expiry of a position). Therefore, if you want to know how the waitlist would apply to your child (how places are prioritised, expected waiting times, or whether acceptance requires immediate matriculation-fee payment), contact the Admissions Office directly (admission@ssis.asia / +86 21 6221 9288) for current practice and your applicant's position. Note: the statement about offering seats to waitlisted applicants appears in the school's refund/late-payment section and is the basis for the above summary; the rest is an informed inference because the school does not publish a full waitlist procedure.
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