Securing a spot in a top Tampines primary school for the 2026 Primary 1 intake requires strategy. With popular schools seeing up to 3 times more applicants than vacancies, understanding MOE Primary 1 registration trends is crucial.
📘 MOE Primary 1 Registration Phases Explained
Before we dive into the rankings, here’s a quick refresher on the MOE P1 Registration Phases:
- Phase 1: For children with a sibling in the school. (Guaranteed spot – no balloting needed)
- Phase 2A: For children whose parents are alumni or school staff. (Often needs balloting at popular schools)
- Phase 2B: For parent volunteers or those with grassroots/religious affiliations. (Sometimes needs balloting)
- Phase 2C: Open to all Singapore Citizens and PRs who don’t qualify for earlier phases. (Almost always needs balloting at popular schools)
📌 Understanding the Numbers
Applicant-to-Vacancy Ratio (A:V) indicates competitiveness:
- If 100 kids apply for 50 spots, the ratio is:
👉 100 ÷ 50 = 2.0 → That’s an A:V ratio of 2.0:1 (very competitive) - If 60 kids apply for 80 spots, the ratio is:
👉 60 ÷ 80 = 0.75 → A:V ratio of 0.75:1 (less competitive)
📊 Applicant-to-Vacancy (A:V) Ratios for All Tampines Primary Schools (2022-2024)
Phase 2A (Alumni/Staff Priority)
| School | 2024 A:V | 2023 A:V | 2022 A:V | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angsana | 0.58:1 | 0.40:1 | 0.26:1 | Consistently safe |
| Changkat | 0.38:1 | 0.35:1 | 0.35:1 | Low competition |
| Chongzheng | 0.51:1 | 0.51:1 | 0.74:1 | Improved safety in 2024 |
| East Spring | 0.33:1 | 0.38:1 | 0.51:1 | Safest 2A option |
| Gongshang | 0.53:1 | 0.71:1 | 0.61:1 | Rising slightly |
| Junyuan | 0.63:1 | 0.46:1 | 0.48:1 | Stable |
| Poi Ching | 0.59:1 | 0.53:1 | 0.46:1 | No balloting history |
| St. Hilda’s | 0.64:1 | 0.51:1 | 0.67:1 | High demand but safe |
| Tampines | 0.54:1 | 0.43:1 | 0.51:1 | Minimal competition |
| Yumin | 0.29:1 | 0.29:1 | 0.33:1 | Safest choice |
Phase 2B (Parent Volunteers)
| School | 2024 A:V | 2023 A:V | 2022 A:V | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angsana | 1.22:1 | 0.72:1 | 0.30:1 | Rising risk in 2024 |
| Changkat | 0.08:1 | 0.16:1 | 0.25:1 | Guaranteed admission |
| Chongzheng | 0.51:1 | 0.68:1 | 0.35:1 | Borderline competitive |
| East Spring | 0.06:1 | 0.14:1 | 0.17:1 | Safest 2B option |
| Gongshang | 0.24:1 | 0.35:1 | 0.25:1 | Low competition |
| Junyuan | 0.00:1 | 0.00:1 | 0.00:1 | No applicants (3 years) |
| Poi Ching | 0.47:1 | 0.56:1 | 0.63:1 | Stable |
| St. Hilda’s | 0.43:1 | 0.36:1 | 0.50:1 | Improved odds |
| Tampines | 0.00:1 | 0.00:1 | 0.07:1 | Zero competition |
| Yumin | 0.00:1 | 0.00:1 | 0.00:1 | Safest choice |
Phase 2C (General Public)
| School | 2024 A:V | 2023 A:V | 2022 A:V | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angsana | 2.58:1 | 1.76:1 | 0.85:1 | Most competitive in 2024 |
| Changkat | 0.28:1 | 0.47:1 | 0.34:1 | Safe |
| Chongzheng | 1.27:1 | 1.17:1 | 1.61:1 | SC1-2 balloting in 2024 |
| East Spring | 0.39:1 | 0.49:1 | 0.51:1 | Low risk |
| Gongshang | 2.41:1 | 2.43:1 | 2.38:1 | High risk (SC<1 balloting) |
| Junyuan | 1.25:1 | 0.72:1 | 0.69:1 | Rising demand |
| Poi Ching | 2.43:1 | 2.40:1 | 1.89:1 | SC<1 balloting annually |
| St. Hilda’s | 3.15:1 | 3.40:1 | 3.51:1 | Highest competition |
| Tampines | 1.15:1 | 0.92:1 | 0.94:1 | Borderline competitive |
| Yumin | 0.06:1 | 0.09:1 | 0.18:1 | Safest option |
📊 Balloting Details for Tampines Primary Schools (2022-2024)
Here’s the complete breakdown of balloting groups (SC/PR by distance) for each phase and year :
Balloting Group Key
- SC<1 – Singapore Citizens living <1km
- SC1-2 – Singapore Citizens living 1-2km
- SC>2 – Singapore Citizens living >2km
- PR<1 – Permanent Residents living <1km
- PR1-2 – Permanent Residents living 1-2km
- PR>2 – Permanent Residents living >2km
Phase 2A Balloting Groups (Alumni/Staff Priority)
| School | 2024 Balloting Group | 2023 Balloting Group | 2022 Balloting Group | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angsana | – | – | – | Safe for alumni (A:V 0.58:1 in 2024) |
| Changkat | – | – | – | No balloting history |
| Chongzheng | – | – | SC>2 | Only 2022 SC>2 balloting |
| East Spring | – | – | – | Safest 2A option (A:V 0.33:1) |
| Gongshang | – | SC<1 | SC<1 | Balloted SC<1 in 2022-2023 |
| Junyuan | – | – | – | No balloting |
| Poi Ching | – | – | – | Consistently safe |
| St. Hilda’s | – | – | – | High demand but no 2A balloting |
| Tampines | – | – | – | Minimal competition |
| Yumin | – | – | – | Safest choice (A:V 0.29:1) |
Findings:
- Only Gongshang had Phase 2A balloting (SC<1 in 2022-2023).
- Chongzheng had rare SC>2 balloting in 2022 but was safe thereafter.
Phase 2B Balloting Groups (Parent Volunteers)
| School | 2024 Balloting Group | 2023 Balloting Group | 2022 Balloting Group | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angsana | – | – | – | Rising A:V (1.22:1) but no balloting |
| Changkat | – | – | – | Guaranteed admission |
| Chongzheng | – | – | – | Safe |
| East Spring | – | – | – | Safest 2B option (A:V 0.06:1) |
| Gongshang | – | – | SC<1 | Only 2022 SC<1 balloting |
| Junyuan | – | – | – | Zero applicants (3 years) |
| Poi Ching | – | – | – | Stable (A:V 0.47:1) |
| St. Hilda’s | – | – | – | No balloting despite high demand |
| Tampines | – | – | – | No competition |
| Yumin | – | – | – | Safest choice |
Findings:
- Gongshang was the only school with Phase 2B balloting (SC<1 in 2022).
- All other schools had guaranteed admission in Phase 2B.
Phase 2C Balloting Groups (General Public)
| School | 2024 Balloting Group | 2023 Balloting Group | 2022 Balloting Group | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Angsana | SC<1 | SC<1 | – | New SC<1 balloting in 2023-2024 |
| Changkat | – | – | – | Safe (A:V 0.28:1) |
| Chongzheng | SC1-2 | – | SC<1 | Shifted from SC<1 (2022) to SC1-2 (2024) |
| East Spring | – | – | – | No balloting |
| Gongshang | SC<1 | SC<1 | SC<1 | Annual SC<1 balloting |
| Junyuan | SC1-2 | – | – | New SC1-2 balloting in 2024 |
| Poi Ching | SC<1 | SC<1 | SC<1 | Consistent SC<1 balloting |
| St. Hilda’s | SC<1 | SC<1 | SC<1 | Most competitive (A:V 3.15:1) |
| Tampines | – | – | – | Borderline but no balloting |
| Yumin | – | – | – | Safest (A:V 0.06:1) |
Findings:
- SC<1 Dominance: Gongshang, Poi Ching, St. Hilda’s balloted SC<1 every year.
- Unique Patterns:
- Chongzheng: Shifted from SC<1 (2022) to SC1-2 (2024).
- Junyuan: New SC1-2 balloting in 2024.
- Safe Havens: Yumin, East Spring, Changkat (no balloting in any phase).
🔍 Key Insights
- High-Risk Schools:
- St. Hilda’s, Gongshang, Poi Ching (Phase 2C SC<1 balloting annually).
- Angsana became competitive in 2023-2024 (new SC<1 balloting).
- Distance Matters:
- Living <1km from St. Hilda’s or Gongshang is critical but not guaranteed.
- Chongzheng and Junyuan now ballot SC1-2 (2024).
- PR Applicants:
- No recorded PR balloting in any phase (2022-2024).
- Safest Choices:
- Yumin, East Spring, Changkat (no balloting in any phase).
🎯 Strategic Recommendations
- For Competitive Schools (St. Hilda’s/Gongshang):
- Phase 2B: Volunteer early (limited slots).
- Phase 2C: Apply on Day 1 and prepare for SC<1 balloting.
- For Moderate-Risk Schools (Chongzheng/Junyuan):
- Monitor SC1-2 trends; living 1-2km may suffice.
- For Safe Schools (Yumin/East Spring):
- Nearly guaranteed admission in any phase.
🎯 2026 Admission Strategy
- Aggressive Approach: Target St. Hilda’s or Gongshang (volunteer early for Phase 2B).
- Balanced Approach: Chongzheng or Junyuan (monitor Phase 2C trends).
- Conservative Approach: Yumin or East Spring (guaranteed admission).
Pro Tip: Living <1km from competitive schools (e.g., St. Hilda’s) improves but doesn’t guarantee admission due to high SC<1 demand.