If you’re a parent living in the Sengkang West or Fernvale area, you’ve probably heard of the stress that comes with Phase 2C Primary 1 registration. Among the many schools nearby — including Fern Green and Fernvale Primary — Sengkang Green Primary School is consistently the most competitive after the crowd favourite, Nan Chiau Primary School.
🌟 A Rising Star Next to Nan Chiau
While Nan Chiau Primary has long held the crown as Sengkang’s most sought-after school, with application-to-vacancy (A:V) ratios as high as 3.38:1 in recent years, another gleaming star is emerging fast — Sengkang Green Primary School.
Here’s the A:V comparison over the last three years:
| School | 2024 A:V | 2023 A:V | 2022 A:V | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nan Chiau | 2.81:1 | 2.97:1 | 3.38:1 | Still most competitive |
| Sengkang Green | 2.24:1 | 1.93:1 | 2.45:1 | Rising demand |
With an average A:V ratio above 2:1, Sengkang Green has positioned itself as the second-most competitive school in the region — far surpassing nearby options like Fern Green and Fernvale.
But why is this the case, especially when all three schools, Sengkang Green, Fern Green and Fernvale, are located so close to each other?
The answer lies largely in one simple but overlooked factor:
🔍 Sengkang Green has far fewer vacancies left by the time Phase 2C opens — and demand consistently outstrips supply.
Let’s break it down.
📊 Phase 2C: The Most Telling Numbers
Here’s how Phase 2C numbers stack up from 2022 to 2024:
| Year | School | Vacancies | Applicants | A:V Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Sengkang Green | 42 | 94 | 2.24:1 |
| Fern Green | 68 | 67 | 0.99:1 | |
| Fernvale | 162 | 96 | 0.59:1 | |
| 2023 | Sengkang Green | 45 | 87 | 1.93:1 |
| Fern Green | 61 | 73 | 1.20:1 | |
| Fernvale | 129 | 80 | 0.62:1 | |
| 2022 | Sengkang Green | 49 | 120 | 2.45:1 |
| Fern Green | 73 | 90 | 1.23:1 | |
| Fernvale | 113 | 78 | 0.69:1 |
It’s clear that Sengkang Green consistently receives the most applicants per available slot — making it the hardest school to get into in the area during Phase 2C.
🧮 Why Are There So Few Phase 2C Vacancies?
The main reason is the strong demand in earlier phases (1 to 2B), which leaves very limited spots by the time Phase 2C begins.
Let’s take 2024 as an example:
👇 2024 Breakdown — Sengkang Green Primary
| Phase | Vacancy | Applied |
|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 180 | 103 |
| 2A | 77 | 116 |
| 2B | 20 | 18 |
| 2C | 42 | 94 |
- Because so many places are taken up in Phase 1 and Phase 2A, there are only 42 seats left for Phase 2C.
- Yet, 94 families applied — more than double the available places.
This pattern repeats every year, leading to an artificially high A:V ratio, not necessarily because of explosive applicant growth, but because of dwindling availability.
🤝 Why So Many Early Phase Admissions?
Sengkang Green is a magnet for:
- Siblings of current students (Phase 1)
- Alumni children (Phase 2A(1))
- Active parent volunteers and grassroots leaders (Phase 2B)
This results in most seats being taken up before Phase 2C, pushing unaffiliated applicants to compete for the few seats left.
🔁 It Becomes a Self-Reinforcing Cycle
- High demand in early phases reduces Phase 2C seats
- Parents panic and apply even earlier next year (e.g., volunteer)
- Vacancy shrinks further → A:V ratio rises again
- The school gets labeled “elite” or “hard to get in”
- More parents rush to apply — and the cycle continues
Meanwhile, nearby schools like Fernvale often do not fill all their seats, even in Phase 2C(S).
✅ Summary: Why Is Sengkang Green So Competitive in Phase 2C?
- 📉 Few seats remain by Phase 2C due to strong demand in Phases 1–2B
- 📈 Double to triple the number of applicants compete for limited slots
- 🔁 High A:V ratio reinforces the school’s popularity and perception
- 🏘️ Located in a young, educated neighbourhood with school-conscious parents
- 🗣️ Strong word-of-mouth and reputation drive early-phase applications
📌 Final Tip for Parents
If you’re hoping to get your child into Sengkang Green, don’t rely on Phase 2C alone. Consider:
- Moving closer for Phase 2A(2) eligibility
- Registering as a parent volunteer
- Applying early for Fern Green or Fernvale as backup options