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St. Christopher's International School

Malaysia, Penang

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees MYR 5,000 - 12,400
Ages 3 - 10 years
Pupil numbers 620
Type Co-educational
Opened 1964
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage)
Taught languages English, German, Malay, Mandarin
Typical class size 25
Strengths STEM, Academic Enrichment, Outdoor Education, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Community and Service, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School
Introduction

St. Christopher’s International Primary School in Penang welcomes children aged 3–13 with a British-based curriculum adapted from EYFS and the UK National Curriculum up to Year 8. Located in the leafy Pulau Tikus residential district (served by Rapid Penang buses 10, 304 & 306), the campus blends older and newer facilities like a library, AV room, EAL/SEN support, a modern languages centre, and science labs. The school is particularly known for its “OPAL” (Outside Play and Learning) programme and annual residential trips, which are valued for building resilience and independence. With around 620 co‑educational students representing over 38 nationalities, SCIPS is a non-profit institution governed by parents and staff.

10, Jalan Nunn, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang

The Essentials

St. Christopher's International School has 620 pupils, typical class sizes of 25, instruction in English.

Location
Located at No. 10 Jalan Nunn, SCIPS sits in the leafy Pulau Tikus suburb of George Town, Penang. It is close to Burmah and Macalister Roads—major thoroughfares lined with shops, eateries, and residential streets—and is served by several Rapid Penang bus routes (101, 102, 103, 104, 304, 306) within a 10–20 minute walk.

Stages
The school serves children aged 3–12, structured into Early Years (Nursery/Foundation/Reception), Primary School (Years 1–6), and an early Secondary extension (Years 7–8)—all following the British National Curriculum.

Type
SCIPS is a co-educational, non-profit day school overseen by a board comprising expatriate and Malaysian representatives. It does not offer boarding facilities.

Additional learning support
The school runs a dedicated Learning Support department, led by a qualified Head of Learning Support, which provides tailored interventions in literacy, numeracy, and general learning strategies. Additionally, the school offers EAL (English as an Additional Language) support within classrooms and small groups.

Country affiliation
SCIPS is registered under Malaysian law but delivers a British-style curriculum, reflecting its international governing structure.

Religious affiliation
The school has no religious affiliation.

School day structure
Drop-off begins at 7:15 am, with lessons starting at 8:00 am. Students have a morning break (10:15–10:45 am) and lunch/play (12:45–1:45 pm), before finishing early for Early Years at 2:25 pm, Primary Years at 2:50 pm, and Years 5–7 at 3:00 pm. After-School Activities typically run until 4:00 pm

Bus service
SCIPS does not run its own bus service.
Diving Deeper

Food Options
Packed lunches may be brought to school and kept in the air-conditioned classroom. Lunches can be dropped off at the class basket outside the coffee shop. Lunches can be ordered through catering providers.

House System
The school has a House system. Students in Years 3 to 6 earn House Points.

Governance and Ownership
The school is a non-profit making association governed by a board of governors representing expatriates and Malaysian communities. Parents are members of the association.
Fees

Annual tuition at St. Christopher's International School ranges from MYR 5,000 to MYR 12,400 for 2026/27.

Application and One-Time Fees


* Application & Registration Fee: MYR 1,500 for Foundation/Nursery/Reception/Year 1 or MYR 3,500 for Years 2–8 (includes MYR 300 non-refundable administration fee and MYR 650 non-refundable family membership fee)
* Refundable Deposit: equivalent to one term’s tuition (refundable with one term’s written notice; depreciates 20% per annum after five years)
* Development Fee: MYR 500 annually (supports campus facilities)

Annual Tuition Fees


* Foundation/Nursery: MYR 15,000
* Reception: MYR 17,700
* Year 1–2: MYR 21,300
* Year 3–4: MYR 28,200
* Year 5–6: MYR 33,000
* Year 7–8 (Prep): MYR 37,200

Payment Terms and Methods


* Tuition and additional fees are billed each term (three times per year).
* A 4% discount applies if full annual tuition is paid upfront.
* Late payments incur a 5% surcharge.
* A full term’s tuition is payable even if a student leaves mid-term.
* The refundable deposit is returned only after a term’s written notice, subject to a 20% annual depreciation after five years.

* Payment Methods:
* Bank transfer
* Credit card (available upon arrangement)

Refund Policy


* The deposit is refundable with appropriate notice and subject to annual depreciation.
* Tuition refunds for Terms 2 or 3 may be issued if withdrawal occurs before the term starts.
* Refunds are not issued mid-term.
Academics

St. Christopher's International School teaches British Curriculum, EYFS (Early years foundation stage) for students aged 3 to 10.

Curriculum
SCIPS follows a British-based curriculum from Early Years through Prep (ages 3–13). In Nursery and Reception, the school uses a combination of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and International Primary Curriculum (IPC), focusing on structured play to develop communication, literacy, numeracy, physical, social, and emotional skills.

Years 1–6 align with the UK National Curriculum for core subjects—English, mathematics, science, computing, PE, and PSHE—while foundation subjects continue through the IPC. Specialist instruction is provided in Mandarin, Bahasa Malaysia, German, music, and art.

In Years 7–8 (Prep), students are taught by a small team of specialist teachers and engage in enrichment activities such as robotics, coding, photography, dancing, gardening, and community-based outings, alongside standard academic content.

All phases are regularly evaluated against UK standards, with ongoing internal data monitoring and external benchmarking through British Schools Overseas inspections, including the latest review in 2020.

Academic calendar
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
SCIPS places strong emphasis on personal and social development through its eight “Personal Goals” (curious, resilient, respectful, etc.), which are regularly highlighted in PSHE lessons and weekly assemblies. The Jigsaw PSHE programme supports consistent SEL across age groups. Students are taught mindfulness and reflection techniques—like chime ringing and breathing exercises—for emotional regulation. Leadership roles such as OPAL play leaders, House captains, and the Student Council further develop empathy, responsibility, and inter-personal skills.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school provides inclusive SEN support via a dedicated Learning Support department. Although not a specialist SEN school, SCIPS offers targeted interventions and co-teaching models, with support delivered by qualified staff within classrooms or small groups. The provision is tailored to individual needs and monitored regularly through internal data and external audit processes. 

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
SCIPS actively supports EAL learners throughout the Early Years and Primary stages. Specialist teachers provide in-class and small-group assistance, and English proficiency is required for Year 1 entry. EAL support is embedded into English lessons and across school life.

Mental Wellbeing
Student wellbeing is supported through mindfulness activities integrated into PSHE and assemblies, as well as reflective social-emotional practices. Regular opportunities for mental health—such as calm art, yoga, and OPAL outdoor play—are incorporated across all age levels. The school’s emphasis on personal goals and nurturing relationships contributes to a positive school ethos and overall emotional support. 

Safeguarding
SCIPS has well-established child protection and safeguarding policies, overseen by designated safeguarding staff, and meets all required standards under the British Schools Overseas (BSO) framework. Staff are trained, and routines like secure campus access and transportation procedures are in place. The school's single central register records staff suitability and compliance.
Parent Experience

History
St. Christopher’s International Primary School was established in 1963 by merging Western Road and Firrell schools and officially opened its campus on Nunn Road in 1964, operating as a non-profit association governed by a board representing expatriate and Malaysian communities. The school expanded in 1997 with additions including classrooms, library, AV suite, SEN facilities, and a modern languages center.

Community
The school serves around 580 students across more than 30 nationalities, fostering a close-knit community often referred to as the “SCIPS family.” Annual events include cultural celebrations, coffee mornings, school discos, and the signature international Food & Fun Festival.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Parent Committee is active and inclusive, meeting regularly to support school initiatives with volunteer involvement rather than fundraising. They coordinate and host events such as school discos, Christmas celebrations with Santa, Chinese New Year, Teacher Appreciation Day, international food fairs, and regular coffee mornings to facilitate parent engagement and communication.
Gallery
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school is a Penang-based international primary-focused campus located at No. 10 Nunn Road, 10350 Penang, Malaysia. The site shows four learning phases and a range of student life and policy resources.

Sports Facilities
The school offers physical education taught by specialist teachers and participates in local and international sporting events. The program follows the British National Curriculum for PE with a focus on a progression of skills and regular competitive opportunities.

Academic Facilities
The school delivers an English-medium international curriculum. English follows the UK National Curriculum, complemented by the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) for Years 1–6. ICT, science, maths, and other core subjects are taught across the primary range with specialist teachers as appropriate.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Residential trips are a core part of learning, with annual domestic trips linked to each year group (Year 3 Taiping; Year 4 Kuala Lumpur; Year 5 Cameron Highlands; Year 6 Langkawi). After-school activities are offered, and a range of enrichment options (e.g., robotics, coding, arts) is described within the curriculum pages.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school delivers a broad, British-based curriculum for ages 3 to 11. English is the medium of instruction, with the UK National Curriculum guiding English and the English National Curriculum (2014) guiding Mathematics. The International Primary Curriculum (IPC) is taught to Years 1–6 to link History, Geography, Technology, Art, Society and Internationalism in a topic-based approach. English as an Additional Language (EAL) and a Learning Support Programme provide targeted help, with Individual Educational Plans as appropriate.

Arts & Creative
Music is taught by specialist teachers. In the Early Years, music is learned through musical play; later lessons focus on singing, dancing, playing instruments and musical theory to foster enjoyment and proficiency. The school emphasises a creative musical experience as part of the curriculum.

Cultural & Language
Mandarin and German are offered as additional languages from Year 1; Bahasa Malaysia is offered for Malaysian nationals. German for native speakers is taught in collaboration with the German School Association. Bahasa Malaysia follows the Malaysian Government Syllabus for Years 1–6, with Moral Education and Malaysian History included. French and Spanish are planned additions.

Social & Hobbies
The school runs an after-school activities (ASA) programme with a wide range of activities after school, typically 3:00–4:00 pm; activities are optional and signing up is via an online booking system. Some activities may not run if sign-ups are low.

Leadership & Professional
Leadership opportunities include Year 6 prefects, House Captains and Librarians, providing roles to develop PSHE and leadership skills and to support younger pupils.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
OPAL provides outdoor play and learning, including nature exploration, mud kitchen, den building and wheeled play; OPAL emphasises outdoor play and well-being and invites parent and community involvement. Residential trips for Years 3–6 occur in Malaysia (Taiping, Kuala Lumpur, Cameron Highlands, Langkawi). Physical Education is taught by specialist teachers and follows the British National Curriculum, with participation in local and international sporting competitions.
Languages

Language Provision
The school uses English as the medium of instruction. English as a Second Language (ESL) support is provided. Modern Languages offered include German and Bahasa Malaysia.
Reputation

Awards
There are no publicly documented awards specifically presented to the school.

Accreditations
British Schools Overseas (BSO) – Inspectorate Approved (2024): SCIPS was most recently inspected in June 2024 by Penta International and met all BSO standards, confirming alignment with UK school quality benchmarks.

Federation of British International Schools in Asia (FOBISIA) Membership: SCIPS has been a member since 1989, indicating participation in a cooperative network of British-style international schools in the region
Admissions

Admissions
1. If you would like to see SCIPS in person, schedule a campus tour. This allows you to experience the school’s environment and meet key staff. The admissions team will guide you through classrooms, play areas, and facilities, and can answer any questions you have regarding the curriculum, support programmes, or student life.

2. Prepare and submit the official application alongside required documents. Typically, SCIPS requests your child’s birth certificate, recent school reports, passport or NRIC copies for both student and parents, and recent passport-sized photographs. These documents help the admissions team verify eligibility, determine the appropriate year group, and plan for any additional learning or language support needs.

3. Await confirmation from the admissions team regarding the settling-in assessment period. SCIPS normally conducts a four-week assessment period once a student joins the school. This helps teachers understand your child’s academic level, language proficiency, and social integration, allowing them to offer targeted support for a smooth transition.

4. Discuss the year-group placement and any additional support requirements identified during assessment. SCIPS provides Learning Support and English as an Additional Language (EAL) programmes, and the admissions team will discuss these with you if relevant. They will clarify any concerns and explain how the school’s curriculum aligns with your child’s previous education and future learning pathway.

5. Review the school’s fee structure, payment terms, and required deposits. The admissions team will guide you through SCIPS's tuition fees, registration fees, deposit requirements, available sibling discounts, and payment timelines. This will help ensure you clearly understand all financial commitments before confirming enrolment.

6. Finalize your child’s admission by arranging any necessary student visa or residency documents (for international families).
Once your enrolment is confirmed, the school will provide orientation details and communicate the official start date. Practical information regarding uniforms, school schedules, and transport options will also be shared, ensuring your child is ready for their first day at SCIPS.

Scholarships
SCIPS does not offer scholarships or financial awards; all placements follow the standard admissions and fee structure.

Waitlist
If your chosen year group is full, SCIPS places your child on a first-come, first-served waitlist, with siblings of current students given priority. The school will contact you when a space opens.
School Events
The school has not added events
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