Edarabia had the opportunity to interview Soh Bee Ling, Principal of The Grange Institution, a forward-thinking international school in Singapore. In this exclusive interview, Soh Bee Ling shared her insights on education for a sustainable future, the challenges and opportunities in the field of education, and The Grange Institution’s unique approach to nurturing students’ growth and development.

1. What are your plans for 2025?

In 2025, The Grange Institution will continue to prioritise educating for sustainable development through our Cambridge primary programme and our multi award-winning Green Granger initiative.

We are honored to be one of only 80 organizations worldwide selected to partner with UNESCO in celebrating the United Nations’ 80th anniversary and the 10th anniversary of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), through their World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development 2025 event.

This project has inspired us to curate new experiential learning opportunities, including a collaboration with our sister school, TG International School in Phnom Penh, on a project addressing water sanitation in rural villages. This project will provide our students with hands-on experience in sustainable engineering. Additionally, we are enhancing our sports facilities including a new 7-a-side football field and to promote sportsmanship and healthy living.

2. How do you decide what to focus on academically each year, and which new ideas are you pursuing?

Each year, we evaluate our academic focus by considering the evolving needs of our students and the global educational landscape. This year for example, while we are continuing our commitment to educating for sustainable development, the UNESCO partnership has enabled us to think larger, focusing on building teamwork and partnerships not just within the four walls of our schools, but regionally as well.

An example is exploring what we term the Cre8tors Initiative, where we look at partnering local entrepreneurial ventures, community organizations, and NGOs to collaborate with students to generate ideas and innovative solutions for a more sustainable future.

We are embarking on using Cambridge Global Perspectives as our thematic units of learning, as it aligns more seamlessly with the Cambridge English, Math, and Science curriculum we already offer. These units of learning align with our school focus to develop ‘Creators in action’ which is part of our school vision.

3. What challenges do you anticipate in the field of education over the next 5 years?

As students’ needs become more diverse with increasing different needs, the school needs to be ready to support these needs. Staff needs to be qualified and trained to handle them as they are welcome into the school. School programmes need to also be more inclusive and be able to cater to these different needs. Ultimately, the school needs to model what it means to live, play and work in an inclusive society.

4. How do you keep students interested in learning, especially those who struggle or seem unmotivated?

Connecting learning to real life through field trips, workshops and incursions makes lessons meaningful. The green outdoors at The Grange is an ‘always available’ space to inspire the students to enriched learning.

Interactive learning utilising technology, and hands-on activities, such as experiments and group projects, create dynamic and enjoyable learning experiences.

5. How does the school ensure all students feel welcome and have the same chances to succeed?

Every student is unique. Equal opportunities are presented to all, regardless of cultures, or nationalities or abilities.

The Grange aims to foster an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and promotes cultural awareness. As a boutique school with an average of around 15 students per class, it allows teachers to create personalised learning that tailors to individual needs.

Supportive relationships between teachers, staff, and students create a sense of belonging and trust. Fair access to resources, such as technology and co-curricular activities, provides all students with the necessary tools to succeed.

The school celebrates achievements, both academic and non-academic. School assemblies are held to recognise achievements in competitions by students. This instils a healthy level of competitive spirit within the school community to succeed and achieve results.

6. How proactive is the school in matters of student stress and bullying?

We value safety and well-being for our staff and students.

We work hard, but we also play hard.  We ensure sufficient play time for our students. We recognise the importance of balancing academic demands with students’ well-being. To manage stress, we carefully monitor and balance the amount of homework assigned, ensuring it is purposeful and manageable.

In terms of bullying, The Grange has a zero-tolerance policy. We actively promote a culture of respect, responsibility and kindness through our curriculum. We had student-led kindness initiatives to promote kindness within the school community. Our teachers and staff are trained to recognise and address bullying promptly and effectively. We also encourage open communication, allowing students to report any concerns without fear of retaliation.

7. How do  you help students build the skills they need for life after graduation?

At The Grange, the “Cre8tors in Action” is our school’s unique programme to equip students with the essential skills they need to thrive in an ever-evolving world. It focuses on fostering future-ready skills such building partnership and collaboration, recognising issues and creative problem-solving.

8. How involved are parents and the community in making the school better?

At The Grange, we believe that a strong partnership between the school and parents is essential for creating a supportive and enriching learning environment. The Grange Parent’s League is our dedicated parents committee, where parents play a crucial role as key stakeholders in the school community.

Parents are actively involved in planning and organizing various school events, from cultural festivals to sports days and community service projects. We welcome parents to provide feedback and share their views and suggestions related for the continuous improvement of the school.

9. How do you develop a school culture that attracts and keeps great teachers?

The Grange fosters a supportive leadership environment, and encourage collaboration among staff. Recognizing and appreciating teachers’ efforts, promoting work-life balance, and maintaining a positive school climate are also crucial. Competitive compensation, clear vision and goals, student engagement, and strong community involvement further contribute to creating a good school culture.

10. Do teachers at your school have growth opportunities for leadership roles?

Yes, there are leadership roles that are open for teachers to take on when they are ready.  Through our annual appraisal exercise, we have conversations with them about their career aspirations.

11. Which after-school activity would you say has the biggest positive impact on a student’s future?

We provide holistic education within school hours, including co-curricular activities that are meant to provide the platform for them to pursue their interest and discover their talents and passion.

12. As a Principal, what is your definition of success?

Success is the effort put in by each child to complete what they have set out to accomplish.

13. If you had the opportunity to inspire the world in one sentence, what would that sentence be?

Seize every opportunity to inspire a child – you never know how far it will go!