FAQs

What will my salary be and what benefits will I receive?

You will receive a contract and letter of appointment detailing your salary and all benefits.

What is the tax system in Singapore?

Income tax rates are progressive, for example, the higher income earners pay a proportionately higher tax, with the current highest personal income tax rate at 22%.

What time does the school day start and end?

The school day starts early at 7.55am. Infant School finishes at 2pm, the Junior and Senior Schools finish at 2.50pm. Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) run after school from 3.00-5.00pm.

What after school commitments are there?

All teachers are expected to take on a CCA after school.

What is the expectation on accompanying students on residential school trips?

Infant School students do not have residential trips, so there is no expectation. Residential school trips start in Year 3 and continue throughout Junior and Senior School. Class teachers are expected to accompany their class on trips, and in some cases may be asked to accompany additional trips. Any time out of school must be approved by the Head of School.

Do I get paid extra for accompanying a school trip?

Teachers are not paid extra for accompanying school trips. The only exception to this may be if the trip falls over a school holiday.

Where will I be living?

Rental prices in Singapore vary based on the district / location.
These rates are purely market driven and depend on the demand-supply scenario. 

Tanglin Faculty Staff are mainly located within Districts 3, 5, 10, 21 and 23 due to its proximity to the school. Overseas recruited staff will be entitled to cash housing allowance to assist with their accommodation in Singapore.

Am I able to come earlier to choose my own accommodation?

The School will provide up to 10 complimentary nights before the start date of your contract for you to settle-in and secure your housing. For any earlier arrival, it will be at your own expenses.

What type of accommodation does Singapore offer?

Singapore has a diverse range of public and private housing.

Public housing such as flats by the Housing Development Board (HDB) are more affordable as it is subsidised and regulated by the government. 

Private housing comprises of condominiums, terrace houses, shop houses, townhouses and black and whites. Condominiums offer additional facilities such as a swimming pool, gym, tennis courts, BBQ pits and security. A house is generally larger in space but is more expensive and lower in supply.

Will my partner be able to get a pass to live and work in Singapore?

If you are married, your spouse will automatically receive a Dependent’s Pass which allows them to live in Singapore. If they would like to work, their employer will need to apply for a suitable work pass for them.

If you are unmarried, we can apply for a Long Term Visit Pass (LTVP) for common-law spouse. You will need to provide the relevant paperwork for this.

Will my children be able to study in the school?

Teachers’ children are given priority to study at Tanglin.  Overseas recruited teachers receive 100% school fee subsidy up to 2 children (please note that this benefit is subject to tax).

If I choose to send my children to a different school, will Tanglin help with the school fees?

Tanglin will only cover school fees of children who attend Tanglin. If you choose to send your children to school elsewhere, you will need to cover the cost of the school fees.

What childcare options are available for young children?

Singapore does not have many childcare options such as creches or babysitters. However, there are year-round pre-schools available. 
Most people hire a Foreign Domestic Helper to support with looking after young children and housework.

How do I go about getting a Foreign Domestic Helper?

There are many agencies in Singapore who can help you find a good Foreign Domestic Helper. Alternatively, word of mouth amongst the expat community is another way.

What medical coverage is available?

Overseas recruited staff are covered under the comprehensive international medical insurance plan. Their family members (spouse/partner and up to 2 children) are also covered under the plan.

What is the standard of healthcare in Singapore?

Singapore has both Private and Public Hospitals available, and the healthcare standards are excellent. Hospitals are clean, efficient with the state-of-the-art facilities and equipment available for treatment.

Will my family / partner be covered under the medical insurance plan?

Families of overseas recruited teachers are covered under the international medical insurance plan. Unmarried partners will not be covered under the initial contract.

What is the standard of public transport in Singapore?

Singapore clinched the top spot for public transport affordability and scored well in transport efficiency and safety. Singapore has created a best-in-class public transport system, which is accessible, efficient, convenient, sustainable, and at the same time affordable. 
You have the choice of travelling by MRT, bus, taxis, private car, and foot to explore the sights, sounds, and smells of this vibrant city.

Top-up EZ-link cards are used to check in and out of MRT stations and buses.
Taxis are reasonable but surcharges are added during peak hours and from midnight to 6.00am. 

Services include Comfort Delgro, Grab & Gojek.

Am I able to buy a car when I arrive in Singapore?

Yes, but do note that cars in Singapore are very expensive. You may want to wait to see if you really need a car before investing in one. The school can help with a loan to buy a car if you choose to do so.

Do I need to convert my driving license to a Singapore driving license?

You can drive with an international driving license for the first year in Singapore. Before the end of your first year, you must convert it to a Singapore driving license. You need to sit for a Basic Theory test to convert.

What opportunities are there to travel around the region?

Singapore is ideally situated to travel and explore around the region, with many destinations only a few hours flight away. There are several budget airlines which offer extremely competitive fares, for example, Scoot, Cebu Pacific, Lion Air, JetStar and Air Asia.

What opportunities are there to travel with work?

While the school is keen to keep teachers in front of the students as much as possible, there are opportunities to travel with work on residential school trips, professional development training courses and conferences.

Where can I go shopping?

Shopping in Singapore is one of the best experiences to have in the country with a variety of malls that offer western as well as local brands. Being one of the world's best destinations for buying almost everything at great prices, the country is a true paradise for every Shopaholic. 

Where can I buy groceries?

Singapore has plenty of supermarket chains such as Cold Storage, Giant and FairPrice to source fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and seafood.

It is also famous for local markets also known as Hawker Markets that serve as a relatively cheaper option.

Online shopping is becoming increasingly popular. There are websites such as RedMart that deliver groceries to your doorstep. You can find other websites as well that sell pre-loved items.
 

Will maternity costs be covered?
Maternity coverage will only be available for new staff and their spouse/partner after they have been at Tanglin for 12 months.