School MattersAssumption English School vs Dunman Secondary School
Compare recorded PSLE entry ranges, CCAs, DSA programmes and location, with intake years shown alongside the data.
At a glance
| Compare | Assumption English School | Dunman Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| School type | Co-Ed School | Co-Ed School |
| Level | Secondary (S1-S4) | Secondary (S1-S4) |
| School tags | Not listed | Autonomous |
| Zone | West | East |
| Address | 622 Upper Bukit Timah Road | 21 Tampines Street 45 |
| Nearest MRT | Cashew | Tampines East |
| Listed CCAs | 13 | 17 |
| DSA listings | 7 | 9 |
Differences to explore
- CCA
- The records share 6 CCA listings. Assumption English School also lists English Language, Drama and Debating (Girls and Boys), Floorball (Boys), Football (Boys), Girl Guides (Girls) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Dunman Secondary School also lists Badminton (Boys), English Drama (Girls and Boys), Environmental Science (Girls and Boys), Football (Girls) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Listings may be incomplete; confirm availability with each school.
- DSA programme
- The records share 1 DSA programme listing. Assumption English School also lists Community Youth Leadership (Girls and Boys), Debating and Public Speaking (Girls and Boys), Floorball (Boys), Football (Boys) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Dunman Secondary School also lists Badminton (Boys), Choir (Girls and Boys), Concert Band (Girls and Boys), Football (Girls) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Listings may be incomplete; confirm availability with each school.
- The daily journey
- Nearby MRT stations listed for Assumption English School: Cashew; for Dunman Secondary School: Tampines East. Compare the full journey from home, including transfers and the walk to school.
Recorded entry ranges
| Compare | Assumption English School | Dunman Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| PG3 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 10–22 | 2026 · 6–14 |
| PG2 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 22–25 | 2026 · 21–23 |
| PG1 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 26–29 | 2026 · 25–27 |
Each range belongs to the intake year and programme shown. Affiliated and non-affiliated ranges are separate. D, M and P are Higher Mother Tongue requirements. Past ranges do not guarantee admission.
Get to know each school
Assumption English School
The school began in 1953 as Boys’ Town English School, founded by Brother Vincent. MOE’s Heritage Centre records that the secondary section of CHIJ Bukit Timah merged with it in 1973, when it became co-educational and took the Assumption English name. Its primary section closed in December 1992, with pupils absorbed by St Anthony’s Primary. The current building followed another rebuilding from 2013 to 2015 and was officially opened in July 2017. The present secondary school should be distinguished from neighbouring institutions and its former primary section.
The school describes SPEAK as its Applied Learning Programme, using a progression of speaking skills and projects at each level. Students showing a flair for speaking can move into debate, oratory and emceeing opportunities. The English talent page gives dated examples: teams entered debates, book trailers and poetry slam at the 2025 National Schools Literature Festival, while the 2025 Poetry Showdown used the theme of food and eating. Students may also contribute to the student-run AES Manna magazine. These examples show the kinds of writing and performance involved.
Dunman Secondary School
Dunman Secondary began at Haig Road in 1963 as Dunman Integrated Secondary School, initially with three language streams. It moved to Tampines Street 45 in 1990 and gained autonomous status in 2000. MOE records its Life Sciences Training and Research Centre and East Zone science-innovation role from 2001. The original language streams and former pre-university classes are history. Families should distinguish this Tampines secondary school from Dunman High’s SAP and six-year IP arrangements; the similar English names do not imply the same curriculum.
STEMviaDT describes applying design thinking to real-world challenges, with previous projects including a karaoke app and an essential-services app for seniors. The talent-development page separately records ELIXiR+ examples such as upcycling jeans into bags, hydroponics, a load-bearing-chair challenge and competition training. Its primary-school outreach and old 2022 DSA criteria should not be mistaken for an enrolled secondary pupil’s entitlement. The examples illustrate possible work; the pages do not establish that every pupil does every specialist activity or follows one fixed project timetable.
CCAs and programmes
Assumption English School
- Basketball (Girls and Boys)
- Choir (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- English Language, Drama and Debating (Girls and Boys)
- Floorball (Boys)
- Football (Boys)
- Girl Guides (Girls)
- Judo (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Sea) (Boys)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Girls and Boys)
- Red Cross Youth (Girls and Boys)
- Softball (Girls)
Dunman Secondary School
- Badminton (Boys)
- Basketball (Girls and Boys)
- Choir (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Environmental Science (Girls and Boys)
- Football (Girls)
- Guitar Ensemble (Girls and Boys)
- Infocomm Technology (Computing) (Girls and Boys)
- Infocomm Technology (Media Production) (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Air) (Boys)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Girls and Boys)
- Netball (Girls)
- Red Cross Youth (Girls and Boys)
- Scouts (Girls and Boys)
- Volleyball (Boys)
Listed DSA programmes at Assumption English School
- Basketball (Girls and Boys)
- Community Youth Leadership (Girls and Boys)
- Debating and Public Speaking (Girls and Boys)
- Floorball (Boys)
- Football (Boys)
- Judo (Girls and Boys)
- Softball (Girls)
Listed DSA programmes at Dunman Secondary School
- Badminton (Boys)
- Basketball (Girls and Boys)
- Choir (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- Football (Girls)
- Leadership (Girls and Boys)
- Netball (Girls)
- Stem (Girls and Boys)
- Volleyball (Boys)
Questions about these schools
How should I choose between Assumption English School and Dunman Secondary School?
Start with programmes, the CCAs your child wants and the actual journey from home. Visit both schools to assess the daily environment. Counts and past results alone do not establish which school fits your child.
How do their recorded PSLE entry ranges compare?
PG3 · Non-affiliated: Assumption English School 2026 · 10–22; Dunman Secondary School 2026 · 6–14. PG2 · Non-affiliated: Assumption English School 2026 · 22–25; Dunman Secondary School 2026 · 21–23. PG1 · Non-affiliated: Assumption English School 2026 · 26–29; Dunman Secondary School 2026 · 25–27.
Do past admission records guarantee a place?
No. Ranges belong to the intake year and programme shown and can change. Keep affiliated and non-affiliated ranges separate and retain any D, M or P Higher Mother Tongue suffix.