School MattersDunearn Secondary School vs Tampines Secondary School
Compare recorded PSLE entry ranges, CCAs, DSA programmes and location, with intake years shown alongside the data.
At a glance
| Compare | Dunearn Secondary School | Tampines Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| School type | Co-Ed School | Co-Ed School |
| Level | Secondary (S1-S4) | Secondary (S1-S4) |
| School tags | Not listed | Not listed |
| Zone | West | East |
| Address | 21 Bukit Batok West Avenue 2 | 252 Tampines St 12 |
| Nearest MRT | Bukit Batok, Bukit Gombak | Tampines |
| Listed CCAs | 13 | 16 |
| DSA listings | 1 | 9 |
Differences to explore
- CCA
- The records share 6 CCA listings. Dunearn Secondary School also lists Football (Boys), Infocomm Technology (Media Production) (Girls and Boys), Media Resource Library (Girls and Boys), National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Girls and Boys) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Tampines Secondary School also lists Art and Crafts (Girls and Boys), BADMINTON, Chinese Dance (Girls and Boys), Design and Innovation (Girls and Boys) 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 0 DSA programme listings. Dunearn Secondary School also lists Community Youth Leadership (Girls and Boys), which do not appear in the other school's records. Tampines Secondary School also lists Chinese and Modern Dance (Girls), Choir (Girls and Boys), Concert Band (Girls and Boys), English Drama (Girls and Boys) 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 Dunearn Secondary School: Bukit Batok, Bukit Gombak; for Tampines Secondary School: Tampines. Compare the full journey from home, including transfers and the walk to school.
Recorded entry ranges
| Compare | Dunearn Secondary School | Tampines Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| PG3 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 11–22 | 2026 · 13–19 |
| PG2 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 22–25 | 2026 · 21–24 |
| PG1 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 25–29 | 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
Dunearn Secondary School
Dunearn began as Dunearn Government Chinese Middle School at Hillcrest Avenue in 1962. It merged with Dunearn Vocational School in 1969, bringing Chinese- and English-medium education and academic and technical courses together. The school moved to Bukit Batok West Avenue 2 in 1993. Its former pre-university course was phased out in 1994. PRIME rebuilding involved a temporary Jalan Boon Lay site in 2016 and a return to Bukit Batok in 2018; older campus and pre-university memories need that context.
The current ApLM page says pupils have an opportunity to take an Applied Learning Module in Secondary 3. Its 2025 examples include Singapore Polytechnic food innovation, Python and machine-learning work that recognises food items, and game-character design using Wacom tablets and Photoshop. Food activities involved sensory analysis and recipes such as ice cream and croissants. These are dated examples of different modules, not a promise that one pupil takes all three. Families should ask which modules will be offered and how preferences are allocated for their cohort.
Tampines Secondary School
Tampines Secondary opened to its first 458 pupils on 2 January 1986, with 12 teachers and founding principal Koh Sei Hian. Its official opening followed on 8 August 1988. The school later underwent PRIME upgrading in 2008 and developed creative engineering and visual and performing arts as distinctive areas. Its founding motto, Betterment of Self for Society, remains part of the school’s stated identity. The history gives context for the current programmes; it does not establish how every pupil experiences the school or its present exam performance.
Creative Engineering: Tinker, Design, Innovate offers all Sec 1 pupils upcycling and drone activities, then group challenges related to water or technology. Sec 2 includes building a solar toy car, Microbit coding and challenges about energy or ageing. These Tier 1 sessions use a Maker Hub with fabrication and electronics equipment. Tier 2 gives interested pupils opportunities for student-led projects; the more advanced Maker Faire CCA track involves identified, especially enthusiastic pupils. The page still contains a pandemic-era statement about overseas trips being on hold, so it cannot confirm the present travel programme or availability.
CCAs and programmes
Dunearn Secondary School
- Basketball (Girls and Boys)
- Choir (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Football (Boys)
- Infocomm Technology (Media Production) (Girls and Boys)
- Media Resource Library (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Land) (Boys)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Girls and Boys)
- Scouts (Boys)
- St John Brigade (Girls and Boys)
- Table Tennis (Girls and Boys)
Tampines Secondary School
- Art and Crafts (Girls and Boys)
- BADMINTON
- Basketball (Girls and Boys)
- Chinese Dance (Girls and Boys)
- Choir (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- Design and Innovation (Girls and Boys)
- Digital Media (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- FOOTBALL
- GIRL GUIDES
- MALAY DANCE
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- NETBALL
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Land) (Boys)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC)
Listed DSA programmes at Dunearn Secondary School
- Community Youth Leadership (Girls and Boys)
Listed DSA programmes at Tampines Secondary School
- Chinese and Modern Dance (Girls)
- Choir (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Football (Girls and Boys)
- Malay Dance (Girls)
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- Stem - Creative Engineering and Modelling (Girls and Boys)
- Visual Arts (Girls and Boys)
Questions about these schools
How should I choose between Dunearn Secondary School and Tampines 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: Dunearn Secondary School 2026 · 11–22; Tampines Secondary School 2026 · 13–19. PG2 · Non-affiliated: Dunearn Secondary School 2026 · 22–25; Tampines Secondary School 2026 · 21–24. PG1 · Non-affiliated: Dunearn Secondary School 2026 · 25–29; Tampines 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.