School MattersPaya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) vs Temasek Secondary School
Compare recorded PSLE entry ranges, CCAs, DSA programmes and location, with intake years shown alongside the data.
At a glance
| Compare | Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) | Temasek Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| School type | Girls' School | Co-Ed School |
| Level | Secondary (S1-S4) | Secondary (S1-S4) |
| School tags | Autonomous | Autonomous |
| Zone | East | East |
| Address | 296 Lor Ah Soo | 600 Upper East Coast Road |
| Nearest MRT | Kovan, Serangoon | Bedok, Tanah Merah |
| Listed CCAs | 21 | 17 |
| DSA listings | 10 | 5 |
Differences to explore
- CCA
- The records share 1 CCA listing. Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) also lists Badminton (Girls), Chinese Drama (Girls), Choir (Girls), Concert Band (Girls) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Temasek Secondary School also lists Basketball (Boys), Bowling (Girls and Boys), Canoeing (Girls and Boys), Choir (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. Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) also lists Badminton (Girls), Concert Band (Girls), Guzheng Ensemble (Girls), Harp Ensemble (Girls) and more, which do not appear in the other school's records. Temasek Secondary School also lists Choir (Girls and Boys), English Drama (Girls and Boys), Leadership (Girls and Boys), Modern Dance (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 Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary): Kovan, Serangoon; for Temasek Secondary School: Bedok, Tanah Merah. Compare the full journey from home, including transfers and the walk to school.
Recorded entry ranges
| Compare | Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) | Temasek Secondary School |
|---|---|---|
| PG3 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 7–10 | 2026 · 8–11 |
| PG3 · Affiliated | 2026 · 7–20 | Not listed |
| PG2 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 21–23 | 2026 · 21–22 |
| PG2 · Affiliated | 2026 · 21–25 | Not listed |
| PG1 · Non-affiliated | 2026 · 25–30 | 2026 · 25–26 |
| PG1 · Affiliated | 2026 · 26–27 | Not listed |
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
Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary)
Land purchased in 1916 preceded the opening of Paya Lebar English School in 1917. Its early pupils were boys; girls were admitted the following year. Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School became separate primary and secondary units when it moved to Lorong Ah Soo in 1986, with the new premises officially opened in August 1987. The secondary school gained autonomous status in 2001. During PRIME upgrading it moved temporarily to Serangoon North in December 2004, returning in January 2007. This entry covers secondary provision; shared history does not make the two stages’ programmes identical.
PL21 2.0 is a cohort-wide Secondary 1 programme using technology to address real-world problems. Tier 1 includes evaluating digital information, research and note-taking, coding through Code for Fun, and investigating improvements around school, home and community. Higher-ability pupils may access ACE (STEM) or the Global Scholar Programme. ACE combines 3D-printing workshops, learning journeys and a research project; GSP focuses on sustainability and exchanges with overseas peers online. These extensions run for 1.5 years, from Secondary 1’s second semester to the end of Secondary 2, on Wednesdays 2.45pm–5pm, with possible off-campus sessions and independent research.
- Our Heritage
- PL21 2.0
- PL21 2.0 (Tier 1: Experience)
- PL21 2.0 (Tier 2: ACE (STEM))
- PL21 2.0 (Tier 2: Global Scholar Programme)
Temasek Secondary School
Temasek Secondary began in 1980, briefly sharing Bedok South Secondary’s premises before moving to its own Upper Changi Road campus that May. It officially opened in April 1982. Autonomous status and its Higher Malay Language centre followed in 1995; the move to 600 Upper East Coast Road came in 1999. MOE records student leadership as a hallmark from 2001, Cross-Cultural Awareness from 2014 and the Temasek Ignis Programme from 2016. These are the school’s own strands, distinct from Temasek JC’s Integrated Programme.
In S1 Project Culture, pupils work in groups to investigate a nationality living in Singapore, compare cultural practices and give an oral presentation. S2 Camp Culture is non-residential, combining visits and facilitated reflection; the page describes its broader Singapore-history and multicultural focus from 2018. Overseas school exchanges resumed after 2023, with examples in Thailand, Malaysia and other ASEAN countries. The local curriculum and overseas opportunities should be distinguished: families should ask which trips run for the coming cohort, how places are allocated and what participation costs.
CCAs and programmes
Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary)
- Badminton (Girls)
- Chinese Drama (Girls)
- Choir (Girls)
- Concert Band (Girls)
- English Drama (Girls)
- English Language, Drama and Debating (Girls)
- Girls' Brigade (Girls)
- Guitar Ensemble (Girls)
- Guzheng Ensemble (Girls)
- Handbell Ensemble (Girls)
- Harp Ensemble (Girls)
- Infocomm Technology (Media Production) (Girls)
- Modern Dance (Girls)
- National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) (Girls)
- Netball (Girls)
- Rhythmic Gymnastics (Girls)
- St John Brigade (Girls)
- Swimming (Girls)
- Table Tennis (Girls)
- Track and Field (Girls)
- Volleyball (Girls)
Temasek Secondary School
- Basketball (Boys)
- Bowling (Girls and Boys)
- Canoeing (Girls and Boys)
- Choir (Girls and Boys)
- Concert Band (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Environmental Science (Girls and Boys)
- Infocomm Technology (Media Production) (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- National Cadet Corps (NCC) (Land) (Boys)
- National Civil Defence Cadet Corps (NCDCC) (Girls and Boys)
- Netball (Girls)
- Robotics (Girls and Boys)
- Shooting (Girls and Boys)
- Softball (Boys)
- Track and Field (Girls and Boys)
- Wushu (Girls and Boys)
Listed DSA programmes at Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary)
- Badminton (Girls)
- Concert Band (Girls)
- Guzheng Ensemble (Girls)
- Harp Ensemble (Girls)
- Leadership (Girls)
- Netball (Girls)
- Rhythmic Gymnastics (Girls)
- Swimming (Girls)
- Table Tennis (Girls)
- Volleyball (Girls)
Listed DSA programmes at Temasek Secondary School
- Choir (Girls and Boys)
- English Drama (Girls and Boys)
- Leadership (Girls and Boys)
- Modern Dance (Girls and Boys)
- Shooting (Girls and Boys)
Questions about these schools
How should I choose between Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) and Temasek 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: Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 7–10; Temasek Secondary School 2026 · 8–11. PG3 · Affiliated: Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 7–20; Temasek Secondary School Not listed. PG2 · Non-affiliated: Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 21–23; Temasek Secondary School 2026 · 21–22. PG2 · Affiliated: Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 21–25; Temasek Secondary School Not listed. PG1 · Non-affiliated: Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 25–30; Temasek Secondary School 2026 · 25–26. PG1 · Affiliated: Paya Lebar Methodist Girls' School (Secondary) 2026 · 26–27; Temasek Secondary School Not listed.
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.