Navigating the Next Chapter: What to Do After Secondary 1 Posting Results
- 5 min read
The 2025 PSLE cohort marked another significant milestone, where 98.5 per cent of students who sat for the paper were assessed to be suitable for Secondary School. This was a milestone that eventually culminated in the release of the Secondary 1 (Sec 1) posting outcomes on 19 December.
Each year, families with primary schoolers go through this same turning point.
After receiving their PSLE results and submitting their S1 Option Forms, many students picture themselves in a hoped-for school, imagining new friends, new subjects, and a fresh environment. Yet the release of Secondary 1 posting results does not simply close the door on Primary School. It signals the start of a new academic phase, often leaving parents and students thinking about what steps come next.
So, what do you have to do after the S1 posting results?
Understanding the Placement System
The S1 posting process follows a structured approach designed to allocate school places fairly across the cohort. At its core, placement is guided first by academic performance. This means that students with stronger PSLE results are considered earlier for vacancies within their chosen schools, based on the posting groups they are eligible for and the number of available places in each Secondary School.
When demand exceeds supply, additional layers come into play.
For instance, if several students with the same PSLE score compete for the final places in a school, priority is given by citizenship status, followed by how highly the school was ranked on their choice list. Only when these factors are identical does a computerised ballot step in. This system is why thoughtful school ranking matters, as choice order can make a real difference when places are limited in your child’s school of choice.
Accessing the Posting Outcome
Aside from understanding how placements are decided, the next concern for most families is a practical one: knowing when the results are released and where to check them. After all, once the posting window closes, attention shifts from decision‑making to confirmation, as parents and students prepare to receive the official school placement outcome and plan the next steps.
Viewing School Placement Results
Based on previous release patterns, Secondary 1 posting outcomes are usually made available in the mid or second half of December, and families can expect a similar timeline going into 2026.
Results are also released through several official channels:
- S1 Portal (Singpass login required): Parents can access the dedicated portal once it goes live on release day to view the confirmed school placement.
- SMS notification: A text message is typically sent to the registered contact number with the posting details.
- Primary School support: Families may also reach out to their child’s Primary School for assistance in confirming the posting outcome.
Preparing for the New Academic Term
Say your child receives a placement in the Secondary School they were hoping for. The next step is preparation, and each Secondary School in Singapore handles this differently. As such, parents should always refer to the school’s official website or the Parents Gateway app for instructions on:
- When and where to report on the first day of school
- Orientation and familiarisation activities for Secondary 1 students
- Purchasing new uniforms, textbooks, and other required materials
Do note that even if you are planning to submit an appeal for a school transfer, your child must still report to their posted school when the new term begins.
Does Your Child Need to Physically Report to the Secondary School Immediately?
There is no need to go down to the Secondary School straight after receiving the posting outcome as students are only required to report in person on the official first day of the school term.
Before that, schools usually release instructions online, and some may ask parents to complete registration forms or submit details digitally before the start of the academic year, so it’s worth checking the school’s website or Parents Gateway regularly.
When Does the New School Year Begin?
The Secondary School academic year typically starts in the first week of January. For the 2026 intake, students reported to school on Thursday, 2 January.
In 2027, students can expect to report to their new Secondary Schools starting Tuesday, 4 January, as 2 January falls on a Saturday. If circumstances prevent attendance, the school should be informed as soon as possible so arrangements can be made and the placement can be secured.
Easing the Transition into Secondary School Life
Beyond these updates, to help your child ease into the shift, it’s a good idea to start making small adjustments at home. Shift sleep routines earlier if needed, walk through the daily route to school, and leave room for open conversations. Some children may be excited. Others may feel anxious, especially if they’re going in without familiar friends. Helping them feel prepared, even in small ways, can ease the tension and build confidence before Day One arrives.
Excel in the New School Year with TLS Tutorials
The leap to Secondary 1 introduces more than just new faces and classrooms. It brings an academic shift that can feel overwhelming, especially in subjects like Science and Math, where foundational gaps tend to widen quickly if left unaddressed. Building confidence early can thus help your child adjust to the new rigour while maintaining the momentum from Primary School.
TLS Tutorials supports this transition with focused Secondary Science tuition and Secondary Math tuition delivered by experienced tutors. Every class is kept small with no more than four students to ensure each child receives the targeted guidance they need. With structured support and personal attention, students are equipped not only to keep up but to thrive from the very first term.
Ready to start strong? Enquire today about our Secondary School Math and Science tuition programmes.