St. Christopher's International School

Located at No. 10 Jalan Nunn, SCIPS sits in the leafy Pulau Tikus suburb of George Town, Penang. It is close to Burmah and Macalister Roads—major thoroughfares lined with shops, eateries, and residential streets—and is served by several Rapid Penang bus routes (101, 102, 103, 104, 304, 306) within a 10–20 minute walk.

The school serves children aged 3–12, structured into Early Years (Nursery/Foundation/Reception), Primary School (Years 1–6), and an early Secondary extension (Years 7–8)—all following the British National Curriculum.

SCIPS is a co-educational, non-profit day school overseen by a board comprising expatriate and Malaysian representatives. It does not offer boarding facilities.

The school runs a dedicated Learning Support department, led by a qualified Head of Learning Support, which provides tailored interventions in literacy, numeracy, and general learning strategies. Additionally, the school offers EAL (English as an Additional Language) support within classrooms and small groups.

SCIPS is registered under Malaysian law but delivers a British-style curriculum, reflecting its international governing structure.

The school has no religious affiliation.

Drop-off begins at 7:15 am, with lessons starting at 8:00 am. Students have a morning break (10:15–10:45 am) and lunch/play (12:45–1:45 pm), before finishing early for Early Years at 2:25 pm, Primary Years at 2:50 pm, and Years 5–7 at 3:00 pm. After-School Activities typically run until 4:00 pm

SCIPS does not run its own bus service.

SCIPS follows a British-based curriculum from Early Years through Prep (ages 3–13). In Nursery and Reception, the school uses a combination of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and International Primary Curriculum (IPC), focusing on structured play to develop communication, literacy, numeracy, physical, social, and emotional skills.

Years 1–6 align with the UK National Curriculum for core subjects—English, mathematics, science, computing, PE, and PSHE—while foundation subjects continue through the IPC. Specialist instruction is provided in Mandarin, Bahasa Malaysia, German, music, and art.

In Years 7–8 (Prep), students are taught by a small team of specialist teachers and engage in enrichment activities such as robotics, coding, photography, dancing, gardening, and community-based outings, alongside standard academic content.

All phases are regularly evaluated against UK standards, with ongoing internal data monitoring and external benchmarking through British Schools Overseas inspections, including the latest review in 2020.

SCIPS places strong emphasis on personal and social development through its eight “Personal Goals” (curious, resilient, respectful, etc.), which are regularly highlighted in PSHE lessons and weekly assemblies. The Jigsaw PSHE programme supports consistent SEL across age groups. Students are taught mindfulness and reflection techniques—like chime ringing and breathing exercises—for emotional regulation. Leadership roles such as OPAL play leaders, House captains, and the Student Council further develop empathy, responsibility, and inter-personal skills.

The school provides inclusive SEN support via a dedicated Learning Support department. Although not a specialist SEN school, SCIPS offers targeted interventions and co-teaching models, with support delivered by qualified staff within classrooms or small groups. The provision is tailored to individual needs and monitored regularly through internal data and external audit processes. 

SCIPS actively supports EAL learners throughout the Early Years and Primary stages. Specialist teachers provide in-class and small-group assistance, and English proficiency is required for Year 1 entry. EAL support is embedded into English lessons and across school life.

Student wellbeing is supported through mindfulness activities integrated into PSHE and assemblies, as well as reflective social-emotional practices. Regular opportunities for mental health—such as calm art, yoga, and OPAL outdoor play—are incorporated across all age levels. The school’s emphasis on personal goals and nurturing relationships contributes to a positive school ethos and overall emotional support. 

SCIPS has well-established child protection and safeguarding policies, overseen by designated safeguarding staff, and meets all required standards under the British Schools Overseas (BSO) framework. Staff are trained, and routines like secure campus access and transportation procedures are in place. The school's single central register records staff suitability and compliance.

1. If you would like to see SCIPS in person, schedule a campus tour. This allows you to experience the school’s environment and meet key staff. The admissions team will guide you through classrooms, play areas, and facilities, and can answer any questions you have regarding the curriculum, support programmes, or student life.

2. Prepare and submit the official application alongside required documents. Typically, SCIPS requests your child’s birth certificate, recent school reports, passport or NRIC copies for both student and parents, and recent passport-sized photographs. These documents help the admissions team verify eligibility, determine the appropriate year group, and plan for any additional learning or language support needs.

3. Await confirmation from the admissions team regarding the settling-in assessment period. SCIPS normally conducts a four-week assessment period once a student joins the school. This helps teachers understand your child’s academic level, language proficiency, and social integration, allowing them to offer targeted support for a smooth transition.

4. Discuss the year-group placement and any additional support requirements identified during assessment. SCIPS provides Learning Support and English as an Additional Language (EAL) programmes, and the admissions team will discuss these with you if relevant. They will clarify any concerns and explain how the school’s curriculum aligns with your child’s previous education and future learning pathway.

5. Review the school’s fee structure, payment terms, and required deposits. The admissions team will guide you through SCIPS's tuition fees, registration fees, deposit requirements, available sibling discounts, and payment timelines. This will help ensure you clearly understand all financial commitments before confirming enrolment.

6. Finalize your child’s admission by arranging any necessary student visa or residency documents (for international families).
Once your enrolment is confirmed, the school will provide orientation details and communicate the official start date. Practical information regarding uniforms, school schedules, and transport options will also be shared, ensuring your child is ready for their first day at SCIPS.

SCIPS does not offer scholarships or financial awards; all placements follow the standard admissions and fee structure.

If your chosen year group is full, SCIPS places your child on a first-come, first-served waitlist, with siblings of current students given priority. The school will contact you when a space opens.