mission schools Schools established by missionary groups. The first such school to be established was St Joseph’s Institution— an English- medium school on Bras Basah Road. This was founded in 1852, and was run by the Christian Brothers (a Catholic group). The following year, Methodist missionary Sophia Cooke founded an English- medium school for girls. This was known initially as the Chinese Girls’ School, but was later renamed St Margaret’s Girls’ School. The Anglican Church opened St Andrew’s School in 1862; in 1886, Cooke, with the support of the local Chinese, opened the Anglo- Chinese School.

Unlike vernacular schools, mission schools accepted students of all races and religions. They provided education with a Christian orientation, but also followed a policy of non- interference in the religious tenets of non- Christian students.

Mission schools came to share a number of features. For instance, they favoured a full school system, in which primary and secondary education were offered at the same institution. This differentiated mission schools from government schools, where primary and secondary levels of education were divided between different institutions. Mission schools also encouraged the growth of student alumni groups and parent support groups.

Although mission schools receive government financial support, and follow the national curriculum, many have developed distinct identities.