Why Scotch College Junior School?

There have been many times over my career that I hear parents discussing why a private education at a school like Scotch is not required until their child is older when the ‘important’ learning occurs. My experience demonstrates why this choice is of such benefit to our youngest students. In fact, I would argue that it is while the child is at their earliest stage of learning that this choice is hugely beneficial and can set the child’s love of learning and light the spark within them to achieve to their full potential throughout their educational journey and into their adult working life.

We now know that children’s brains develop at an incredible speed in the early years of life, a time when many neural pathways are formed, and connections are made. Learning is rapid at this time and the foundations built early will be ever relied upon. The experiences and opportunities a child is given is integral to their growth and learning, now and in later years. Positive relationships and experiences assist in healthy brain development and can impact on a child’s learning for years to come. Put simply, the early years of a child’s learning experiences lay the foundation for all that is to come and are an important catalyst to their future options.

Children build a picture of themselves as learners from the start of their educational journey. This concept of self creates a belief in their abilities to take risks in their learning, problem solve, investigate, question and learn from getting things wrong. It invigorates their natural curiosity and creativity and when fostered, nourished and nurtured, important foundations are laid. There is strong evidence that enriched, stimulating environments and high-quality pedagogy are fostered by better qualified staff; and better quality pedagogy leads to better learning outcomes (Litjens and Taguma, 2010). The right learning environment coupled with skilled teachers who are experienced and understand how to construct and enhance environments and programmes to harness and support children from their very early learning experiences, will cement these abilities that can be called upon throughout the child’s schooling and life.

What cannot be underestimated, is the necessity for early intervention through thorough practices and the monitoring of learning and understandings throughout the early primary period. Research clearly indicates that with well planned and complete practices in place to recognise, act and monitor each child’s progress, the majority of children achieve age appropriate educational, social and emotional milestones which will allow them to access and continue their educational journey successfully into Middle School and beyond. Research demonstrates, that children who are in educational settings where early interventions are supported and well implemented may show potential for increased academic readiness in the later years, achieve stronger results and have better peer interactions. The influence a school environment like Scotch can have on a child’s later success in school is unassailable.

The best teachers, strong pedagogical practices and a learning community that strives to meet the needs of each growing and changing child is what a Scotch Junior School experience entails. Add to this the exceptional Pastoral and Wellbeing programmes, extra-curricular opportunities, facilities, grounds and endless opportunities to experience broader programmes beyond the classroom, such as Bush and Beach School, and the evidence speaks for itself. Making the choice to embark on a Scotch education in the early years is something you can do to equip your child with the tools they will need for their later schooling and future learning. The best possible foundations is something you will never regret and they will never forget!