Senior School at Aberdour
Our Senior School (Years 4, 5 and 6) continues to build the children's skills and abilities, giving them a truly outstanding education both academically and in terms of their individual self-development.
Obviously, there is also a strong (and expert) focus on senior school entrance and 11+ preparation, and our "next schools" record speaks for itself. Every year, 100% of Aberdour pupils are successfully accepted into local, regional and national senior schools at 11+. In 2020/21, of the 38 children who sat entrance exams for independent senior schools, we had a staggering 84 offers from over 30 senior schools including Reigate Grammar, Caterham, Epsom, St Johns and Dunnotar. Our pupils were awarded an outstanding 27 Scholarships between them. In addition, pupils were also successful in gaining entry to local Grammar schools, High schools and Academies.
We do not believe in applying pressure. Aberdour children over-achieve because they are happy to, because they are extremely well taught, and because they are extremely well supported and encouraged.
In Senior School, and within the PAL system, we combine classroom teaching with exam preparation, interview training, and a wide range of extra-curricular and self-development options. The lifelong learning programme gives these older children even more opportunities to explore themes such as creativity and innovation, entrepreneurship, the use of advanced technology, and personal skills development.
In 2018, Aberdour was awarded the accolade of "Best Use of Technology in a UK Independent School", against major public schools with immense resources at their disposal. Our strength in making the maximum use of technology (positively, not just for its own sake), means our children can see potential that other children in other schools cannot.
In general, our aim is to make full use of of our facilities and our specialist staff, educating children to the standards of a 13+ (even 16+) school, but within a primary school environment. This gives them huge advantages both when applying to senior schools and in the way they approach life and learning.
Senior School also provides all the leadership opportunities which come from being a child at the top of an independent school, with whole-school responsibilities such as House Captains, Play watch Monitors and Games Captains. With plenty of sport, wider access to the performing and visual arts, a huge range of extra-curricular options and a flexible, personalised timetable, children will leave Aberdour with confidence, achievements of which they are proud and the skills to succeed at their senior schools and beyond.
All this, plus of course the immensely happy and encouraging atmosphere, gives children a truly outstanding education and, even more importantly, a childhood they can look back on with a smile.
Aberdour regularly prepares children for over 30 different senior schools, and pupils achieve a high level of academic success. Our pupils have been awarded 52 Scholarships in the past two years alone! We 'Find the Brilliance in Every Child' through our unique P.A.L curriculum and our 'Create, Aspire, Innovate, Explore' programme, providing a truly enriched education. We hope that our Main School video encapsulates how this is accomplished day to day.