Frequently Asked Questions
Swot Shop FAQs
Is this right for my child?
Bright, motivated children who enjoy learning and are ready to be challenged beyond what school alone offers. We have run enrichment and extension programs for gifted children for 34 years, from Kindergarten through to Year 7.
For 34 years, The Swot Shop has offered a unique approach to learning, focusing on long-term value through enrichment activities. Our programs cater to the specific needs of intelligent students – beyond just improving school exam marks.
Our admissions process allows us to teach classes at an advanced pace. All students are assessed prior to joining and are allocated placements based on their academic standing. Those who do not reach the benchmark for entry are not offered a place.
Our team of experienced, university-qualified teachers are dedicated to creating a supportive and stimulating environment where your child can thrive academically and personally. We understand that every child is unique and may require different approaches to learning, which is why we tailor our programs to meet the specific needs of each individual student.
With The Swot Shop, you can trust that your child will receive access to a highly valued and proven education institution with the personalised attention and support they need to reach their full potential.
Yes, unless you are enrolling your child in the Springboard Kindy program. Entry testing is required for all Year 1-7 students.
So that every class is a group of similarly able, like-minded students. Children learn best alongside peers working at their level – they take part with confidence rather than struggling to keep up or waiting for others to catch up.
We offer the opportunity to re-test after 6-12 months depending on the time of the year and the individual student’s results.
We understand that every child is unique and may not perform their best on a single assessment. That’s why we offer the chance for re-assessment. This allows your child to have another opportunity to showcase their abilities and potentially be placed in a program that better suits their needs.
Our goal is to support your child’s growth and development and we believe that giving them a second chance to demonstrate their skills is important in achieving this. If your child is not successful on the entry assessment, we encourage you to consider re-testing to see how they have progressed and to explore other program options that may be a better fit.
We are committed to providing the best possible learning experience for your child.
No trial classes, but new students have a 7-day cooling-off period with a money-back guarantee.
To provide peace of mind to families who are new to our programs, we offer a 7-day cooling off period with a money back guarantee under the following terms and conditions:
🔹Applies only to new students enrolling in a program for the first time. It does not apply to students who have previously attended The Swot Shop, including those re-enrolling in the same or a different program.
🔹If a student attends their first lesson and decides not to continue, parents must notify us in writing within 7 days of the first class to be eligible for a refund. Classes must be ceased after the first lesson.
🔹This policy does not apply to holiday programs.
🔹The refund will be issued via the original payment method.
Register for an entry assessment (Years 1-7 students) or enrol directly into Kindy.
Interested students in Years 1-7 need to sit for an entry test to determine suitability. The assessment helps us understand your child’s current level and needs, allowing us to determine whether our programs would be best suited to your child. For suitable applicants, the entry assessment provides us with insights to tailor our programs to best support your child’s growth and development.
After the assessment, we will provide you with feedback and recommendations on which program would be most beneficial for your child. From there, you can proceed with the enrolment process and secure your child’s spot in our programs. We look forward to welcoming your child to our learning community and supporting them on their educational journey.
Classes and Teaching
Classes have a maximum of 10–16 students depending on the program. Selective Preparation classes also have teaching assistants for additional support.
Academically able children benefit from a stimulating, engaging class environment with like-minded peers. At the same time, smaller class sizes allow for more personalised attention and a better learning experience for all children. Our teaching assistants in the Selective program are there to provide extra help and support to ensure that every student is able to grasp the material and succeed in this challenging course.
If your child ever needs additional assistance or has any questions, our team is always available to help. We want to create a positive and nurturing environment where your child can thrive and reach their full potential. Don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any concerns or requests for extra support. Your child’s success is our top priority.
Yes. All our teachers hold university teaching qualifications that make them eligible to teach in private or public schools, or at university. They are experienced teachers with excellent communication skills, and they undertake ongoing professional development to stay current with teaching methods. Every member of staff holds a current Working With Children Check, and newly appointed teachers are mentored by senior staff.
Additionally, our teachers are passionate about helping students reach their full potential and are committed to creating a positive and engaging learning environment. You can trust that your child will receive high-quality instruction and support from our education team.
We monitor performance closely and will contact you if we have concerns. It is expected that the work will be challenging compared with standard schoolwork – that is the point of an extension program.
Your child might find the program easy because our teaching focuses first on ensuring that the students have an understanding of the required basic curriculum skills. The second stage builds on these skills so that ideas are refined. Finally, more difficult examples are presented.
In addition, the use of hands-on teaching materials also helps students to understanding concepts being taught.
We believe in fostering a growth mindset and providing opportunities for progression and advancement for all students. Your child’s academic growth and development are important to us, and we are committed to supporting them every step of the way.
Feel free to discuss any concerns or questions you may have about your child’s academic progress with our team. We are here to help your child reach their full potential and achieve success.
A folder is provided in every program for carrying work between home and class, and a covered exercise book where one is needed. This folder is to be brought in each lesson. Pens, pencils, gluesticks and erasers are provided in every classroom. Folders are replaced each semester and exercise books when full.
Our goal is to make learning as accessible and stress-free as possible for both students and parents. We understand the financial burden that can come with purchasing school supplies, which is why we provide all necessary materials and stationery at no extra cost.
We understand the importance of balancing academics with other activities and believe that homework should be a tool to reinforce learning, not overwhelm students. Our goal is to provide meaningful and manageable assignments that support your child’s learning outside of the classroom.
Homework averages no more than thirty minutes each week, except for the Selective Preparation program. No homework is set for Springboard Kindy and Year 1 students.
Every Selective Preparation class has a teaching assistant as well as a teacher. Assistants are high-achieving university students or senior students at selective high schools – often former Swot Shop students who know our approach. They help individual students, assist with marking so work comes back quickly, and handle administration, which frees the teacher to concentrate on teaching. They are also excellent role models.
Progress and Feedback
Detailed statistical reports, emailed assessment results, and annual competition performance information. Every program has a set reporting rhythm, so you know what you’ll receive and when – see Reports & Feedback for the term-by-term schedule.
They are a series of twelve graded levels, working much like grades in music or coloured belts in judo. They give students a sense of measured progress and provide you with concrete feedback.
Mastery tests are offered three times a year in Terms 1, 3 and 4. Students are not expected to pass at every attempt – a parallel test at the same level follows in the next session. Students who pass mastery levels 3, 6, 9 and 12 earn a Swot Shop ribbon. Click here to learn more about our unique approach to learning.
In Advanced English and Maths Talent, promotion is automatic on passing Mastery levels 3, 6, 9 and 12.
Unfortunately not. Our internal test papers are reused across testing sessions, so we have to keep them secure – releasing them would compromise the test for every student. You always receive the results.
Ribbons are awarded for meritorious performance across assessments and competitions. A student who collects five ribbons from a single program in one calendar year earns the Galileo Gold, English Gold or Maths Gold trophy – just bring the five ribbons to reception. Ribbons can’t be reissued, so they’re worth looking after.
Each level has a limit – two or four semesters depending on the program – so that no one repeats material. Many levels span more than one school grade, which lets brighter students move ahead at their own pace.
Contact our reception team. Administrative questions are usually handled on the spot. Anything about teaching or progress goes to our Education Team, who will contact you. You can also book a short phone or face-to-face consultation through reception.
Fees and Payment
Fees are paid upfront, either by semester (two terms) or by term. There is a discount for paying by semester.
If your child starts partway through a term or semester, fees are calculated pro-rata.
Fees cannot, however, be reduced for weeks missed at the end of term. Pro-rata only applies to a late start, not to absences later in the term.
No. Our fees are all-inclusive. There are no additional charges for GST, membership, photocopying, materials, special events or competition entry fees.
By BPay, or by Visa or Mastercard at reception. We are unable to accept cheques or cash.
Invoices are emailed at the end of each term for the following term. If you have paid by semester, you won’t receive a term invoice.
If your child misses a class
Your child is welcome to attend a make-up lesson in the same week. Most of our programs run several times a week – check the timetable here for the options. No booking is needed; just check in at reception on arrival. Two make-up classes are available each term, per program.
Email [email protected] and we’ll email the work, with answers. This is available twice a term, for work from the previous fortnight. English students should still hand their homework in the following week.
It is far better than missing the lesson, but it works best as an occasional fix. Children get the most from consistent attendance in one class, with the same teacher and the same peers.
Changing or leaving a class
Simply email us. Written notice is required – stopping attendance is not treated as a withdrawal. We refund the unused lessons from the date you notify us, less an administration fee equal to two lessons per subject. Refunds are processed after your child’s last class, back to your original payment method.
Refunds are not available for withdrawals after week 5 of Term 4, because a place vacated at the end of a year can’t be filled.
Yes, subject to a vacancy. A $20 administration fee applies to changes made during a term or in the week before a new term, plus the weekend charge where relevant. Moving from a weekend to a weekday class doesn’t attract the $20 fee, but the weekday discount isn’t refunded.
We’ll add your child to a waiting list and offer an alternate class meanwhile. The $20 change fee applies when you move into the waitlisted class – unless the waitlist came about because your first choice was already full when you enrolled, in which case there’s no fee.
Coming to the centre
Our Education Centre is at Building C, 8 Columbia Way, Baulkham Hills NSW 2153, in Sydney’s north-west. All classes are held in person. Phone (02) 9634 2000.
Monday to Friday from 9:30am, Saturday from 8:00am and Sunday from 8:45am – each day until the last class finishes.
During school holidays the office is open weekdays 9:30am to 4:30pm. Holiday hours may vary; please contact us prior if you plan to visit during this time.
We have 40 spaces, marked with our name. Please don’t use spaces allocated to other tenants, or those marked “Swot Shop staff” – our teachers need those to arrive and start on time. Enter from Columbia Way so traffic past our entrance flows one way. You may drop off in the safety zone near the front door, but please do not park or wait there. Children may be on the roadway, so please drive with caution.
Students may be on the premises up to 15 minutes before their class, and should be collected as soon as it finishes. We take full responsibility for students for the duration of their class. If something beyond your control delays you, call us – our staff stay until every child has been collected. Students wait inside at reception.
Fruit and bottled water only – two-hour classes include a short break during which fruit may be eaten. Please don’t send other food.
If your child may need an EpiPen, a parent must remain in the building for the duration of their class.
OC & Selective Preparation
Year 3 students looking to join are required to sit the OC entry test in Term 3. Places are limited and entry is competitive – not all applicants are admitted. The course runs for two terms – Term 4 of Year 3 and Term 1 of Year 4 – followed by an optional holiday review program, finishing at the exam in May (TBC).
Year 5 students looking to join are required to sit the Selective entry test in Term 1. Places are limited and entry is competitive – not all applicants are admitted. Classes run from Term 2 of Year 5 through to the exam in May of Year 6 (TBC).
Because they are genuinely demanding courses, built for children who are highly academically able. The entry test exists so that the children who join will enjoy the course and benefit from it, rather than find it dispiriting.
Holiday Programs and Competitions
Weekly classes don’t run in the state school holidays, except occasionally where a public holiday shifts the calendar. We do offer separate holiday programs, charged as an additional fee. Subscribe to our Newsletter to receive updates.
Holiday programs are confirmed on a term basis. We run OC Review and Selective Writing & Review programs in the holidays after Term 1. Enrolled families are emailed details of every holiday program and invited to book. In some instances, our holiday programs are also open to external families. Subscribe to our Newsletter for updates.
The Australian Maths Trust, at the University of Canberra, allows our primary students to enter their secondary Australian Maths Competition, and our mathematicians also take part in the Maths Challenge for Young Australians. Students are selected by invitation and The Swot Shop covers the entry fees. Students who accept must remain enrolled in classes.
Join us on the path to excellence
Discover the difference of the Swot Shop approach. While we provide high-quality tuition and coaching, we’re far more than just a coaching centre. With our commitment to critical thinking, personalised learning and academic excellence, we aim to enrich your your child’s education. Learn more about how we can contribute to your child’s bright future.
