Your Educational Journey

What to expect

The Swot Shop programs are unique. They have been developed for the purpose of adding value to students’ education and are designed for bright, gifted and motivated learners.

Students who join our programs should expect to be challenged and apply themselves with commitment and energy to the weekly classes in order to benefit from the academic enrichment and extension that the programs offer.

Our teachers are qualified and experienced primary and secondary school teachers who focus on providing students with a superb learning experience that exercises their higher level of thinking and encourages them to reach their academic potential. This is done in a way that is engaging and fun using a variety of teaching methods and approaches that may include puzzles, games, quizzes, competitions in an environment that may be less structured than school settings.

To thrive in this environment, students are encouraged to develop discipline and age-appropriate independence in the way they conduct themselves in class and in their approach. This is an important part of the learning process which fosters the ability to self-organise in relation to learning and education.

While many of our programs do involve some homework, our programs value the quality of learning over quantity. We do not promote repetitive rote-learning in class or at home as we know that this type of learning is not what bright and gifted students will benefit most from.

When students start their Swot Shop journey, they also become part of a supportive environment that fosters friendships and a sense of belonging. We know from experience that this can help to nurture bright children’s natural gifts in a way that makes them keen life-long learners.

Classes and attendance

The Swot Shop week starts on a Monday and ends on a Sunday. Our terms follow the school terms in NSW and comprise 10 weeks of weekly classes. Classes for younger students (Preschool to Year 1) have a maximum of 10-12 students. From Year 2, classes have a maximum of 16 students.

If students are unable to attend their normal lesson, they can do a so called ‘make-up’ lesson. It does not need to be booked but has to be done in the week of absence. Our timetable lists all our classes and parents can choose an alternative class that suits them best. Students can do two make-up lessons per term.

Once per term students can also request two emailed ‘missed lessons’ per term. This can be helpful for students if a make-up class is not possible.

Students can withdraw from the program at any time, however, there will be an administration fee equal to the cost of two lessons. The remaining fees will be refunded.

Please note that refunds will not be provided for withdrawals after the fifth week of Term 4 as vacant positions cannot be filled at the end of the year.