Our Curriculum
In the Junior School, pupils benefit from a hybrid timetable that blends lessons taught by their primary class teacher—covering English, Mathematics, RME, PSE, and ICT—with specialist-taught subjects in the wider school.
These include Art, Music, PE, Modern Languages, Laboratory Science, Engineering and Design Technology, Home Economics, and Computing.
Building on the topic-based approach to Social Subjects in the Prep School, older pupils eagerly explore History, Geography, and Science in greater depth. These subjects, known as “swap” subjects, are taught by specialist teachers within the Junior School staff.
Junior 1 pupils also follow a Life Skills course, addressing contemporary topics such as Personal Finance, Careers and the World of Work, and Sustainability.
Time away from textbooks is equally valuable. A variety of trips, activities, use of the school’s excellent on-campus facilities, and visiting speakers ensure pupils stay engaged, inspired, and ready to achieve.
Junior 1 pupils enjoy a two-night trip to Largs, while Junior 2 pupils embark on a five-day adventure at Benmore in Argyll.
Continuous assessment runs throughout the year, involving observation, reflection, and testing. This enables teachers to monitor each pupil’s progress and share insights with parents through two annual Parents’ Consultations, written reports in June, and informal updates, supported by Dollar’s commitment to an ‘open door’ policy.
Learning Wall
The best way to find out about our Junior School curriculum is to explore our Learning Wall.
We are proud to offer the widest range of academic subjects in Scotland, complimented by over 120 different co-curricular activities. With such a diverse offering, we are confident every child will find subjects and activities to inspire them.
STEM and FIDA
STEM is integrated into our curriculum to inspire young learners through hands-on, age-appropriate activities.
We aim to spark curiosity and creativity through engaging projects, simple experiments, and collaborative challenges, our pupils begin to develop problem-solving skills and a love for discovery.
We encourage our pupils to explore new ideas and think innovatively, all within a supportive environment where making mistakes is part of the learning journey. We are committed to nurturing these early interests, laying the groundwork for confident, inquisitive learners ready for the future.
