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Scotch College Perth

Australia, Perth

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees A$12,102 - 12,383
Ages Not listed
Pupil numbers 1700
Type Boys School, Boys School (boarding)
Opened 1897
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Australian Curriculum
Taught languages French, Indonesian, Spanish
Typical class size 22
Strengths Outdoor Education, STEM, Service and Sustainability
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language
Stages Preschool, Kindergarten, Primary School, Middle School, Senior Secondary School
Introduction

Scotch College Perth is an independent day and boarding school for boys from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12, set on a 22-hectare campus in Swanbourne, eight kilometres from Perth CBD. The curriculum blends the Western Australian and Australian Curricula with the International Baccalaureate across four stages: the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) in Junior School, the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP), and the IB Diploma Programme (DP) in Senior School. The Junior School delivers WA Curriculum within the PYP, emphasising inquiry and enrichment for academically talented students. The Middle School uses inquiry-based learning to deliver the WA National Curriculum, with modules across Arts, Design and Technology, Languages, Outdoor Education, Sport and STEM. The Senior School offers the IB Diploma, WA Curriculum and Australian Curriculum, with self-driven learning and pathways to DP, WACE or VET. Distinctive features include Moray Outdoor Education Centre, a 50m pool and Boat Shed, and Scotch's Round Square network and Duke of Edinburgh program. The school also has a Pipe Band and active arts, sport and service programs.

The Essentials

Scotch College Perth has 1,700 pupils, typical class sizes of 22, instruction in English.

Location
76 Shenton Road, Swanbourne, WA 6010. Located in the coastal suburb of Swanbourne, the campus covers about 22 hectares. It is less than 100 metres from Swanbourne Station on the Fremantle Train Line, with train, bus, bike and car transport options available.

Stages
Early Learning Centre; Junior School; Middle School; Senior School

Type
Independent day and boarding school for boys

Additional learning support
Academic support is provided with an open-door tutoring system on weekdays; Heads of Residence coordinate wellbeing and connect students with nurses, psychologists, Chaplain and other support staff as needed.

Country affiliation
Australia

Religious affiliation
Uniting Church

Bus service
Transperth school bus services are available to Scotch College students; in addition to regular Transperth services, bus costs are charged to Horizons West accounts; check Transperth for up-to-date routes and schedules.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Boarding is offered for boys in Years 7 to 12. The Boarding Houses are Robinson Residence (Middle School) and Syme Residence (Senior School). Boarding Houses house around 10% of the student population, supported by a dedicated team of boarding and academic staff; six families live onsite to provide daily care and guidance. The Head of Residence lives onsite and oversees student wellbeing, with a Housemother assigned to each Boarding House. Scotch runs a Taigh Programme to help first-time boarders build friendships and confidence, including weekly online meetings and in-person orientation camps. An open-door tutoring system operates on weekday evenings to support homework and study.

Uniform Requirement
Senior School summer uniform features khaki shorts, a khaki short-sleeved shirt, a house tie, short khaki socks with school tops, plain black lace-up leather shoes, and an optional school pullover. Winter uniform (Years 8–11) includes grey melange trousers, a black leather belt, a Scotch maroon blazer, a long-sleeved white shirt, a house tie, grey socks, plain black lace-up leather shoes, and an optional school pullover; Year 12 students wear a striped blazer. Summer and winter uniforms are worn according to term and year level.

Food Options
Catering is provided by Chartwells. Outside of school hours, meals are eaten in the College Dining Room; during the school day, morning tea and lunch are prepared in the Dining Room and served at the Middle School or Senior School Canteens. Dining is generally alfresco, with meals selected from the servery. The evening meal includes two protein options, a vegetarian option, vegetables and salads, plus dessert. Fresh fruit is available in the Dining Room, Canteen and Residences and is replenished regularly. Weekly menus are published in the Boarding Newsletter. FlexiSchools is used for online canteen ordering.

House System
In Senior School, pastoral care operates within a vertical House system, with every student placed in a House led by a House Head and supported by mentor teachers. A daily mentor group exists to foster cross-year relationships, giving younger students role models and older students leadership opportunities.

Governance and Ownership
Scotch College is incorporated under the Uniting Church in Australia Act 1976 (WA). Governance rests with three bodies: the Executive Team, the College Council and the Scotch College Foundation. The College Council governs the School and appoints the Headmaster to lead operations. The Scotch College Foundation, established in 1985, manages endowment funds and gifts, supports scholarships and capital works, and is governed by a Foundation Board.
Fees

Annual tuition at Scotch College Perth ranges from AUD 12,102 to AUD 12,383 for 2026/27.

*Application / Registration Fees*
- A Registration (application) fee of AUD 200 is payable for local students. This fee is waived for Old Scotch Collegians. Payment methods accepted for the registration fee include credit card, cash or cheque.

*Confirmation / Endowment Fee (on acceptance of offer)*
- A Confirmation Fee is payable to secure and finalise an offered place. The Confirmation Fee includes life membership of the Old Scotch Collegians programme and a non‑refundable Endowment Fee. The Confirmation Fee is non‑refundable and non‑transferable. Historically the Confirmation/Endowment element has been calculated as a proportion of the Senior School annual tuition (documentation shows an example as one quarter of the annual Senior School tuition plus the Old Scotch Collegians fee).

*Tuition fees — billing rhythm and instalments (how fees are charged and when they are due)*
- Tuition is charged on an annual basis and invoiced in four quarterly instalments. Billing of quarterly instalments occurs in October, January, April and July each year. Annual fees are required to be paid one full quarter in advance (for example, a student starting in the Summer term will receive the first quarterly instalment billed in the preceding October). Term / instalment invoices are the operational unit used for payment scheduling.

*Tuition fees — per term and per year group (how to read the invoices and instalments)
- Tuition for each year group is set as an annual amount and divided into the four quarterly instalments above. Invoices list the quarterly instalment amount for the student's year group and the calendar months when each instalment is due (October, January, April, July). For families who accept a place, the Confirmation Fee and the annual fee schedule determine the per‑term invoiced figure for that student's year group. (The College publishes a separate detailed Schedule of Fees for local students and for international students that shows the exact annual and per‑term amounts by year group.)

*Boarding fees and boarding‑related charges (where applicable)*
- Boarding is offered for students in Years 7–12. Boarding charges are additional to day‑student tuition and include specific boarding house charges and incidental boarding costs. Boarders are charged an annual Weekend Recreation fee of AUD 285 added to their account to cover organised weekend activities. Boarding families should expect additional charges for excursions, camps and some weekend recreation activities where applicable.

*Other regular and variable charges (examples parents should expect to see on accounts)*
- Resource levies: Junior School students are charged a resource levy (for stationery and basic consumables) that is billed in the Summer Term.
- Co‑curricular and music charges: Instrumental music participation fees are charged to school accounts in instalments; instrument hire is charged as an annual hire fee. Historical College guidance lists individual lesson participation fees and an instrument‑hire fee (for example, instrument hire has been listed at approximately AUD 300 per annum in College music materials). These participation and hire charges are billed separately to tuition.
- Excursions, camps, sport tours and some co‑curricular activities are charged as additional items on school accounts when they occur. Many of these are billed termly or after the activity is confirmed.
- Uniform, laptop/iPad accessories and some personal items are additional out‑of‑pocket costs; uniform purchases are handled via the College's uniform shop and may appear as separate charges or be purchased directly by families.

*Refunds and withdrawal charges*
- The Confirmation Fee is non‑refundable and non‑transferable. Other refund and withdrawal terms are governed by the College's enrolment and business terms and conditions; families should note that fee liability and any refund entitlement are determined by those enrolment conditions and the timing of any formal notice of withdrawal. (Confirmation Fee policy and the non‑refundable nature of the Endowment element are stated in the College admissions documentation.)

*Billing schedule and payment terms (practical details)*
- Invoicing schedule: quarterly invoices issued in October, January, April and July. Annual fees are charged via those quarterly instalments and are required one quarter in advance.
- Instalment options: the College operates an instalment schedule and a recurring direct‑debit facility to spread payments across the invoicing cycle; instalment calculation schedules are provided to families for direct‑debit setup.

*Accepted payment methods and practical payment options*
- Accepted methods for application and account payments include credit card (for application/registration), cash and cheque for certain admissions payments; the College provides secure online payments through Westpac for school account transactions. A recurring direct‑debit (direct debit) option is available for regular instalment payments. Families may also receive invoicing details and the College's fee instalment calculation schedule that shows how recurring drawings are applied across the annual quarters.

*Other notes on likely additional costs parents will see on accounts*
- Individual tuition (instrumental music), ensemble participation fees and instrument hire.
- Camps and Outdoor Education expedition charges (Bibbulmun Track activities and other outdoor learning excursions are charged when run).
- Voluntary or compulsory levies for certain activities, resource levies (stationery), school photographs, ID cards and extra curricular tours or travel.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) contributions for full‑fee international students (Australian Government requirement for international students).

If you require the precise numerical tuition schedule (annual and per‑term amounts by year level) for 2026/27 or, if not available, 2025/26, the College publishes a detailed Schedule of Fees for local students (Early Learning Centre; Pre‑Primary to Year 12) and a separate Schedule for international students which list the exact annual and quarterly instalment figures by year group.
Academics

Scotch College Perth teaches IB (PYP), IB (MYP), IB (DP), Australian Curriculum.

Curriculum
Junior School teaches the Western Australian Curriculum within the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (PYP). The PYP framework encourages curiosity about the world and promotes inquiry-based learning, with inclusive education and an Enrichment Programme for academically talented students. Primary Years (Years 3–5) combine traditional teaching with IB inquiry approaches and learning beyond the classroom. Middle School delivers the Western Australian National Curriculum through an inquiry-based learning framework with opportunities across the Arts, Design and Technology, Languages, Outdoor Education, Sport and STEM. Inclusive education and the Enrichment Programme support students with diverse needs and abilities across the middle years. Senior School delivers a curriculum within the IB Programme framework, the WA Curriculum and the Australian Curriculum with self-driven, inquiry-based learning; students can undertake the IB Diploma, WACE or VET pathways.

Student Teacher Ratio
In 2021 Scotch College had 1,431 students and 167 teaching staff, giving a student–teacher ratio of approximately 8.6 to 1. This ratio reflects combined across the College in that year, with the school noting a majority of teaching staff as female (about 40:60).

Exam Results
ATAR median was 85.95 in 2021 for Scotch College (132 students), with 176 candidates and 100% WACE graduation. Graduation rate was 88.90% and 99.70% of leavers gained access to at least one WA university. WA university destinations were distributed as follows: 63% University of Western Australia, 14% interstate, 9% overseas, 7% Curtin, 5% Notre Dame, and 2% Murdoch. In 2021, 79% of leavers went to university.

Higher Education Progression
In 2021, 79% of leavers went to university. Within WA, 63% of those pursuing WA higher education attended the University of Western Australia, with 14% going to interstate universities and 9% to overseas universities. Other WA universities included Curtin (7%), Notre Dame (5%), and Murdoch (2%). Some leavers pursued employment, apprenticeships, TAFE, or a gap year.

Gifted and Talented
The Enrichment Programme provides opportunities for academically able students with depth and breadth beyond the mainstream curriculum. The programme aligns with current best practices in gifted and talented education and involves collaborations across sub-schools and with Presbyterian Ladies' College. Some opportunities are by invitation based on outstanding performance in a subject domain; others are by aptitude, application, or interest, including clubs, broadening initiatives, competitions, and tailored outreach programmes.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school builds empathy, resilience, mindfulness and gratitude; teaches students to recognise emotions in themselves and others and regulate their own emotions; wellbeing is implicit in all areas of life at Scotch, including the Pastoral Care program, academics, sport and service.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Counselling and psychological services are available; three psychologists provide support across Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12; a full-time Chaplain/psychologist, Deans of Pastoral Care in each sub-school, and House Heads monitor and support students across academic and personal areas.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
International students must be proficient in English to be eligible for a place; language programmes include French, Indonesian and Spanish.

Mental Wellbeing
Counselling and psychology services are provided by three psychologists; a full-time Chaplain; Deans of Pastoral Care and House Heads monitor wellbeing; wellbeing programmes include Friendly Schools Plus (Junior), Aussie Optimism (Middle), SenseAbility (Senior), plus mindfulness initiatives such as Brain Reset and Smiling Mind resources.

Safeguarding
The College has a Child Safety Policy and Child Safety Code of Conduct, a Complaints Handling Policy, a Managing Child Safety Incidents or Concerns Procedure, and related privacy policies.
Parent Experience

History
Scotch College was founded as a Presbyterian school for boys in 1897 by Mrs Jane Alexander with a £500 donation and opened on Beaufort Street with 28 pupils. In 1905, the College moved to the present Collegians' House in Swanbourne, catering for 140 boys. Today the College educates boys from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 12 and maintains Scottish roots with tartan ties for each House and an internationally recognised Pipe Band. The Scotch College Archive preserves the history and traditions of Scotch College from 1897 to the present, and welcomes donations of material to the collection.

Community
Old Scotch Collegians Association (OSC) contributes to College life by maintaining social and sporting contact, providing resources, mentoring and expertise to the College, providing scholarships and bursaries to support student enrolments, and contributing to capital works and infrastructure. The OSC is separately incorporated and elects a Committee to manage its affairs and liaise with the College; the Association also nominates two members to join the College Council. OSC includes eight active chapters worldwide and hosts societies and clubs such as the Goland Club, connecting past Scotch rowers with the College; it also supports the College through employment and vocational advice and through financial gifts including the WA Gardner Bursary and the PC Anderson Scholarship.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
Scotch Parents is one of the support groups operating within the Scotch College community. The aim of all support groups is to further the educational endeavours of the school and to benefit the boys, support staff, develop collegiality, and provide financial support as needed. Support groups meet regularly to share information and discuss changes within the school, and these meetings are chaired by the Manager of Philanthropy and Parent Support Groups.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
Scotch College is located in Swanbourne on a 22-hectare campus between the Swan River and the Indian Ocean, 8 kilometres from the Perth CBD. There are expansive playing fields on the campus, a 50-metre pool and a Boat Shed. The Moray Outdoor Education Centre is a 66-hectare facility on the Murray River, three kilometres south of Dwellingup. It offers a rock-climbing wall, ropes course, hiking trails, kayaking and canoeing. External venue hire is available to the public.

Sports Facilities
On-campus facilities include expansive playing fields and a 50-metre pool. There is a Boat Shed for boating and rowing. The Moray Outdoor Education Centre is a 66-hectare property on the Murray River, three kilometres south of Dwellingup. It features a rock-climbing wall, ropes course, hiking trails, kayaking and canoeing.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Moray Outdoor Education Centre provides a home away from home during school camps. It features a rock-climbing wall, ropes course, hiking trails, kayaking and canoeing. The Moray property spans 66 hectares. It offers a wide range of outdoor education resources for Scotch College students.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school offers a range of public speaking and critical thinking opportunities from Junior School through to Senior School. These include debating, philosophy, and ethical discussions. Clubs provide opportunities to meet peers with similar interests and develop skills beyond the classroom, including Lego, Chess, STEM Club, Run Club, and Nature Club.

Arts & Creative
The Arts at Scotch are vibrant and inclusive, offering drama, music, and the creative arts. There are many opportunities across Junior through Senior School, with collaborative projects held in partnership with Presbyterian Ladies' College. These experiences foster creative expression and co-educational connection.

Cultural & Language
Round Square exchange programme connects Scotch with a global network; Year 8 domestic exchanges and Year 10 5–10 week exchanges are offered. The College runs tours, camps, and cultural immersions locally, interstate, and abroad, including performance tours and arts experiences. Scotch College is a Global Member of Round Square, committing to international understanding and personal development.

Social & Hobbies
Clubs across sub-schools provide opportunities to engage with peers who share interests. Club offerings change each year, with examples such as Lego, Chess, STEM Club, Run Club, and Nature Club. Public speaking and critical thinking activities also enhance social and collaborative skills.

Community & Service
Service is an essential part of life at Scotch, framed around the Scotch Service Model cornerstones: Nurture, Inspire, Sustain, and Connect. All students partake in service initiatives, with student leaders organising fundraisers for local and global causes such as FightMND, the Leukemia Foundation, and Surf Life Saving. Service spans Kindergarten to Year 12, embedding community involvement in daily life.

Leadership & Professional
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award is offered to Scotch students, encouraging service, physical recreation, skill development, and personal challenge beyond the classroom. Public speaking and leadership opportunities build confidence, clarity, and persuasive communication from Junior to Senior School. The programme emphasizes meaningful challenge, teamwork, and personal growth.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Sport is a vital part of school life and participation is encouraged for all students, with PSA inter-school events across Perth. Representing the College in a seasonal sport is compulsory for some year groups, underscoring participation and personal development. Outdoor Education runs from Year 3 to Year 12 and includes Moray, a 66-hectare centre on the Murray River, near Dwellingup; it also offers local and international programmes including Duke of Edinburgh. Tours, camps and exchanges extend learning beyond the campus, promoting resilience, teamwork and wellbeing.
Languages

Language Provision
French is taught from Years K to 5 as part of the Primary Years Programme. In Middle School Years 6–8 and in Senior School Years 9–10, French and Indonesian are taught as part of the Middle Years Programme. French and Indonesian are offered in the Senior School WA Curriculum (WACE) and International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, with Spanish ab initio offered as an additional language for IB Diploma students who have no prior learning in Spanish. Japanese is available through a PLC partnership, and Mandarin, Dutch and German have been studied through the IB Diploma Programme with school support.
Reputation

Accreditations
CRICOS Provider # 00449M — CRICOS registration enabling international student enrolment.
Admissions

Admissions
Step 1 – Register your interest: If you have visited and decided Scotch is the school for your son, fill in an online application. There is a $200 registration fee for local students, waived for Old Scotch Collegians. The fee can be paid by credit card, cash or cheque.

Step 2 – Confirming your enrolment: If successful, a Letter of Offer is sent by Admissions. Offers are made three years in advance for major intake years (Pre-Primary, Years 4 and 7). To confirm enrolment a confirmation fee is payable, which includes a life membership to the Old Scotch Collegians and a non-refundable Endowment Fee.

Step 3 – Onboarding: The year prior to commencement, students and families are invited to participate in orientation opportunities to ease their transition into the Scotch community.

Step 4 – Intake years, waitlist and contact: Intake years include Early Learning Centre (Pre Kindergarten and Kindergarten), Junior School Pre Primary, Middle School Year 6 and Year 7, and Boarding Year 7. If you require an alternate entry year, contact Admissions to discuss availability. For the latest information on places in your preferred year, contact Admissions at +61 8 9383 6800 or [email protected]. Applications for a year level that is full are placed on a waitlist for review should a place become available; there is no set waitlist review period. Communication regarding Year 7 intake occurs each term in the year prior to entry. If you defer your offer, your child remains on the waitlist for the next intake year.

Step 5 – International students and language: Scotch welcomes students from across Australia and around the world, and all students must be proficient in English in order to be eligible for a place. An International Students Handbook is available for life at the College. The Australian Government requires full fee paying students to contribute to Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).

Step 6 – Languages and IB context: The language programme includes French, Indonesian and Spanish; French is taught from Pre-Kindergarten to Year 6 and in Years 7–12 students can choose French or Indonesian, with Spanish available to International Baccalaureate Diploma students in Years 11 and 12.

Scholarships
The College offers scholarships for academic and musical excellence, as well as Boarding and Indigenous Scholarships supported by MADALAH. Scholarships are available from Year 7 and are open to both current and prospective students.

Waitlist
Applications for a year level that is full are placed on a waitlist for review should a place become available; there is no set waitlist review period. The College Admissions team processes waitlist applications carefully and aims to find enrolment places for students. Communication regarding Year 7 intake is sent each term in the year prior to entry. If a parent defers an offer, the child remains on the waitlist for the next intake year, retaining their original application date.
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