Warrior Learning
Warrior Learning is a holistic approach to education which focuses on developing well-rounded individuals. Instead of measuring our success purely against academic results, we embrace seven fundamental Warrior Learning behaviours to foster an aspirational culture based on collaboration, creativity and tenacity. At the point when exam results no longer matter, our pupils’ abilities to be tenacious, to climb hurdles, be creative, solve problems, or collaborate with a team, are the things that matter. This is why we have re-envisioned the educational norm with our Warrior Learning approach, which focuses on soft skills – aspiration, creativity, curiosity, tenacity, independence, inclusivity and collaboration.
Pupils are encouraged to demonstrate these behaviours across all areas of school life, in lessons, co-curricular activities and sport, developing essential skills to allow them to achieve more than they ever thought possible.
Warrior Learning purposely pushes pupils out of their comfort zone and into their stretch zone. This is where the magic happens. Our current education system does not encourage anyone to make mistakes, but we want our pupils to make mistakes, as without error there can be no brilliancy.
Warrior Learning was developed by the staff at Dunottar and is as important as the curriculum. It is unique. It is part of our DNA and our culture.
Aspiration – We want our pupils to achieve more than they ever believed possible. Through strong pastoral care and providing a wealth of opportunities to learn new skills, we aim to equip our pupils with the vision and leadership skills to be successful in life beyond school.
Creativity – Employers want to know that employees have the ability to think creatively and come up with innovative solutions. Problem solving is about using logic, as well as imagination and lateral thinking to make sense of a solution. By providing our pupils with the opportunities and challenges to develop their creative thinking, we allow them to develop these skills from the beginning of their senior school life.
Curiosity – It’s no secret that curiosity makes learning more effective and enjoyable. Curious pupils not only ask questions, but also actively seek out the answers.
Tenacity – Being persistent, passionate, and never giving up is a skill that everyone has the capability of developing, but not everyone masters. When tenacity is at play, miraculous things happen. Pupils achieve things for themselves that they never dreamed they could do. We believe that pupils gain an enormous amount of confidence from sticking with a difficult task and seeing it through to the end.
Independence – Throughout their school career, we support and encourage our pupils to be proactive in their thinking, to be organised and self-motivated developing their independence, which in turn, builds their self-confidence. By providing a wide range of opportunities for pupils to try new things, we allow them to develop the confidence they need to stand by their own beliefs and dare to be different.
Inclusivity – Dunottar is a school with a warm heart and a strong family community. We have created a supportive and respectful environment, where pupils can feel safe, secure and above all happy, allowing them to thrive during their time at the school. All pupils are encouraged to be kind, considerate and helpful both inside and outside the classroom.
Collaboration – The ability to collaborate with others has become one of the most sought-after skills in both education and the workplace. We encourage all our pupils to listen to each other and work together in all aspects of school life, whether on the sports field, in the classroom or on stage.