Mentorship at Aberdour

At Aberdour, mentorship is at the heart of how we support children to grow in confidence, character and self-belief.

Building on our award-winning P.A.L® (Personalised Achievement Learning) approach, every child in Prep School benefits from a dedicated mentor – their P.A.L® Tutor – who plays a central role in their personal, pastoral and aspirational development.

A Trusted Adult, Over Time

Mentorship at Aberdour is built on continuity and trust. From Year 2 onwards, pupils are paired with a P.A.L® Tutor whom they remain with throughout their time in Prep. This consistency allows strong relationships to develop, ensuring that every child is truly known and understood.

Through regular, age-appropriate mentoring sessions, pupils are encouraged to talk, reflect and think more deeply about themselves as learners and individuals. These conversations help children make sense of their experiences, celebrate progress and build confidence in their own voice.

Supporting the Whole Child

Our mentors support pupils well beyond academic learning. The P.A.L® Tutor’s role includes:

• encouraging resilience, independence and self-awareness
• helping pupils recognise and articulate their strengths
• supporting goal-setting and reflection in a positive, age-appropriate way
• offering guidance as children navigate friendships, challenges and change
• nurturing confidence, curiosity and aspiration

This mentoring relationship provides children with a safe, supportive space in which to ask questions, share ideas and develop the skills they need for life beyond the classroom.

"They are our champions!"Year 5 pupil describing PAL Tutors

 

 

Preparing for What Comes Next

As pupils move through the school, their mentor helps them develop the confidence to express who they are and what they care about. This self-understanding is invaluable as pupils prepare for senior school and beyond.

The P.A.L® Tutor’s deep knowledge of each child also supports the Headmaster in writing thoughtful, individual senior school references and preparing pupils for interviews — ensuring each child is ready to take their next step with confidence and clarity.

A Distinctive Aberdour Experience

Our mentoring model reflects what parents value most about Aberdour: a school where children are not just taught, but guided; not just assessed, but understood.

It is this combination of personalised learning and meaningful mentorship that helps Aberdour pupils leave us as confident, articulate and grounded young people – ready to thrive in the next stage of their education.