Dalton Plan does the trick for Ascham

The Dalton Plan is a highly flexible structure based on three pillars - assignment, lesson and study - catering for girls of all abilities.

Each student has classes in her timetable where lessons are not scheduled, allowing her to go to a study to continue her assignment and seek a teacher's assistance if required.

For boarders, nightly prep with dedicated tutors means homework and assignments are given structured time for completion.

Ascham girls from Year 7 to Year 12 are reflective about the value the Dalton Plan offers - a great deal of independence, flexibility and self-directed learning.

"The Dalton Plan helps students to become independent and savvy learners," Year 7 boarder, Cybele Hewitt, Young, said.

"It has suited my independent nature and has helped me to become an organised and self-sufficient learner.

"The skills that are part of the Dalton Plan routine help to keep me on task and stress-free.

"Studies are so helpful because you can work with teachers one-on-one and ask questions about classwork and assignments.

"By being in studies with older girls, it gives you opportunities to mix with other year groups and make connections.

"Older girls can also be very helpful in teaching us new things and giving advice on how to handle assignments because they once did them."

Cybele emphasises how the boarding routine complements the Dalton Plan, as both are very structured.

"Prep is so helpful and I think most boarders would be lost without it," she said.

"It really helps having set study time without phones so we can't be distracted.

"Working around friends is a bonus because we can always ask questions and talk about our work.

"We always help each other out and are ready to discuss and solve problems together."