Why country schools are showing more NAPLAN improvement than their city counterparts

New NAPLAN data shows Victoria’s regional schools are posting the biggest gains in writing and numeracy.

Some 74 per cent of students at Wycheproof P-12 College posted “above average” progress in writing.

Regional schools consistently outperformed many of their expensive inner-city counterparts in the data.

Neil Mitchell found it fascinating.

Christine McKersie is Principal at Wycheproof College said the school had just over 100 students and the results came on the back of a four-year strategic plan to improve writing skills among students.

“We know our students very well, what support they need and where we need to put additional resources,” she said.

“I think that culture of a small school, P-12, we can really help those kids along that perhaps need a bit of extra support.”

She said there was no doubt the “freedoms” country kids enjoyed, such as riding bikes to footy and netball training after school, helped with their academic progress.

But she said there was no doubt COVID-19 had impacted Victoria’s children.

“It has been a challenge for young people,” she said.

“There is no doubt over the next few years we will need to work with them and try and help them out and get them back into their social networks.”

Press PLAY below to hear more about the school and its success!

Picture: Getty iStock