 Scott spent four years at a local day school before being sent to Stubbington House School in Hampshire, a cramming establishment that prepared candidates for the entrance examinations to the naval training ship at Dartmouth.Having passed these exams Scott began his naval career in 1881, as a 13-year-old cadet.In July 1883, Scott passed out of "Britannia" as a midshipman, seventh overall in a class of 26.