Ages 
In a stunning rural location, we found an enticing mix of progressive leadership, excellent academic results, Cambridge primary school curriculum, choice of IEB matric or Cambridge International AS/A levels, fabulous sporting and creative opportunities, groundbreaking outdoor ed programme and comprehensive aftercare. With a generous helping of social conscience on top, it’s not surprising that some families move to the area just for this school.
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Overview
- Student numbers
- 1206
- Curricula
- Other curriculum
- British
- International
- SEN provision
- SEN considered case by case
- Offers boarding
- Boarding available
- Pre school provision (up to 4)
- Yes
- Religion
- Christian
- Fees
- Day: R66,800 (G000) - R194,500 (Cambridge AS/A levels); Boarding: R152,900
Head of school
Executive head
Jacques Nel
Since January 2024, Jacques Nel. He holds a maths and computer science degree from North-West University, followed by educational management and law from UNISA, and a postgraduate diploma in business administration at Milpark Business School (all in
Entrance
Although achieving great results, head was quick to point out that it is not academically selective, but admits students based on ‘potential and contribution to the whole school’. No formal assessment for entry to pre-school (including grade 0/R).
Exit
Most stay local at Stellenbosch University (either living at home or in halls of residences ‘res’) or University of Cape Town (UCT). University of Pretoria also popular. Seven or eight head overseas, often on sports scholarships to the USA (one grade
Latest results
Excellent results for both Cambridge A levels and IEB matric each year mean school regularly features in lists of the top schools in the country for academic success.
IEB results 2024: 100 per cent Bachelor’s degree (university entrance) pass
Teaching & learning
Striking ESTEAM centre, built in 2019 with a substantial donation from a benevolent parent, adds entrepreneurship and arts to the usual STEM subjects and creates huge co-curricular opportunities for students across the school. The top floor comprises
- Curricula & qualifications
- Other curriculum - IEB South African National Curriculum
- Other curriculum - IEB South African National Senior Certificate (NSC)
- British - AS levels
- British - A levels
- International - Cambridge International Primary Programme (CIPP)
Learning support & SEN
Over 100 students in high school have special arrangements for exams. Head says school has stretched its resources to the limit catering for neurodiverse students and it would be ‘a challenge to resources’ to take any more. Individual facilitators in
Arts & extracurricular
Music is flourishing with 495 individual instrument lessons per week. The choir, jazz band, string ensemble and marimba band rehearse and perform regularly to a high standard.
Drama is also popular, with an annual school production and an
Sport
There’s plenty of space on this 32-hectare (80-acre) campus, and facilities are excellent. The outdoor heated pool (a rarity in this country), indoor cricket nets and a gym full of rowing machines are the stand outs (indoor training supplements
Boarders
Two boarding houses for grades 8 to 12 sit side by side: Vineyard House for boys and Founders House for girls. Unusually, the girls’ but not boys’ house is full (max 60 each). The girls’ large, open-plan kitchen/living area (with regulation piano and
- Student numbers
- 1206
- Boarding numbers
- 117
Ethos & heritage
Founded in 1997 as a co-educational, English-speaking school with Christian values by a couple of local families when they couldn’t find the right school to educate their own children. Built on a farm in the bucolic winelands (it even has its own
Pastoral care, inclusivity & discipline
School is working hard to attract a more diverse student body, but can only admit those who apply, and it’s a wealthy area, not particularly representative of the country. Parents tell us that it does feel inclusive, and that pastoral care is
Classroom & community
Most families live locally, served by two bus routes (mornings only). The area is growing in popularity, with ‘semigration’ (South Africans moving particularly from Gauteng province) as well as international families arriving, due to work from home
- School year
- January – December, with four terms
- School hours
- 7:30am – 3:15pm
- Uniform requirements
- Yes
Money matters
A proudly not-for-profit school. Parents say fees are reasonable for the standard of education and the facilities, and cheaper than Cape Town city schools, though one said as children progress up the years the fees increase accordingly and the extras
- Annual fee range
- Day: R66,800 (G000) - R194,500 (Cambridge AS/A levels); Boarding: R152,900
- Fee information
- Application fee: R500
Fees can be paid monthly x 11, termly or annually. Discount (5%) for early payment in full before 31 January of the relevant school year.
Pre-prep: includes pre-school care from 07.00 and after-school care until 17.30 (annual R1300 registration fee).
Additional capital development levy: R4 170 to R8 200
Additional bus, music, camp, IEB fees and extra mural activities levies depending on grade.
The last word
In a stunning rural location, we found an enticing mix of progressive leadership, excellent academic results, Cambridge primary school curriculum, choice of IEB matric or Cambridge International AS/A levels, fabulous sporting and creative
Accreditations, inspections & memberships
- Accreditations/Inspections
- Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa (ISASA)
