Epworth Schools

Epworth is actually two schools: Epworth Preparatory School for Boys and Girls and Epworth High School for Girls. Set in scenic 15-hectare grounds on the outskirts of Pietermaritzburg, which is known as the Garden City, Epworth has a history dating back to 1898.

Epworth was established by Miss Emily Lowe and Miss Emma Mason to teach 45 Natal settler children. The school was named after a village in Lincolnshire, the birthplace of John and Charles Wesley, two brothers who developed the Methodist ethos during the Industrial Revolution in England. The brothers believed strongly in the need for education (unsurprising as their mother was a teacher).

At the time, only one in 25 children attended school. John believed that education was vital to address social problems such as poverty, crime and alcoholism. He believed that through education, children could become individuals of sound character who would improve the world around them. In 1748, the brothers established their first educational institution, a boarding school for the children of coal miners. Epworth is a school like no other, an educational opportunity unlike any other.

Our spacious classrooms offer the latest in technology, with Wi-Fi, iPads, state-of-the-art projectors. We offer mentorship for new pupils in Grades 8 and 9 so that their new high school experience is comfortable and never scary or intimidating. Our boarding houses are homely, relaxed and sociable places. Our sporting programmes use specially trained coaches to bring our young sportspeople to the pinnacle of their ability. Through our Adventure Sports tours, our pupils can try their hand at amazing, life-changing challenges such as sea-kayaking around Mauritius, cycling across the country, or paddling down the Orange River.

Our cultural classes, numerous clubs and various enrichment programmes enable tomorrow’s actors, artists, musicians and directors to thrive and flourish.

Epworth is a lovely place for children to be educated, with wide-open spaces and the fresh-air-feel of the nearby countryside. The school is set in rolling yet secure 15-hectare grounds on the outskirts of Pietermaritzburg, with ample room for spacious classrooms and admin buildings, boarding houses and extensive sports facilities.

As our faith is central to the school’s way of life, it is appropriate that our beautiful 50-year old chapel is located at the heart of the campus. Our learning facilities include a state-of-the-art Performing Arts Centre, home to music, dance and drama, a fully equipped lecture theatre that seats 80 pupils, a team teaching room, computer centre, library, design and technology room, media centre, and art studio. There is Wi-Fi throughout the school and a computer, iPad and projector in every classroom.

Our sports facilities, which are expertly maintained and upgraded, cater for the school’s diverse and extensive sporting programmes. They are able to support every single school sport, with the exception of canoeing, which takes place at Camps Drift, 5km from campus.

These include, inter alia, two multi-purpose centres which accommodate a range of sports; an artificial hockey surface; a squash centre with four glass-backed courts; a ten-lane swimming pool with a diving well; six newly-resurfaced tennis courts, including mini tennis facilities, and cricket, rugby and soccer fields.

To free the potential in individuals to become relevant, resilient and ethical leaders who contribute to our ever-changing world.

Our Methodist ethos, diversity, innovative and relevant education, promote the development of character and enable individuals to realise their full potential in an ever-changing world. These are provided in a nurturing and enriching environment where our values are fostered and honoured.

Our preparatory school offers boys and girls from Grade RRR to Grade 7 the perfect place to begin their journey through life and learning.

Epworth was one of the first educational institutions to introduce the multiple intelligences approach to education, developed through international research to discover the best way to maximise each child’s personal strengths and talents. This methodology is the basis of our educational programme from the youngest of our pupils to our Grade 12 girls, ensuring that each child develops their unique abilities in an individual, expressive and creative way.

Caring for others is a way of life at Epworth: Grade 1 pupils are paired with Grade 7 mentors who ensure that they feel secure as they explore their new environment.

At Epworth, we believe that the role of educator is shared between parents and our teachers. Daily contact and discussion is balanced with various formal consultations and meetings throughout the year.

Our girls-only high school offers exceptional facilities, committed teachers and an amazingly diverse way to learn and grow: academically, culturally, spiritually and personally. Epworth makes learning a fun and lively experience every day. There are multiple “beyond the classroom” sporting, cultural and social awareness activities, ensuring a comprehensive and holistic education for our “extraordinary” pupils. We encourage our girls to lead a life of significance in a rapidly changing world.

We are known for our academic prowess. Our small classes, with no more than 26 pupils per class, ensure that each girl receives special, personalised attention from the teachers and is able to meaningfully interact with others in the classroom. Our pupils are never ‘lost in the crowd’. Our pupils are individuals – to us, to themselves, to those around them.