Kearsney College

The academic ethos at the College is as competitive as the one enjoyed in sport and cultural arenas. The College has an outstanding record of academic achievement in the IEB Matriculation Examinations. There has been a 100% pass rate for over a decade, with over 80% of boys receiving an A, B or C aggregate and a quarter receiving A aggregates. Our small class sizes, highly qualified staff and the emphasis on the use of state-of-the-art technology in the classrooms and laboratories is reflected in our boys’ excellent results.

The school embraces the benefits of technology in enhancing learning, with the campus being covered by a wireless LAN, allowing boys access to the highly developed Kearsney intranet and the internet and extensive use being made of SMART Boards and other ICT resources.

All Grade 8 boys undergo a Readiness Test in the first week of Grade 8. The results from this test are analysed and English literacy support lessons are offered weekly, within the timetable, by our Academic Support Specialist, to boys in Grade 8 and 9 who have been identified as having a low reading age, or who have been flagged by the English department as needing development in literacy, vocabulary or comprehension skills.

Should a boy start to show signs of battling with the rigours of his high school studies such as not completing tasks or tests on time; not keeping up with the content covered in class or battling to retain information when studying, it is suggested that his parents make an appointment with the College’s Academic Support Specialist. She may recommend that a boy undergoes an educational psychologist’s assessment to determine whether he has an underlying barrier to learning. A list of IEB-approved educational psychologists will be provided to the parents to set up this assessment. Once the report from the educational psychologist has been received an application will be made by the Academic Support Specialist, on behalf of the parents, to the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) for the granting of an examination accommodation for the boy. Should the accommodations be granted by the IEB they are then put in place.

Every boy’s academic support requirements are unique. In addition, some boys are busier in the afternoons than others. We believe that by customising an individual academic support programme, at no extra cost, for each boy within the context of a varied, cumulative and structured assessment programme, will ensure that he achieves academic results at the end of his Grade 12 year that are in keeping with his true academic potential.

Kearsney provides a dynamic environment to promote sporting excellence, sportsmanship and healthy competition for all. The SportZone at Kearsney has been developed to provide outstanding facilities to compliment our well established High Performance programme. The SportZone includes a 280sq metre weights gym where individualised conditioning programmes are provided for our sportsmen.

The indoor centre provides seven cricket nets with full run-ups and four bowling machines, indoor hockey and soccer and two basketball courts. The aquatic facilities are among the best in South Africa, with two pools, one heated.

There are more than 20 sporting venues on campus. Professional coaches are employed for training and developing the boys’ skills and fitness. Some of South Africa’s great sportsmen are Kearsney Old Boys and are involved in coaching clinics at the College from time to time.

Kearsney College is without peer when it comes to excellence in arts and culture. Our internationally renowned choir, vibrant drama scene and excellent Fine Arts programme are complemented by a dynamic club and cultural programme. Culture@Kearsney is our exciting annual programme designed to celebrate the arts and promote cultural appreciation among the youth in KwaZulu-Natal. Watch a video about the programme. Read more.

In keeping with the College’s aim of developing well-balanced boys, all boys are encouraged to become a member of at least one club. Kearsney strives to teach boys that emotional courage IS courage, and that courage and empathy are the sources of real strength in life.