The Wykeham Collegiate

The Wykeham Collegiate was founded in January 1990 with the amalgamation of Wykeham School, founded in 1905, and Girls’ Collegiate School, founded in 1878. The decision to amalgamate these two schools was taken by the respective Boards of Governors in 1988. During 1989 the relevant buildings were constructed, and the new school welcomed its first pupils on 25 January 1990. The school quickly became recognised as one of the leading independent schools for girls in Africa.

The school aims to prepare young women for the real world. It offers a top quality, progressive and holistic education, based on sound Christian values, in a caring and stimulating environment. The Wykeham Collegiate is a happy school, where girls are encouraged to look beyond themselves and to have an altruistic outlook which promotes the good of all. It is a school in which balance is important and pupils are encouraged to develop intellectually, emotionally, physically and spiritually. Through working, playing and living together, pupils form relationships and learn to respect one another.

The Wykeham Collegiate boasts a track record of excellent Grade 12 results, with an annual pass rate of 100%. All girls are encouraged to give of their best, and both the academically talented girls, and those who find academic studies more challenging, fulfil their potential. Our staff members are highly qualified, dedicated and experienced educators who instil a positive work ethic and a love for learning in the girls.

We are an English-medium school and English Home Language is a compulsory Grade 12 subject. Girls seeking additional extension in English, may take Advanced Programme English from Grade 11. Afrikaans and isiZulu are offered at First Additional Language level. Languages at Second Additional Language level, currently French and German, are available at extra cost to parents.

All girls in Grade 8 and Grade 9 study Core Mathematics, and both Core Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy are offered from Grade 10 onward. Advanced Programme Mathematics is also offered from Grade 10 and is recommended for those girls considering careers in Health Sciences and Engineering disciplines.

The Wykeham Collegiate is one of only a few schools in South Africa to offer Sports & Exercise Science as a subject from Grade 10 to Grade 12. Apart from the academic requirements of the course which include physiology, anatomy and several sports-orientated areas of study, the girls also become qualified coaches in several sports, do first aid courses, strapping courses and several other sports-related qualifications. The girls have access to a gym as well as to private specialists including a Dietician, Physiotherapist and Biokineticist on site.

Subject and cultural tours to worldwide destinations are arranged annually. Previous groups have visited the USA, UK, China, Thailand, Russia and Israel, to name a few. Exchange opportunities are provided by AFS and Rotary, as well as private arrangements organised by parents. The Wykeham Collegiate regularly hosts exchange students from foreign countries.

Sound, imaginative teaching ensures that girls grow in confidence, make progress and enjoy school. Our small classes allow dedicated and professional staff to nurture, stimulate and extend each girl. An exciting and relevant 21st Century curriculum, where we consciously focus on developing communication, creativity, critical thinking and collaboration skills, appeals to the girls.
Barriers to learning need to be identified as early as possible. The Junior School has a strong support team to assist our girls. On campus we use the services of remedial teachers, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists and a social worker.

Our focus is learning through play in Grades RRR to R. Activities are carefully considered to prepare our girls for the formal learning years. Drama, Library, Music, Physical Education and Psychomotor lessons taught by specialist teachers, provide opportunities for our girls to gain independence, explore and discover. A voluntary introductory sports programme is offered to girls in Grade R. Computer and iPad lessons begin in Grade RR. Girls are taught social media responsibility and coding.

We have a well-equipped outdoor area where the girls spend many happy hours on the jungle gyms, trampoline, cycle track, and in the sand pit and gardens. All activities promote the complete development of the child: physically, socially, emotionally and intellectually.

The Pre-Primary has its own unique characteristics based on how children of this age group make sense of the world and acquire the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes which will allow them to maximise the opportunities afforded in the formal learning years.

Outings to various venues like the SPCA, Wylie Park and Botanical Gardens reinforce our belief that not all learning takes place within the classroom. Aftercare is available for girls in Grades RRR – Grade 2. Aftercare is a home base for girls in the afternoon. Girls are lovingly supervised by members of staff.