Clifton Preparatory School Nottingham Road

Clifton Preparatory School – affectionately known as “Clifton Notties” – is a private, co-educational, non-profit day and boarding primary school set on a beautiful rural estate in Nottingham Road, in the heart of the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands at the foothills of the Drakensberg. It was founded in 1942, when half of Clifton School relocated from Durban to the Midlands for safety during the Second World War, and is today an inclusive, inter-denominational Christian school. It welcomes day scholars from Grade 000 through to Grade 7, with boarding available from Grade 4 – making it one of the few independent prep schools in KwaZulu-Natal still offering full boarding to young children, who come from across South Africa and neighbouring countries.

Clifton sets high academic standards, shaped by its close association with the major independent senior schools of the Midlands, and follows the CAPS curriculum through holistic, theme-based learning that prizes self-directed enquiry, creativity and a love of learning. Guided by values such as respect, perseverance, bravery, playfulness and Ubuntu, the school’s mission is to “champion childhood” – never compromising the sanctity of childhood while always inspiring personal bests.

Its breathtaking setting is a defining feature: a spacious estate of forests, dams, streams and open farmland offers adventures that urban schools simply cannot match. Boarders live in homely houses (Usher House for boys and Sutcliffe House for girls), and the school even has its own riding centre with stables, show-jumping and dressage arenas and scenic outrides. Full fee and admissions details are available directly from the school.