Curro Somerset West, Sitari Estate

Curro Somerset West, Sitari Estate is an independent, co-educational school set alongside the Sitari Country Estate in Somerset West, in the Winelands east of Cape Town – surrounded by farmlands and vineyards and just a short distance from Strand beach. Part of the national Curro group, it offers a continuous education from its Curro Castle nursery (from three months old) through Grade R to Grade 12, with a primary and high school on campus. Teaching is in English, and the school writes the IEB matric examination at the end of Grade 12.

The school keeps class sizes small – capped at around 25 learners – so each child receives personal attention, and delivers the national CAPS curriculum through Curro’s signature project-based learning and self-discovery approach, encouraging research, experiments and assignments that take learning beyond the textbook. Technology is central: pupils benefit from Robotics and Information Technology as part of the curriculum, with specialised exposure to 3D printing, laser cutting and virtual reality, and the option of e-learning devices and e-books from the intermediate phase. Additional languages such as Afrikaans and isiXhosa broaden pupils’ horizons.

Academics are balanced with a strong sporting and cultural programme – including a notable high-performance indoor cycling centre supported by a biokineticist, along with drama, choir, eSports and robotics – developing well-rounded, confident learners. The school also offers aftercare, school transport and an earlier Friday finish. As part of the Curro group, learners enjoy preference when applying to other Curro schools. Full fee and admissions details are available directly from the school.