Herschel Girls School

Herschel Girls School is an independent Anglican school for girls in the leafy southern suburb of Claremont, Cape Town, founded in February 1922 and offering an empowering education from Grade 000 (pre-nursery) through to Grade 12, with boarding available from Grade 8. With around 900 girls across its Pre-Preparatory, Preparatory and Senior schools, it is one of the country’s best-known and top-performing girls’ schools – and has long seen itself as a leader in girls’ education and advocacy for women in South Africa.

The school takes its name from the astronomer Sir John Herschel, who once owned the surrounding estate; its badge carries the symbol for Uranus and its motto, “Ad Dei Gloriam” (To the Glory of God), reflects its Anglican roots, while welcoming girls of all faiths. Herschel is proud of its tradition of academic excellence and rigour: it now follows the IEB curriculum, teaching beyond the syllabus with an emphasis on core skills, values and 21st-century competencies, and consistently achieves outstanding results – in 2023 a 100% pass and 100% Bachelor’s pass with an average of more than four distinctions per candidate.

Beyond the classroom, a vertical four-house system, tutor groups and a strong leadership programme nurture confidence and responsibility, supported by careful pastoral care and learning support. Co-curricular life is rich, spanning sport (with a swimming and water-polo pool, astro, tennis, netball and an indoor sports centre), a vibrant music department (choirs, orchestra, wind band and marimba), drama, and clubs from Girls Who Code to hiking and outreach.

Set on a historic Claremont campus, Herschel’s fees are at the premium end; full fee and admissions details are available directly from the school.