A school can be far more than a place where subjects
are taught and tests are taken. It can become a meeting ground of ideas,
languages, and traditions, where children learn not only from teachers but also
from one another. When young people grow in an environment that values respect
for difference, they develop curiosity, empathy, and confidence. Classrooms
begin to feel alive with discussion, collaboration, and discovery, turning
daily learning into a shared journey shaped by many voices.
Courtney House International School is one such place, alive with the
energy of cultures converging and learning side by side. With families from
embassies, global organisations, and local communities, the school has built a
reputation for offering both academic excellence and genuine inclusivity. Its
Cambridge curriculum provides a strong foundation while its emphasis on
personal attention and multilingual learning ensures that every child is guided
toward success.
Three
Decades of Excellence in International Education
Courtney House International School was founded in
1995, initially as a small learning environment known as Fives and Sixes, later
renamed Courtney House Learning Centre, and now operating as Courtney House
International School. Its mission was to provide each child with a nurturing
environment, individual attention, and the resources necessary to reach their
unique potential. Situated in Pretoria, home to the second-largest diplomatic
community in the world after Washington, the school quickly became the
preferred choice for international families, including children of embassies,
aid organisations, and global corporations. The personalised approach, emphasis
on safety, and offering of French and Spanish as foreign languages from
preschool, along with Cambridge accreditation, helped the school earn the trust
of international families. Thirty years after its inception, the school has
evolved into a highly respected Curro Select School, offering the complete
Cambridge pathway from Early Years through to IGCSE and A-Level.
A
Legacy of Global Learning and Academic Confidence
Having been accredited with Cambridge since 2003,
Courtney House International School has witnessed the success of many local and
international learners who have completed their IGCSE and A-Level programmes
with confidence, enabling them to enter leading universities abroad. The
Cambridge curriculum provides a strong and well-rounded foundation in the
primary years, fostering a natural love of learning. In the high school years,
it encourages creativity, critical thinking, application of skills, and inductive
reasoning. This approach ensures learners develop a deep understanding of
concepts across languages, arts, sciences, humanities, and technology. For
international families, it provides the reassurance that children can
transition smoothly to any curriculum abroad. For academically strong local
learners, the rigour of Cambridge promotes independent thinking, giving them a
competitive advantage at tertiary level. Teachers also benefit from Cambridge
training and engagement opportunities, both online and in-person, enabling them
to remain current with international educational trends and provide effective
instruction for modern learners. The school’s commitment to Cambridge is shared
passionately by its families and students.
Embracing
the Cambridge Way of Learning
To assist learners transitioning from other schooling
systems into the Cambridge curriculum, Courtney House International School
maintains class sizes between 18 and 22 students, allowing teachers to offer
individual attention. Many educators provide additional one-on-one or small
group tutoring sessions in the afternoons, ensuring learners who need extra
support can adapt successfully to the Cambridge way of learning.
Cultivating
Confident Readers and Communicators
At
Courtney House International School, auxiliary academic programmes such as
reading, phonics, and conversational English are seamlessly woven into the
daily learning experience, particularly during the foundation phase. Phonics
and reading are introduced in the Reception Year, accompanied by a structured
individual reading programme that continues through to the end of Year 3.
Specialised reading teachers work with each child individually every day,
focusing on reading fluency, comprehension, pronunciation, tone, and
expression. In addition, all primary phase learners are encouraged to utilise
the Oxford Reading Buddies online platform, a school-provided resource designed
to further enhance reading and comprehension skills. The programme is actively
promoted throughout the school, reinforcing its importance. Weekly library
visits allow learners to take books home, further supporting their reading
development. Reading is a central focus at Courtney House, reflecting the
school’s commitment to building strong literacy skills. The Cambridge curriculum
complements this approach, fostering an interdisciplinary learning environment
where conversational aspects of English, including discussion, debate,
presentation, and communication, are incorporated into every lesson, allowing
learners to practise these skills naturally and consistently.
Helping
Every Child Find Their Voice
Courtney House International School employs several
teachers who are both remedial-trained and TEFL-trained to assist
non-English-speaking learners. These educators work with students on a
one-on-one basis or in very small groups, creating personalised learning plans
designed to accelerate English fluency and comprehension. With extensive
experience serving children from international embassies, the school is adept
at understanding and addressing the unique needs of learners whose first
language is not English. Through this tailored approach, many students achieve
remarkable progress in a short period of time, gaining confidence in both
communication and academic performance. The school’s smaller and supportive
environment further facilitates this rapid adjustment, enabling learners to
integrate smoothly into both the curriculum and the social setting of the
school.
A
Caring and Connected School Community
Courtney House International School promotes an
inclusive and nurturing environment where learners are encouraged to be
resilient, confident, caring, and tolerant of children from diverse cultural
and linguistic backgrounds. The buddy system is a key component of this inclusive
ethos, pairing new learners with an experienced buddy who guides them through
all aspects of school life. This system not only helps children navigate
routines and expectations but also fosters meaningful friendships, providing
opportunities for peer learning and mutual support. The school describes its
environment as a diverse family, where each child is fully accepted, nurtured,
and encouraged to reach their full potential. Through the buddy system,
students gain both practical support and social integration, ensuring that
every learner feels included and valued from the moment they join the school.
Nurturing
Multilingual Minds from Day One
At
Courtney House International School, learners are offered French, Spanish, and
Afrikaans from as early as the Reception Year. These languages can be studied
as either First or Foreign Languages, accommodating international learners who
may already have advanced skills in a particular language and wish to continue
it as a first language. The senior management team plays an active role in
guiding families in making informed decisions regarding language selection as
well as other subject choices. Additionally, French and Spanish teachers
provide extra support and tuition when needed, ensuring that learners can catch
up or strengthen their skills in a specific language. This comprehensive
approach ensures that every student receives the guidance and resources
required to succeed in multilingual learning.
A
Secure Environment for Focused Learning
Courtney House International School maintains strict
security protocols to reassure parents, including international dignitaries,
about their children’s safety. The school is divided into three distinct
campuses for primary, high school, and sixth-form or A-Level learners, each with
its own dedicated entry point. Security personnel are present on campus from
early morning until early evening to monitor access, supported by a security
response unit, electric fencing, and 24-hour camera surveillance. Learners are
only allowed to leave campus when signed out by a parent or designated
guardian. The primary and high school campuses accommodate a maximum of 140 to
150 learners each, while the A-Level campus caters to 25 to 30 learners. The
smaller campus sizes enhance safety and enable focused supervision, earning
strong praise from international families for the school’s high standards of
security.
Calm,
Care, and Crisis-Ready
Courtney House International School prioritises
preparedness for emergency situations through a dedicated health and safety
team that provides up-to-date information on safety protocols. Regular fire
drills and evacuation exercises are conducted at each campus, ensuring that
both staff and learners are familiar with emergency procedures. Staff receive
comprehensive training in fire safety, first aid, and other emergency
protocols. As a Curro Select School, Courtney House adheres to top-tier health
and safety policies and protocols, ensuring a secure environment that aligns
with international best practices.
A
World of Perspectives in One School
At Courtney House International School, approximately 80% of learners across
all three campuses come from diplomatic or international families, with the
remaining 20% being local South Africans. This demographic balance fosters a
dynamic and culturally rich environment, turning the school into a hub of
diverse languages, traditions, and perspectives. Every culture and nationality
is embraced, and the school takes pride in celebrating the variety of
backgrounds that contribute to its vibrant community.
Fostering Belonging
Amid Transitions
Given the transient nature of diplomatic postings, Courtney House International
School has developed a welcoming approach for learners joining mid-year or for
shorter periods. Each new child is carefully introduced and integrated,
ensuring they have a friend and a group to connect with during breaks and
recreational activities. Learners are encouraged to engage with peers from
around the world, forming friendships that transcend borders. Many families
maintain contact with teachers and staff even after moving to their next
posting, sharing their children’s achievements and milestones. The school
emphasizes that it is more than just an educational institution; it is a
supportive family where every child is nurtured, celebrated, and made to feel a
true sense of belonging.
