Clifton School

Situated in Nottingham Road

Clifton School is situated in Nottingham Road

The pupils at Clifton have the advantage of being in a beautiful, natural environment of 60 hectares. This immediately lends itself to our belief that learning is a life-long process that cannot be confined to the four walls of the classroom and the teacher. Children need to be taken out into their world to experience all its richness and diversity. Our Outdoor Education Programme ensures that each grade goes away on a trip every term as an extension to the work done in the classroom. Some of the trips extend to two and three nights away to destinations such as the Drakensberg, the sea, an authentic Zulu kraal and Game Reserves to mention a few. The children not only have a very hands on learning experience they also lean very valuable interpersonal skills of dependence and interdependence. They learn to develop an appreciation of the environment and gain an awareness of the need to strive for the sustainable use of natural resources.

Because Language is seen to be an essential component of all facets of the school curriculum the thematic or Integrated Studies approach facilitates the development of language in all it's forms. Themes are pupil orientated and relevant to topical issues.

Reading is very much at the heart of our curriculum Children spend half an hour in the Reading Room every day reading. They choose a book of their choice and are therefore motivated. The books are carefully graded to make this possible. In conjunction we use a scheme that was researched by educators and published in the nineties

Culturally the children are extended through music including choir, art and drama. They all participate in a drama production each year. We have specialist teachers teaching these subjects as well as Afrikaans and Zulu

All the children from Grade 1 upwards participate in the sporting programme. They are coached skills and also compete in festivals. Sports offered include, swimming, tennis, hockey, rugby, football, basketball and athletics. Other private extras include gymnastics, ballet, horse riding, professional tennis coaching, musical instruments and chess.

Clifton is one of the few remaining independent preparatory schools in KwaZulu-Natal that offers full boarding to young children, with numerous boarders coming from Southern African countries.

Our focus is on creating a happy and caring "home away from home" where the children develop excellent inter-personal skills and awareness of others, along with greater independence in preparation for high school. There is a comprehensive support system which caters for the child's every need. This includes Housemothers, duty staff, student teachers and an individual tutor system.

Contact : reception@cliftonnr.co.za