Peterhouse School is a special needs school that provides personalised education, care, and support for learners with moderate barriers to learning. We create a safe, inclusive, and nurturing environment where every child can develop academically, socially, emotionally, and independently.

Although Peterhouse School and Excelsior Academy School are located on the same premises, they are two separate schools designed to meet different educational needs.Peterhouse School is a special needs school in South Africa that provides personalised education and support for learners with special educational needs and barriers to learning. The school follows its own accredited curriculum, offers dedicated classrooms, and provides an inclusive, structured learning environment where learners can develop academically, socially, emotionally, and independently.Excelsior Academy School is an independent private school that follows the internationally recognised Cambridge Curriculum. It is designed for learners who thrive in a mainstream academic environment while benefiting from a high-quality, globally respected education.

At Peterhouse School, we support learners with a variety of special educational needs and barriers to learning. Our school welcomes learners who require additional support, including children with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, communication challenges, and learners who are non-verbal or have different communication needs.We focus on understanding each learner as an individual and adapting our approach to support their unique strengths, abilities, and developmental needs. Due to the nature of our learning environment, we are unfortunately unable to accommodate learners who display ongoing aggressive behaviour that may impact the safety and well-being of other learners.

At Peterhouse School, we focus on the whole child. Our approach combines personalised education, therapeutic support, life skills development, social growth, and opportunities for learners to build confidence and independence.We believe every learner deserves to feel valued, included, and supported in a safe and caring environment where they can develop academically, emotionally, socially, and practically.

Peterhouse School currently accepts learners from Grade RR to Grade 7. Our programmes are designed to support learners during their foundational years by providing structured learning, individualised support, and opportunities to develop essential skills for the future.

Our admission process is designed to ensure that we understand each learner’s needs and determine whether our school environment is the right fit.The process includes:An initial enquiry with our admissions teamA school tour where families can experience our environment and facilitiesA learner assessment to understand individual needs and abilitiesCompletion and submission of required application formsA once-off, non-refundable application fee of R3 000 payable upon approval of the application submission Our goal is to create a successful partnership between the school, learner, and family from the beginning.

Yes. Assessments are an important part of Peterhouse School’s admissions process. Before admission, each learner is assessed to help us understand their individual abilities, learning style, communication needs, strengths, and areas where additional support may be beneficial.These assessments allow our team to develop an appropriate educational approach tailored to each learner’s unique needs, helping them reach their full potential in a supportive and inclusive learning environment.

While Peterhouse School does not currently offer full-time therapy services on-site, we work closely with dedicated therapists who provide additional support to learners when required. Therapists may also make use of our facilities to assist learners within the school environment.

Yes. Peterhouse School believes that smaller class sizes play an important role in providing effective special needs education.Our smaller classes allow educators to give each learner more individual attention, adapt teaching strategies to suit their unique learning needs, and build meaningful relationships. This creates a calm, supportive, and inclusive learning environment where every learner is encouraged to develop their skills and progress at their own pace.

Peterhouse School follows the Differentiated CAPS (DCAPS) curriculum, which has been specifically adapted to support learners with special educational needs who may require an alternative approach to the mainstream school curriculum.The DCAPS curriculum provides structured learning opportunities while allowing educators to adapt teaching methods, learning activities, and support strategies according to each learner’s abilities, developmental level, and individual educational needs.

No. At Peterhouse School, we believe that education extends beyond academics. Our approach focuses on developing the whole learner by supporting their academic, social, emotional, and practical needs.Our programmes are designed to help learners develop essential skills, including:Confidence and self-esteemCommunication skillsSocial interaction and relationship-buildingIndependence and self-management skillsPractical life skillsEmotional well-being Our goal is to equip learners with the skills, confidence, and independence they need to navigate everyday life and continue growing beyond their school years.

At Peterhouse School, we recognise that every learner communicates differently. We encourage and support communication in all forms, helping each learner develop the skills they need to express themselves, participate, and feel understood.Our educators support communication development through:Verbal communication developmentAlternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) methodsVisual supports and communication toolsIndividualised communication strategies tailored to each learner’s unique needs Our goal is to create a supportive learning environment where every learner has the opportunity to develop their communication skills, build confidence, and engage meaningfully with others.

Yes. Peterhouse School provides support for learners with emotional and behavioural needs through a structured, consistent, and understanding approach. Our educators are trained and experienced in supporting learners with special educational needs and promoting positive behaviour through personalised strategies and guidance.Where a learner experiences emotional or behavioural challenges that require additional intervention, we work closely with parents and relevant professionals to develop and implement an appropriate support plan.Our goal is to create a safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environment where every learner feels understood, valued, and empowered to develop positive social and emotional skills.

At Peterhouse School, we believe that a strong partnership between parents and the school is essential for supporting each learner’s success. Open communication and collaboration help ensure that families remain actively involved in their child’s educational journey.Parents can stay informed about their child’s progress through KLAPP, while regular communication is maintained through email updates and WhatsApp communication.

At Peterhouse School, we value regular communication with families and believe that keeping parents informed plays an important role in supporting each learner’s success.Parents receive ongoing updates regarding their child’s progress, achievements, and daily experiences through email communication, WhatsApp updates, and regular progress reports.We also provide annual Individualised Education Programme (IEP) reports to monitor each learner’s development, set personalised goals, and ensure that educational support remains aligned with their individual needs.

Yes. Peterhouse School provides outdoor activities designed to support the physical, social, emotional, and developmental needs of learners with special educational needs.Our dedicated playground and outdoor programmes encourage learners to develop important skills while enjoying a safe and supportive environment. These activities promote:Physical health and movementImproved motor skills and coordinationBalance, strength, and body awarenessSensory regulation and engagementConfidence and self-esteemSocial interaction and teamworkIndependence and practical skills We also provide opportunities for learners to connect with nature through accessible and sensory-friendly outdoor experiences, supporting exploration, creativity, and overall well-being.

Yes. Peterhouse School incorporates animal-assisted activities through dedicated therapy dogs as part of our learner support programmes.Our therapy dogs are introduced to learners from a young age and are trained to interact safely and calmly with children of different ages and abilities. They receive regular obedience training to ensure they are well-prepared to support learners in a school environment.The therapy dogs visit the school monthly, providing learners with opportunities for supervised interaction and activities that encourage the development of important skills, including empathy, confidence, responsibility, communication, and positive social interaction.

Transport is not currently available at Peterhouse School. However, we are actively exploring options to introduce a transport service in the future to better support our learners and families.

Yes. Peterhouse School provides a tuckshop service where learners can purchase meals and snacks during the school day.Parents are welcome to contact the school for the latest tuckshop menu, available meal options, and additional information regarding meal arrangements.

Parents and families are welcome to arrange a visit to Peterhouse School to experience our learning environment, meet our dedicated team, and learn more about our programmes, curriculum, and approach to special needs education.To schedule a school tour or arrange a visit, please contact us.

To begin the application process, please contact our admissions team.We will guide you through the required documentation, assessment process, and next steps to help determine how we can best support your child’s educational journey.