The affordable government school that has one teacher for every 14 learners

According to the Department of Basic Education, the average learner-to-teacher ratio for South Africa’s public schools is 30:1, with some schools experiencing ratios of 40:1 or more. 

However, Blairgowrie Primary School in Johannesburg has managed to maintain a learner-to-teacher ratio of below 14:1. 

The school says that its investment in additional teachers and interns has helped it keep this ratio low and create a learning environment where every child gets the attention they deserve. 

“As a fee-paying public school, continual investment is made in the human and physical resources of the school,” the school said.

This investment takes the form of the school’s fundraising community events, such as its upcoming annual golf day on 14 November. 

Blairgowrie Primary School was established in July 1959 in the Northern suburbs of Johannesburg. 

The school and the suburb it derives its name from have roots in Scotland. Grey Rattray, an immigrant from Blairgowrie, Scotland, owned a farm which later became the Craighall area. 

In 1940, his daughter, Doris Grey McChesney, applied to establish a township on a portion of the land. The piece of land was named Blairgowrie. 

In 1959, the school opened with 259 pupils and grew quickly, having enrolled 700 learners by 1963. With a focus on keeping class sizes small, today the school has 894 learners.

Blair Castle in Blairgowrie, Scotland, is the ancestral home of the Atholls of Murray. The school got permission to incorporate the family’s tartan in the school uniform in 1960.

The school is a cornerstone of the Blairgowrie community, having hosted the first annual “Blairgowrie Day” in June this year, to celebrate the area’s public servants. 

Blairgowrie is a quintile 5 school with school fees from R28,500 for the 2026 year. It offers grades R to 7. 

Even as early as grade R, the school maintains its small classes. “Our strict policy is to accommodate no more than 30 pupils per class,” the school said. 

Investing in extra teachers

“This allows the three qualified Foundation Phase teachers and three intern teachers to create a happy, secure learning environment,” the school said. 

The school offers several extracurricular activities for its children, including cricket, swimming, chess, netball, soccer, hockey, cross-country,

Arts and culture are a vital component of a child’s experience at Blairgowrie. The school offers a drama activity for grades 1, 2 and 3 every week. 

For cultural extracurriculars, learners can choose from debating, public speaking, drama, art club and ukulele, with regular music classes being held for grades R to 6. The school also offers South African sign language classes.

There is also a dedicated music centre for Blairgowrie learners, with teachers offering lessons in keyboard, piano, flute, cello, recorder, drums, acoustic guitar, electric guitar and music theory. 

The school’s media centre has about 10,000 books, available for pupils to borrow as they wish.

Additionally, the school offers an eco-club that helps keep the school gardens flourishing while teaching children the value of the environment. 

This is part of the school’s efforts to help children prepare for the fast-approaching future. Blairgowrie also offers coding and robotics classes to prepare kids for the digital age. 

The school has a collection of local partners that help it uphold its high standards. This includes a partnership with PROCARE, an emotional wellness company. 

Children can access counselling, psychological assessments, and trauma and grief management when needed. 

Extra classes are available to learners struggling in any subject. Another advantage of the low learner-to-teacher ratio is the school’s ability to identify children who are struggling and give them the support they need.

“Education is the backbone of society and the ability to live a full, effective lifestyle. That is why we are serious about Academics and we do not compromise,” the school said. 

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More photos from Blairgowrie Primary School:

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