The top private school founded on a wine farm where every Grade 9 student goes on a 360km expedition

Somerset College is a South African private school that combines elite academic performance with a strong focus on outdoor education.

The school was founded in 1997 on the Vredelus farm in the Cape Winelands of the Western Cape.

This 32-hectare estate still hosts its original historic farmhouses, which have been restored and converted into the school’s administrative offices.

Somerset College’s schooling structure ranges from Grade 000 to Matric, and it offers both the IEB and Cambridge A-level curricula.

It was founded with a strong Christian ethos, and it has its own chapel, which is used for a wide range of activities.

The school is associated with the member churches of the Church Unity Commission – Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Congregational.

It started as an English-speaking independent high school with 70 students and 11 staff members.

The school then opened its boarding house in 1998, before expanding to have a preparatory school in 2001.

Somerset College’s relatively young history has allowed it to prioritise building modern, world-class facilities and a dynamic curriculum.

This includes a strong focus on providing a holistic education, which includes academics, sports, cultural activities, leadership, and outdoor programmes.

The goal is to ensure every student can thrive in their areas of expertise, thereby nurturing critical, creative, and collaborative thinkers.

“At Somerset College, we believe in nurturing the whole person – our students are more than learners; they are future leaders, creative thinkers, and compassionate contributors to the world,” said Jacques Nel, Head of the Senior School.

“More than a school, Somerset College is a family – a vibrant, supportive community where students thrive, friendships flourish, and futures are built.”

Today, the school has over 600 students in Grades 8 to 12.

Excellent achievements

Somerset College has quickly proven itself to be one of the highest-achieving schools in South Africa.

Academically, the 2025 Somerset College IEB matric class was the highest-achieving in the Western Cape, and placed fourth nationally.

Learners achieved an average of 4.15 A symbols, and over the past nine years, the school has always averaged at least 3 A symbols per student.

The school has maintained a 100% Bachelor’s Degree pass rate since its founding in 1997.

However, the school is not just an academic powerhouse.

It also runs a comprehensive Outdoor Education Programme that teaches students about life beyond the classroom.

The flagship event of this programme is Trek, which all Grade 9 students complete every November.

Students cover 360km over 27 days, with this distance including travel on foot, by canoe, and by bicycle.

It both begins and ends at the De Hoop Nature Reserve, and requires students to lead, cook, camp, and reflect – without any electronic devices such as smartphones.

“Challenging yet transformative, Trek pushes students beyond their comfort zones and fosters personal growth in ways no classroom can,” said the school’s website.

“For many, it becomes the defining highlight of their Somerset College journey.”

Other outdoor activities engaged in by Somerset College students as part of the programme include:

• Grade 8: Outward Bound – camping and activities that prepare students for the following year’s Trek.
• Grade 10: Cederberg Camp – Students hike the Cederberg mountain range while camping, visiting historic sites, and doing community work.
• Grade 11: Back to Basics Camp – This is a four-day leadership camp that prioritises team-building, problem-solving, and leadership skills.

The school also offers a wide variety of sports and cultural activities for students to expand their skills and explore their creative expression.

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Somerset College Photos

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