Cordwalles Preparatory School

Focus

Building boys of courage and character

Day fees 2024/25

$2,300–$8,200

Boarding fees 2024/25

$13,500–$13,600

Pupils

360

Ages

3–13

Spear’s Review

Cordwalles Preparatory School is an independent day and boarding school for boys, located in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Founded in 1912, the school aims to build boys ‘of courage and character’ and equip all Cordies with the tools and values they need to become gentlemen who seek and seize opportunities.

Cordwalles offers a holistic education underpinned by Anglican values. Boys follow the South Africa national curriculum and are able to study a range of languages including Afrikaans, English and isiZulu. They can also take advantage of Cordwalles’ extensive arts and design and technology centres, learning robotics and coding, and study outdoors in the school’s ‘environmental classroom’.

Outside of the classroom, there are many sports for boys to partake in, including cricket, rugby, tennis, hockey and football. The school grounds span nearly 40 acres, with four tennis courts, a heated 25m swimming pool, a woodland cross-country track and many playing fields.

Boarding is a large part of Cordwalles life, and boarders are allotted a ‘big brother’ and ‘big sister’ who act as mentors. Each student has plenty of space in his dormitory, as well as full access to the school and its grounds after teaching hours and at weekends, meaning that Cordies boys can truly call their school home.

Academics

According to the school, Cordwalles boys are continually assessed at the school, particularly at senior primary level, and yield impressive results year-round.

Senior schools destinations

Cordwalles Old Boys frequently progress to the top senior schools in South Africa.

Head teacher

Headmaster Lance Veenstra is an experienced rugby and cricket coach and player. Having grown up locally, Veenstra attended Maritzburg College and the Johannesburg College of Education. In 1991, Veenstra started teaching PE and history at his old school, Maritzburg College, also serving as house master, head of history and physical education, master in charge of rugby and head of department in charge of prefects. He joined Cordwalles in 2009, and previously held deputy headmaster and director of sport roles at the school.

Admissions

Prospective applicants are asked to tour the school and complete an application. Next steps include submitting required documentation and attending an interview with the headmaster. Ahead of being offered a place at the school, applicants will complete an assessment.

Accessibility 

King Shaka International Airport: 1 hour 20 minutes

Location

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