World's best school, Pinelands Primary Cape Town

Pinelands North Primary School has made the shortlist to be voted the best school in the world for its inclusive policies. Image: Supplied/ Pinelands North Primary School

Proudly SA: Cape Town school a top 3 finalist for ‘world’s best’ title

Pinelands North Primary School in Cape Town is in the running to be awarded the World’s Best School Prize for inclusive teaching.

World's best school, Pinelands Primary Cape Town

Pinelands North Primary School has made the shortlist to be voted the best school in the world for its inclusive policies. Image: Supplied/ Pinelands North Primary School

A Cape Town school that prides itself on being inclusive, has been nominated for the World’s Best School Prize for Overcoming Adversity.

The award is part of a global initiative that recognises extraordinary schools around the world.

Pinelands North Primary School vying for top honours

Pinelands North Primary School is a top 3 finalist for the prize and is being recognised for being inclusive and promoting diversity.

Teachers Stanley Chilambe, left, and Kayla Hendricks at Pinelands North Primary School’s gender-neutral bathrooms. Image: Supplied/ Pinelands North Primary School

The award, which is valued at $250,000 (R4.5 million), was launched this year by global group T4 Education. Its sponsors include Templeton World Charity Foundation, Accenture and American Express.

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Ann Morton took up the role of principal in 1997 in the early days of South Africa’s democracy. Today the school is a beacon of diversity, she says.

Groundbreaking schooling

  • Pinelands North Primary implements unique rules compared to the stringent regimes of traditional schooling.
  • All pupils, male, female or other, wear the same uniforms. They wear shorts and T-shirts, which are designed to be less traditional and more comfortable.
  • When Pinelands North Primary accepted its first transgender pupil, it provided guidance for families about gender identities.
  • Staff members have been trained on how to guide parents to adapt to transgender inclusion.
  • It boasts gender-neutral bathrooms.
  • Everyone, including teachers, is addressed by their first name.
  • From Grade 2, pupils are taught sign language.

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Charity and welfare

This philosophy of being inclusive, equal and kind also extends to animal welfare. Staff encourage children to take care of animals and view them as part of the family.

The school set up a programme was set up for pupils to volunteer to be “animal monitors” and help coach each other on how best to handle the animals under their care.

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Pinelands North Primary’s governing body started a fund to assist financially impacted families in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. All staff participated in bereavement and trauma training to support pupils and parents during the worst part of the pandemic. It also opened an online school for pupils who could no longer attend classes in person.

If Pinelands North Primary wins the prize, Morton says, it will use the funds to expand its online school and buy a property close to its premises to create a hybrid programme. This would give 100 more pupils access to the school.

The winners will be announced on World Education Day on 19 October 2022 during World Education Week.