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A contemporary and affordable preparatory school with smaller, tailored classes
At Eden Village Preparatory School we provide a quality and affordable mainstream education to children from Grades 1-7.
Limited to two classes per grade, with between 18 and 22 pupils per class, Eden Village Prep provides a highly personalised teaching experience for pupils to thrive in the opportunities created by a smaller class environment. With our smaller class sizes, and a focus on differentiated teaching techniques and learning styles, we encourage pupils to develop learner agency - ownership and control of their learning - thus challenging each child to reach their full potential. It also enables us to accommodate pupils who learn at different rates, including those children seeking to overcome specific short-term barriers to learning.
Eden Village Prep is a private independent school, registered with the Department of Basic Education. We follow a CAPS curriculum with a strong emphasis on literacy, numeracy and enquiry based learning techniques. We recognise that traditional mainstream education must evolve and respond to rapidly advancing globalisation and technology dynamics. Our distinctive, progressive approach to education focuses on teaching children how to become independent learners who are intrinsically motivated, intentionally developing mastery in the skills and attitudes of critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration and co-creation, grit and determination, creative enquiry and innovation. We prepare our pupils for their future by providing an engaging learning environment that grows them academically, emotionally, socially, physically and attitudinally.
Eden Village Prep is committed to a philosophy of Inclusion; where our thinking, planning and actions revolve around ensuring all individuals: pupils, parents and guardians and our team, feel accepted, valued, and safe. Our school structures and curriculum are designed to match an evolving local & international landscape, and to meet the requirements of pupils with a wide range of learning strengths, abilities and needs.
Eden Village Prep provides a range of action sports, together with links and strategic partnerships with a wide range of sporting specialists and other schools, which enables our learners to participate in a variety of sports to suit their preferences and aptitudes.
A warm welcome from our Principal
Jacky Wolverson
Principal
It is my pleasure to welcome you to our school, Eden Village Preparatory School, which we have established in order to provide pupils with access to smaller class sizes, and therefore a more personalised approach to education.
Since my appointment as Principal in January 2024, I have been deeply honoured to lead the Eden Village Preparatory School community. Having settled into Ballito with my family since relocating from Cape Town, I continue to be deeply committed to this chapter at Eden Village Preparatory School. I am dedicated to working closely with our talented staff, wonderful pupils, and supportive parents to build upon Eden Village Prep's reputation for providing smaller classes that enable truly individualised attention.
With the continued support of our Chairman Mr Haden Keeton and Co-founder Mr Pete Moss, and guided by the foundational work of Founding Principal Mrs Astra Russell, we remain committed to ensuring our pupils graduate from Eden Village Prep as happy, confident, and well-rounded individuals, fully prepared and excited for the challenges and opportunities of their chosen high schools.
My 18-years in education, spanning local and international settings and diverse age groups, including my experience as Principal of the UK Online School: Purple Ruler, and previously as Deputy Head of Forres Preparatory School in Cape Town, have shaped my belief in the power of a high-quality education that equips pupils for the future. I am passionate about understanding and meeting the academic and social needs of each child and leading a school that fosters a secure, encouraging, and developmental environment.
My personal commitment to continuous learning and research directly benefits our educational approach. My extensive training in reading and language development, and my leadership in implementing Thinking School South Africa's Whole Brain Learning, Inquiry-Based Learning, and Thinking Maps programmes at Forres, reflect this. I am particularly excited that Eden Village Prep is embracing a ‘Thriving School’ ethos, where Learner Agency, Independent Learning, Intrinsic Motivation, and Mastery are central to our curriculum. As an Apple Teacher, I am also eager to integrate technology thoughtfully to enhance all aspects of our school.
In addition to my academic experience, I am a strong believer in the value that sport and culture play in the life of a pupil, both in developing new skills and as a healthy outlet after a busy day in the classroom. I have a proven track record of success in developing and managing high-performing teams. In my role as U13A Girls Hockey Zonal/Provincial Team Manager and Selector, I motivated and led the team to victory in both 2013 and 2014. I have also successfully captained and played for the City of London Freemen’s School Ladies' 1st Hockey Team and the CPUT South African University Tournament team. In the last two years, I have developed a love for running, completing 3 marathons. I believe that sports and culture play an essential role in students' holistic development, and I am committed to providing all students with opportunities to participate in sporting activities. I am excited about working with the Governing Body and our Sport Coaching Team to develop a highly competitive ‘Action Sports’ programme at Eden Village Prep.
I am committed to creating a safe and inclusive learning environment for all pupils. I have extensive training in cyberbullying prevention and POPIA compliance, and I am familiar with the Narrative Approach to education, which focuses on helping students develop their own stories and make sense of their experiences. I believe that all students deserve to feel safe and respected at school, and I will work tirelessly to create a culture of respect, kindness, and compassion.
Having embarked on this journey together since 2024, it has been a privilege to witness the growth and development of our pupils, supported by our dedicated parents and guardians. I remain steadfast in my belief that together we are creating a school where our children continue to thrive personally and academically within a supportive, nurturing, collaborative, and secure environment.