School Type: Co-Educational

Every parents desires the very best that life can offer their child. Cowan House is a unique preparatory school committed to providing the broadest education for both girls and boys in a stimulating and happy environment. It encourages the all-round development of each child and so ensures that all leave the school confident and well equipped not only for senior school but also for success in a changing world.

Founded in 1948 and set on 25 acres in scenic Hilton in the Natal Midlands, Cowan House offers all the benefits of life in the country whilst being only 10 minutes from the city of Pietermaritzburg. The award-winning gardens are designed to encourage the children to run free and interact with nature.

Cowan House provides an all-encompassing approach to education, which stimulates independent thought and open, inquiring minds whilst encouraging group learning. The staff are committed to providing educational excellence during the formative years. Small classes allow teachers to give each child individual attention and encouragement. Emphasis is placed on developing self-confidence and self-improvement to ensure that the children strive to reach their full potential.

Self-study and a love of reading is encouraged. State-of-the-art technology ensures that the children at Cowan House develop independent research abilities before high school. The Design and Technology Centre is used for Computer Studies, Design Technology and Art Lessons.

Children are admitted from Grade RR to Grade 7. The Reception Class includes all recognised pre-school activities including Computer Literacy, Kindermusiek, Playball and swimming. From Grades 1 to 5, learning is encouraged through active participation with class teachers. From Grade 6, the emphasis moves to subject teaching in lecture theatres, adjacent to the research facilities.

Cowan House has excellent facilities for sport, extracurricular activities, recreation and the pursuit of hobbies. Cricket, swimming, tennis, rugby, athletics, hockey, cross-country and basketball receive priority. Chess, pottery, horse riding, judo, ballet, modern dancing and drama are also available.There is a junior and senior choir and each class has at least one singing lesson per week. Piano, recorder, guitar, saxophone, clarinet, flute and drumming lessons are optional.

Cowan House has excellent facilities for sport, extracurricular activities, recreation and the pursuit of hobbies. Cricket, swimming, tennis, rugby, athletics, hockey, cross-country, soccer and basketball are some of the sports played by the children.  The new Multi- Purpose Indoor Centre, which has a full indoor hockey field, two tennis courts, indoor cricket nets and three basketball courts, ensures that sport continues no matter what the weather. 

There are many extra mural activities on offer including chess, pottery, ballet, modern dancing and drama to name a few.  Children attend two music lessons a week and there is a junior and senior choir as well as an orchestra.  Piano, recorder, guitar, saxophone, clarinet, flute and drumming lessons are optional.

Lunch is available daily in the dining hall. Afternoon supervision includes monitored prep sessions, access to the Design and Technology Centre, artroom and library. The school offers a supervised aftercare facility for children from Grade RR to Grade 2.

The modern boarding facilities provide a comfortable and happy atmosphere away from home for boys and girls. Boarders are cared for by a qualified and experienced nursing sister, ensuring professional attention for health needs whilst providing a warm, loving hub around which the home life of the boarder revolves. The news girls boarding house was completed in January 2005. The annual go-kart race in the school grounds has been a highlight at the school for many years. This and regular parents’ days help cement the community spirit so evident at Cowan House.

A Christian ethos pervades the school and each child is encouraged to develop a strong value system based on sound principles and clearly defined boundaries. This results in well-adjusted children who are courteous and have consideration for others.

Make an appointment to visit Cowan House, meet the headmaster, staff and children and accept their warm invitation to choose the best of both worlds for your child.

School Phase:

• Pre-Primary
• Primary

Lowest Grade: Grade 00
Highest Grade: Grade 7
Boarding: Yes
Boarding From: Grade 3
Number of Pupils: 376
Founding Year: 1948
Religious Affiliation: Christian
Lowest Tuition Fees Per Annum: R20700
Highest Tuition Fees Per Annum: R53180
Lowest Boarding Fees (inc. Tuition): R83020
Highest Boarding Fees (inc. Tuition): R89680
Address: 11 Dennis Shepstone Drive
Postal Code: 3245
Telephone: 033 343 3261
Fax: 033 343 1368
Website: http://www.cowanhouse.co.za
Suburb: Hilton
City/Town: Hilton
South African Province: KwaZulu-Natal
Country: South Africa