Reaching Out is a survey of community development and service programmes in ISASA member schools. The survey was compiled from questionnaire data returned by schools, as well as qualitative descriptions of?many individual programmes. ISASA used as a basis for its questionnaire the excellent document Good Neighbours, produced by the Independent Schools Council (ISC) in the United Kingdom.

A total of 136 schools, consisting in many cases of pre-primary, primary and secondary sections, responded to the questionnaire. Over 57,000 learners attend these schools, of which 9,607 boys and 14,414 girls are involved in community development programmes. Close to 1,900 staff members are also involved in these programmes.

Perhaps most importantly, the survey reveals that community development programmes in ISASA schools reach more learners than the total number enrolled in all independent schools in South Africa (over 500,000).

Copies of Reaching Out can be obtained from the ISASA national offices.