Somerset House is an independent preparatory school that strives to provide an excellent all round education for all children, preparing them thoroughly for higher education and equipping them to make a meaningful contribution to society.

Somerset House is an independent preparatory school that strives to provide an excellent all round education for all children, preparing them thoroughly for higher education and equipping them to make a meaningful contribution to society.

Somerset House is firmly committed to recognising and developing each child’s individuality and potential. We provide a stimulating and challenging academic programme emphasising child-centred learning, deep thinking and the development of life-long study habits.

For sixty years Somerset House has remained a caring environment based on Christian values where self-esteem is nurtured, initiative is encouraged and children are able to develop self discipline while maintaining an awareness and concern for others.

Somerset House is a family school and is welcoming to all.

Somerset House endeavours to teach us all to live unselfishly, considering others.  Non Nobis Solum. Somerset House is special in that it seeks to embrace a modern, dynamic, diverse and changing world while underpinned by sound values. Somerset House is an independent school which makes its own decisions regarding curriculum and learning, while taking cognisance of national and international trends in education.

Somerset House is a disciplined environment where effort, participation and excellence are honoured.Somerset House has a specialness and smallness which in this day and age is quite unique.  The historic buildings and natural grounds are appreciated by all.

The school is housed in the original buildings of the farm Cloetenburg. The farmstead – one of the oldest in Somerset West – is named after Catherine Cloete who, in 1720, bought a portion of what had been Willem Adriaan van der Stel’s Vergelegen estate. The gable was added in 1785. The property changed hands (and appearance) many times.

In 1948 Somerset House School was founded by Dr and Mrs Haydock and was originally situated in Station Road in Somerset West. In 1950 the school moved to its present site and the Cloetenburg homestead, formerly Oatlands Guest House, became a school.

Now a National Monument, the building Cloetenburg forms the heart of the school. It houses the dining room, kitchen, staff room, archives, Headmaster and Admission offices.

The beautiful buildings and oak trees are a valued and important part of the ethos of Somerset House. Undoubtedly this tranquil environment fosters an appreciation of beauty within the children fortunate enough to spend their primary school years here.