Sparrow Schools Educational Trust

Sparrow Schools Educational Trust was founded in 1989 and subsequently, the Foundation School and Sparrow Combined School and Vocational Skills Training Centre’s, were registered as independent schools for learners with special learning needs.

Today, Sparrow Schools Educational Trust comprises of four facilities: the Foundation School for children aged 7 to 13 years; The Sparrow Combined School for youth 14 – 16, the Sparrow FET College – 16-25 yrs and the SALC (Sparrow Assisted Learning Centre) for learners with mild to moderate intellectual disability. Together, these facilities cater for over 600 children and youth, most of whom have developed a learning disability as a result of various social impacts. 60% are impacted by HIV/Aids (affected by or infected with), and 25% are orphaned, living in places of safety or child-headed households.

The Foundation School offers a specialised curriculum in literacy, numeracy, life skills, computer skills and practical skills such as cooking, woodwork, sewing, crafts, music and movement.

The Sparrow Combined School and Vocational Training offers literacy and numeracy, life skills, computer skills and vocational skills programmes, linked to a particular vocational skill. Since our registration as an FET College, the Sparrow Combined School continues to act as an institution that supports learners between the ages of 14-16 with learning needs, and transitions them from a school environment into a specific vocational stream.

The FET College offers a full qualification in an NQF 2 in automotive and repair, cabinet making & carpentry, catering, welding within the FET band, as well as a qualification in ABET levels 1-4. The Sparrow FET College will act as an exit point for the learners from the Sparrow Combined environment. The FET College was recently registered and received provisional accreditation. This exciting new achievement has seen the first FET College of its kind in South Africa - for youth with barriers to learning.

The Sparrow Assisted Learning Centre provides a specialised programme for youth who have mild to moderate intellectual disabilities, between the ages of 14-19, providing them with a life skills programme which will enable them to function in the society.

The aim of these facilities is to provide affordable, appropriate, quality education; vocational skills training; and extensive learner support in the form of remedial and psychosocial support to learners, most of whom have experienced various social impacts such as trauma, abuse, abandonment, being impacted by HIV/AIDS (orphaned, infected etc).

All our efforts are aimed at equipping and preparing children and youth who face learning challenges, to participate positively in society. This will ensure that they can find employment or become involved in income generating projects to sustain themselves.