Below you’ll find answers to the questions we get asked the most about our school.
I would like to visit the school, how can I do this?
Please contact Thirusha Abrahams via email to book your school tour:
What is the entrance procedure?
How does Cambridge education differ from South African education?
Cambridge vs the South African Curriculum
At the International School of Cape Town, we follow the internationally recognised Cambridge curriculum from Early Years to A Levels.
- Early Learning: Nursery (from 3½ years) and Reception (from 4½ years) introduce literacy and numeracy early, compared to Grade 1 in the South African curriculum.
- Languages: Additional languages are introduced in Year 3, with choices including Afrikaans, French, or Spanish, which can be studied from Year 5 through IGCSE.
- High School: Years 7–11 lead to IGCSE exams; Year 12 offers AS Levels, with an optional Year 13 for full A Levels.
- Matric Equivalency: IGCSE and AS Level results provide a recognised South African matric exemption, opening doors to local and international universities.
The Cambridge pathway combines academic rigor, global recognition, and flexibility, allowing students to progress at an internationally benchmarked pace.
What is your class size?
Our maximum capacity is 24 per class from Reception to Yr 13.
Our Key Stage 1 classes (Nursery to Year 2) have teacher assistants in addition to the qualified teacher and ensure a low adult to student ratio.
When does your academic year begin?
We run according to the South African academic calendar. Students coming in to ISCT from the Northern Hemisphere usually ‘repeat’ part of the year they were in before they moved. In some instances we will allow a student to ‘jump’ into the next year, especially if they are in Cape Town for a short period of time and do not want to lose out on academic time. This is unusual, and only done keeping the best interest of the student in mind.
The IGCSE (Year 10-11) is usually a 2 year course. We have successfully shortened it to 18 months so as to accommodate Northern Hemisphere students wishing to return ‘home’ to start AS\/A levels in the July of that year.
How many students do you have and where do they come from?
ISCT is home to approximately 460 students, ranging from Nursery through to A Levels, representing over 45 nationalities.
While we are proudly international, more than half of our students are South African, reflecting a diverse and inclusive school community.
I always thought an International School was for foreign students. Why are there so many local students?
Globally Recognised Curriculum: The Cambridge curriculum provides strong academic foundations for local and international university entry.
International Mobility: Consistent and flexible learning supports families with globally mobile careers.
Early Learning: Literacy and numeracy start in Reception (age 4½–5), giving children a head start compared to the national curriculum.
ISCT combines academic excellence, global adaptability, and learner-focused flexibility, making it a trusted choice for South African families.
