New Hope School is a school for learners living with certain specific conditions that present learning and physical challenges. The specialized academic programme is designed to accommodate English and Afrikaans learners between the ages of three and twenty years of age. In the ECD, Foundation and Intersen Phases of the school, children are taught and assessed in order to prepare them for mainstream education. If they are unable to pass the requirements of the mainstream, academic system of the school, learners can be accommodated in the Life Skills and Vocational Phases until the age of 20 .
A team of teachers and therapists ensure that all learners are treated with the utmost respect, dedication and care. Learners with cerebral palsy who are unable to follow the school’s curriculum attend special classes. Learners in the Grade R to Grade 12 academic stream are assessed according to mainstream standards. Our Grade 12 learners write the same external exam written by other mainstream high schools in South Africa.
The curriculum at New Hope School has been developed to assist learners to reach their full potential as they progress through their schooling. In addition to this, there are a number of therapy services on offer including academic learner support, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, psychology, speech therapy, medical services and a social worker.
New Hope School offers a complement of sport and cultural activities to aid in development of learners with both learning and physical disabilities. A variety of sporting codes are offered to learners with cerebral palsy and physical disabilities. Learners participate in inter-school, provincial and national competitions. Culturally, learners are offered participation in visual arts, eisteddfods and speech festivals, musical activities such as choir, rhythm group and wheelchair dancing, as well as involvement in the United Christian Student Association.
The hostel at New Hope School makes the school’s valuable services attainable for learners living outside of Pretoria, in rural areas and foreign countries. The hostel offers comfortable sleeping areas and specially-designed bathrooms for learners with physically disabilities. The hostel staff members are trained to proficiently tend to learners’ needs, and to provide a home atmosphere in which learners are well-adjusted and happy. School work is overseen, and ample recreational activities are arranged. The school is also responsible for the transportation of learners from various suburbs around Pretoria, with 12 mini-buses collecting the children from their place of residence.
The school also provides an aftercare facility where the children are divided into three groups according to their needs and age. Trained facilitators assist learners with their homework and other needs. A balanced lunch is provided and fun activities like swimming, playing in the sandpit, ball games etc. takes place. The aftercare provides a safe environment for the children of working parents.