The Heritage School Zimbabwe

Borrowdale Brooke, Harare, Zimbabwe

Nursery (Hericrèche) ages 1+ to 3+; Infants ages 4+ to 6+; Juniors ages 7+ to 12+; Seniors ages 13+ to 18+

Co-educational independent boarding and day school

Learning difficulties are disclosed at registration and assessed by curriculum support staff to determine appropriate support within the school's provision

Zimbabwe

Pupils must be at school before 7:10am; Infants must be collected by 12:30pm; Juniors by 3:30pm; Seniors by 4:30pm

The Heritage School follows an amalgamated British National curriculum and Zimbabwean curriculum across the Junior, Senior and Sixth Form. In the Junior Department, subjects include English, Mathematics, General Science, History, Geography, French, Shona, Art and Design, Music, Information Communication Technology (Computers), Religious Education and Physical Education. Cambridge Primary Checkpoint is taken by Year 6 and progress is tracked with termly reports. In the Senior Department, Years 7–8 include English Language, English Literature, Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, a Second Language, Geography, History, ICT (Computing), Art and Design, Theology, Physical Education, Personal, Social and Health Education, Music and Food Science; Years 9–10 begin IGCSE with Year 11 exams. Sixth Form offers AS/A-level routes with three or four subjects in lower sixth and five-block A–E options for A levels, including a compulsory global perspective course, with many Heritage Sixth Form students going on to top universities worldwide.

As a Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) Examination Centre, The Heritage School has received Outstanding Cambridge Learner Awards and IGCSE and A Level results have improved year on year, with pass rates exceeding 80% in the last three years.

Many Heritage Sixth Form students go on to study at top universities around the world, including the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Malaysia, Russia, Cyprus and South Africa.

Music scholarships are available from Year 7 for outstanding musical talent; sport scholarships are available from Year 6 for students with considerable natural ability.

The Heritage School provides a warm, supportive community with opportunities for personal growth inside and outside the classroom; the school emphasizes conduct expectations and a calm, polite environment across its Borrowdale Brooke campus.

The School is selective but commits to equal opportunity; parents must disclose any learning difficulties at registration, and curriculum support may be provided if appropriate to help the pupil cope.

Overseas entrants whose mother tongue is not English must demonstrate the ability to cope with the English curriculum and may be required to complete a written test in their subjects.

Pastoral care and student conduct expectations guide daily life; the school operates within a structured environment to support student well-being and responsible leadership.

The School maintains admission and welfare policies to ensure safety and proper safeguarding, including standard checks during the admission process and a framework for assemblies, services and activities outside normal hours.

1. Entry Points: The standard entry points are Hericrèche (Pre-School), the Infant Department (Pre Primary), the Junior Department (Primary), and the Senior Department (Secondary). Sixth Form is Year 12 and IGCSE corresponds to Year 10, with non-standard entry points possible during the academic year. Eligibility follows a January 1 birthday rule for the appropriate year group, and younger applicants must demonstrate maturity while older applicants need a valid reason for different placement. Entry typically involves entrance tests and a current school report, which may include information about disciplinary history; the school does not normally admit pupils who would have faced removal for offenses in a previous school.

2. Registration: Parents/guardians must complete the online application with a non-refundable fee; submitting the application does not guarantee admission.

3. Admissions Timetable: All applicants sit the entrance examination; the School contacts applicants two weeks before the exam with schedule details; if there is no communication within two weeks of applying, parents should follow up with the Department Headteacher. Overseas candidates may take papers at their own school if arrangements are satisfactory; an interview is part of the process. Letters offering places and awards are typically issued within about a week after the exam, and parents must accept and pay the registration fee within 10 days.

4. Selection: The Heritage School is selective both academically and in sport. Preconditions include age and maturity, good health, and disclosure of any learning difficulties; selection criteria emphasize success in the entrance examination, a positive recommendation from the current school Headteacher, and well-roundedness. Overseas entrants whose first language is not English must demonstrate ability to cope with English-language curriculum.

5. Scholarships & Awards: Academic Scholarships may be awarded annually to Year 7 entrants and to Sixth Form candidates, with discounts varying case by case, based on merit and interview. Subject Scholarships (Music, Drama, Art, Sport, Mathematics, English) may be awarded to Year 7 entrants, with auditions or assessments for shortlisted candidates. Sixth Form Performance Awards may be available for Drama, Art, Design Technology, Physical Education and Music; contact the Registrar for eligibility and conditions.

6. Responsibilities for Admissions: The Head is responsible for admissions and the process is supervised by the Head; selection criteria and interview procedures are reviewed by the directors. Records related to each application are retained for at least one year after the interview, regardless of offer outcome.

7. Learning Difficulties: The School commits to equal opportunity and discloses any known learning difficulties at registration; pupils are interviewed and may be referred to curriculum support staff for assessment if appropriate.

8. School Fees: All fees are due on or before the first day of each term; exceptional payment terms may be approved by the Headteacher; non-payment can lead to removal from the school register and possible legal action.

9. Withdrawal: Withdrawals require written notice three months before the pupil leaves; this notice period also applies to withdrawals after acceptance; a full term's fees may be payable if notice is not given.

10. School Constitution: The Heritage School is a Private Limited Company and independent; pupils are taught according to the Heritage Curriculum, ZIMSEC and Cambridge International Examinations requirements; families agree to abide by school policies, rules, and uniform requirements, and the school may enforce disciplinary actions as needed.

Academic Scholarships may be awarded annually to Year 7 entrants and to internal and external Sixth Form candidates, with the amount of discount varying by case and awarded on academic merit and interview. Subject Scholarships for Music, Drama, Art, Sport, Mathematics and English may be awarded to Year 7 entrants, with auditions or assessments for shortlisted candidates. Sixth Form Performance Awards may be available for Drama, Art, Design Technology, Physical Education and Music; details and eligibility are provided by the Registrar.