Roedean School’s holistic approach sees more than half its candidates scoring above 80%

Roedean School’s Matric Class of 2024 has achieved jaw-dropping results, with a 100% Bachelor’s Degree Pass rate and more than half the students scoring above 80%. Overall, students achieved an impressive combined average of 79.4% and an average of 4.42 distinctions per student. Additionally, 18 results ranked in the top 1% in various subjects.

According to Annabel Roberts, Head of Senior School at Roedean, “The key to our success is our focus on holistic well-being, which supports the child as a whole, rather than just academically.”

She adds, “Because of this, we’ve seen the greatest improvements in students’ marks from the end of Grade 11 to Grade 12. Our approach demonstrates that the solution lies not in hyper-focusing on academic excellence only but in taking care of the student as a whole – emotionally, physically and spiritually. This has resulted in us achieving the second-best results we have ever achieved.”

To make this happen, Roedean implemented several important changes. “We increased break times, set aside time for meetings, sports and cultural activities, and created small, integrated tutor groups that encourage mentorship. We also reduced academic time, allowing students to pursue sporting and cultural activities and better manage their time and well-being.”

This shift has been very successful.

Roberts continues, “These impressive Matric results were achieved while keeping our holistic approach in mind. We believe our students have not only excelled academically and in sports and cultural activities, but they have also developed as individuals.”

Roedean School is known for its excellent academic programmes and offers a dynamic curriculum that emphasises creativity, critical thinking and character development. Students are encouraged to explore a wide range of interests – from sciences and humanities to arts and sports – in a supportive environment that helps them develop their own strengths. 

Additionally, Roedean School promotes a strong sense of social responsibility among its students. Various programmes encourage them to engage with both local and global issues, helping to shape young women who are not only knowledgeable but also compassionate and determined to make a difference.

This commitment is reflected in the achievements of our two top students, who both earned nine distinctions and ranked in the IEB’s top 5% in six or more subjects. In addition to achieving academic excellence, they also excelled in various sporting and cultural co-curricular activities. 

“In fact, at the end of 2024 Roedean was ranked the seventh-best sporting school and the top water polo school in South Africa, according to SuperSport. That is the balance we’re passionate about,” adds Roberts.

For the school’s Executive Director, Lindi Dlamini, Matric marks the end of a magical time spent preparing students to take their rightful place in society, inspired to live a life of significance. 

“We take pride in the work we’ve done to equip these young students to be reliable, ethical global citizens who have not only grown in their academic, sporting and cultural abilities but who have grown in their characters, too,” says Dlamini.

Roedean School’s achievements demonstrate how effective a holistic approach to education can be. The results speak for themselves – a 100% Bachelor’s Degree Pass rate and a remarkable number of distinctions show that when students feel supported and balanced, they can shine in all areas.

Key highlights:

• Second-highest results achieved in the history of the school
• 100% Matriculation pass rate
• 100% Bachelor’s Degree – BD (university entrance) – pass rate
• 292 distinctions from 66 students
• An average of 4.4 distinctions per candidate
• The overall average of the cohort was 79.4% 
• Three candidates on the IEB Outstanding Achievements List: Kajal Jogi, Mia Loizides and Neo Leseilane were ranked in the top 5% of IEB learners in six or more subjects and achieved a rating level of 7 in Life Orientation
• One candidate on the IEB Commendable Achievements List: Ammarah Ismail was ranked in the top 5% of IEB learners in five or more subjects and achieved a rating level of 7 in Life Orientation

Key statistics: 

• Two students received nine distinctions
• 12 students were ranked in the top 1% across 18 subjects
• Eight students received eight distinctions
• 10 students received seven distinctions
• Four students received six distinctions
• 10 students received five distinctions
• All subjects with more than three students were above the IEB average
• Subjects that were 10% or more above the IEB average: Geography (16%), Mathematics (15%), Afrikaans FAL (15%), Physical Sciences (13%), Visual Arts (12%), Life Sciences (11%), Music (11%), Accounting (10%), History (10%) and English HL (10%)