The top school in the Winelands where most matriculants achieved an A average

Most of the matriculants at Somerset College in the Winelands achieved an A average, with 8 students attaining an exceptional 90% or higher average.

Equally impressive is that the 2024 matric class achieved an average of 4.2 A symbols per student and the school maintained its 100% bachelor’s degree pass rate.

Somerset College was established in 1997 as an independent English-speaking, co-educational high school in the Winelands of the Western Cape.

The founding head of the school was David Wynne, appointed by the governing body in 1996 to oversee the establishment of the school on the Vredelus farm.

In 1997, Somerset College held its first assembly with 11 staff members and 70 founding students.

Over the next three years, it established a boarding house, built the multi-purpose Boonzaier Centre, and established the Somerset College Library.

The school showed rapid growth, added quality ICT capabilities, and world-class sports facilities, launching a Cambridge Programme.

Last year, Somerset College appointed Jacques Nel as its executive head and installed a solar PV system.

Despite being a relatively new school, Somerset College has established itself as a prestigious institution with exceptional academic achievements.

These achievements are seen in the 2024 matric results, which were released on Monday, 13 January 2025.

Over the past eight years, the school has maintained an impressive average of at least 3 A symbols per student.

In 2024, Somerset College set a new standard with its matriculants achieving an average of 4.2 A symbols per student.

It also upheld its unbroken record of a 100% bachelor’s degree pass rate, ensuring all our students have access to university opportunities.

Among the 98 candidates, 59 achieved an A average, with eight students attaining a 90% or higher average.

These eight students are Tahirah Ahmed, Ella Beattie, Ashleigh Cotterrell, Zara Hingeston, Nila Prinsloo, Isabella Pritchett, Sarah Tucker, and Gabriella Verdal-Austin.

Somerset College students were awarded 40 Top 1% awards for featuring in the top 1% of their cohort nationally across various subjects.

“Our students attained an average over 10% higher than the national IEB average in 10 subjects,” the school said in a statement.

Nel congratulated the students for their academic achievements, highlighting their dedication, perseverance, and pursuit of excellence.