The man behind the top private school in South Africa ranked among the best in the world

James Cameron Todd was a British Anglican canon and schoolmaster who founded Michaelhouse School in South Africa, a school that went on to rank among the best private schools in the world.

Though relatively short, his life left an enduring mark on the country’s education system, shaping a legacy that continues to thrive over a century later.

Born in Rangoon, British Burma, Todd was the son of a man who shared the same name.

His early education took place at the Royal High School in Edinburgh, where he studied from 1874 to 1881.

He then pursued higher education at the University of Glasgow, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in 1884, having been a pupil of the renowned physicist Lord Kelvin.

Unfortunately, very little is known about the founder of Michaelhouse’s personal life before he came to Natal.

However, there is enough to suggest that when he arrived in South Africa at the age of 30 in 1893, he already had a varied and, in some respects, very distinguished career behind him.

In South Africa, he quickly recognised the need for a high-calibre boys’ school in the region—one that combined academic excellence with a strong religious foundation.

At the time, very few institutions offered education beyond Standard VII (Grade 9), and private schools struggled to produce consistent matriculation results, with Hilton College being an exception.

The idea of founding a new school received substantial encouragement, though it was met with some hesitation from the Diocese of Natal, which had been cautious about such ventures due to previous challenges.

Undeterred, Todd established Michaelhouse in 1896 as a private initiative, starting with just 15 boys in two modest houses on Loop Street in Pietermaritzburg.

Within a few years, the school gained official recognition as the Diocesan College for boys in Natal, secured by a permanent Trust Deed and overseen by a Board of Governors.

The Christian ethos that Todd instilled in Michaelhouse remains central to its identity today.

By 1901, Michaelhouse had outgrown its original premises and relocated to Balgowan in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, where 77 boys took up residence in buildings that continue to form the core of the school.

The early years were marked by a pioneering spirit—there was no electricity or running water, and the boys helped farm the land to supplement their food supply.

These humble beginnings are in sharp contrast with the world-class facilities that define Michaelhouse today.

The school’s reputation has only strengthened over time.

In 2024, Michaelhouse earned a spot on Spear’s Magazine’s prestigious list of the world’s best private schools.

This ranking, developed in partnership with the international educational consultancy Thuso, evaluates schools based on academic performance, cultural and social factors, and overall standing.

Spear’s noted that a school’s reputation is not solely determined by academic excellence but also by the broader environment it fosters for students.

Michaelhouse ranked third in the ‘Rest of the World’ category, standing alongside elite institutions from India, Pakistan, Chile, Argentina, and Kenya.

The school boasts a 100% bachelor’s degree pass rate for the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) exams, with an impressive 73.29% average across all subjects. In 2024, its matric class averaged 2.6 distinctions per candidate.

The school’s alumni network includes prominent leaders across various fields, reinforcing its reputation as a place that not only imparts knowledge but also shapes future global citizens.

Despite his profound influence on South African education, Todd’s tenure at Michaelhouse was relatively short.

In 1903, he resigned as rector following a dispute over the unauthorised purchase of a piano. The school’s Board of Governors had not approved the expense, and the disagreement ultimately led to Todd’s departure.

After leaving Michaelhouse, Todd returned to England in 1904, where he dedicated himself to literary and educational pursuits.

Although he never held an official ministerial position, he became a sought-after preacher in London’s most prominent churches, including St James’s Church, Piccadilly, and the Temple Church.

He was also a vocal supporter of the Suffragettes, despite opposition from the Church.

His notable sermon at the funeral of Emily Davison, a Suffragette who famously died after running in front of the King’s horse at the Epsom Derby, cemented his place as a progressive thinker of his time.

Todd’s passion for education remained undiminished. He took ownership of Netherfields School in Crouch End, London, where he met his future wife, Aileen Mary Gallaher.

After selling the school in 1911, he moved to Canada, where he and Aileen married in Montreal.

Upon returning to England, they founded Kelvin House, a preparatory school in Ruislip, named after Todd’s mentor, Lord Kelvin.

The couple had two daughters, Jean (born in 1912) and Margaret (born in 1914).

Unfortunately, Todd’s later years were marked by declining health. In 1915, at the age of 51, he passed away.

He was laid to rest at St Martin’s Church in Ruislip, where his headstone bears the inscription: ‘Founder of Michaelhouse, Natal, S. Africa.’

Although his life ended prematurely, Todd’s vision endures. Michaelhouse remains a testament to his belief in the power of education to shape young minds and build character.

Without Todd, Michaelhouse would never have been born.

Michaelhouse today