Here’s the most important thing you need to know: we’re more than just a school. We help children to realize their full growth potential, and we’re invested in their success.
SINCE 2010
Boland Autism School’s doors were opened on the 18th January 2010 in Paarl.
13 EXPERTS
We’re super proud of our diverse and talented team.
41 ENROLLED STUDENTS
We currently work with 41 amazing children who we are very proud of.
Our team is driven by the success of our children. Every single day, we'll support and encourage them to become the best versions of themselves.
Ingrid du Toit
School Manageress
OUR HISTORY & ACHIEVEMENTS
According to Autism South Africa, about 1 in 88 South African children are affected by autism – and growing. In a recent study, it was estimated that every hour a child with autism is born in South Africa (www.autismsouthafrica.org.za). These children often need special care and education to cater for their needs.
However, in 2009 there were only two existing Autism-specific schools in the Western Cape, both of which had long waiting lists of over 100 children.
Therefore, in September 2009, a few parents and professionals from Paarl got together and saw the need to open a school for autism in the Boland area to cater for the autism community surrounding Paarl and Stellenbosch. With lots of support and donations from the Paarl community and guidance from Above, we opened our doors on 18 January 2010 at the Drakenstein Dutch Reformed Church. We started with 4 children and two tutors.
Achievements
The executive mayor of Drakenstein presented the school with a Mayoral Award for service to the community in 2011.
Boland School for Autism registered as an Act 18A Non-profit organisation at the beginning of 2011 with registration number 089-279-NPO.
The school numbers increased from 21 to 36 in 18 months. 2 Learners were referred back to mainstream and are doing extremely well.
OUR VISION & MISSION
The Boland School for Autism is nestled in the picturesque town of Paarl. The school was founded in September 2009 by a few parents and professionals, after the need for such a school in Paarl and the surrounding area grew.
The school aims to be an autism-specific school that offers education based on the needs and special abilities of the individual learner. We are therefore committed to providing specialised education and facilities for our learners, as well as the continual professional training of staff to render the best service possible. We also follow a multi-disciplinary approach with a team consisting of an occupational therapist, speech-language therapist, social worker, educational psychologist and kinderkineticist.
OUR VALUES
We are positive about life and the opportunities it presents
Our actions are transparent
Our intentions are sincere
Our team consist of like-minded individuals with unique skills and attributes
We exude humanity in all we do and speak
Everyone is committed to the goals of our school
Every person is respected – regardless
We are proud of our learners and our school
We recognize and celebrate
OUR TEAM
Qualified teachers with a special feel for learners with special needs preferably with experience in working with autism.
Class Assistants to assist the abovementioned teachers.
Administrator to help with secretarial work, administrating funds and finances.