When selecting the right school for a child, it is about more than just academics. It involves providing an environment that prioritises holistic growth. To ensure that each child receives well-rounded support tailored to their individual needs, Growing Minds takes a unique and innovative approach, where educators and therapists work together seamlessly for the benefit of the child.
Growing Minds offers small classes from Grade R to Grade 11, with Grade 12 being introduced in 2026, where support, extension and adaptive learning styles are integrated into academic lessons.
The Benefits of Collaborative Learning
Children learn differently, and Growing Minds provides a learning experience that considers each child’s strengths and challenges by combining specialised support with educational expertise. The Growing Minds team consists of dedicated and qualified and educators who collaborate to create individualised plans that promote cognitive, emotional, social and physical development.
Rather than viewing therapy as a stand-alone service, outside of the academic environment, it is seamlessly integrated into the classroom environment. This ensures that students receive structured, consistent support, embedded into their daily routine, that complements their academic journey.
Combining Support and Mainstream Education
Our school provides a flexible but structured programme to help every child realise their greatest potential. Growing Minds is first and foremost a place of learning, and our lessons follow the CAPS curriculum set out by the Department of Education with extensions into other curriculum such as British International.
By redesigning our school day, we are able to incorporate therapeutic interventions, support and extension into the classroom experience, ensuring children receive continuous, holistic support without disrupting their academic schedule.
This is a huge benefit that one does not receive in traditional schooling, where children can often be made to feel different for needing support outside of the classroom. In addition, these supportive sessions such as extra reinforcement or remedial support are often scheduled during lessons or break-times, which results in them missing out on the full school experience. At Growing Minds, the enrichment lessons within the timetable allow for specialised time focussed on enrichment, support and extension.
What makes Growing Minds different?
Small classes: To ensure that individual needs are met and learning can be fun, inspiring and meaningful, there are no more than 12 students per class and one class per grade.
Individualised learning: A focus on interactive learning where children learn best and incorporating different learning styles.
Access to the specialised Enrichment Centre: A committed area where a full range of both conventional and less conventional therapeutic interventions, support and extension are available to all children.
Holistic environment: Growing Minds doesn’t only focus on academic achievement. It also recognises the importance of social and emotional development as well as overall health and wellbeing.
Integrated approach: Growing Minds presents a three phased approach to every learner. Firstly, to ascertain if the child presents with any challenges or enrichment needs, secondly to implement extensive and individualised support, intervention or extension in the classroom and thirdly to identify the therapeutic support or intervention that might need to be put in place outside of the classroom to ensure well rounded success.
Collaboration Beyond the Classroom
Growing Minds’ combined approach extends beyond educators and support to include the families as well. The school values open communication between staff, therapeutic teams and families, recognising the vital role of a team approach and parental commitment and involvement in a child’s development. This is facilitated through regular parent meetings, therapeutic team meetings and individualised learning programmes, ensuring everyone remains engaged in the child’s journey.
The Benefits of an Integrated Approach
Long-term advantages of a learning environment that supports cognitive, emotional, and physical wellbeing include:
- Improved academic achievement
- Improved social skills, confidence and emotional resiliency
- A lifelong love of learning and development of an enquiring mind
The Harvard Graduate School of Education highlights the importance of comprehensive support systems in the educational experience. Similarly, research from the World Economic Forum emphasises the importance of collaborative approaches in education, showing that consolidated teaching and therapy models lead to improved student outcomes.
Unlocking Potential Through Growing Minds
By ensuring that each and every child receives the structured, holistic support and enrichment they need to thrive, Growing Minds is redefining the way education is viewed. By strengthening partnerships between educators, therapeutic teams and families, our school fosters an environment where students can grow into confident, capable individuals.
For more information about Growing Minds’ educational programmes and the Enrichment Centre, contact the school by email info@growingminds.capetown, phone 021 461 1709, or visit the website https://growingminds.capetown
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