School Overview
The Learn to Live School of Skills has been registered with the Western Cape Education Department since 2013 as an independent school and follows the curriculum for Schools of Skills.
This school is dedicated to serving learners aged 14 to 18 who due to challenging socio-economic circumstances, find it difficult to access or adapt to conventional mainstream education. At the heart of our teaching methodology is Project-Based Learning (PBL). This approach enables us to cater more effectively to the unique needs of our students, aligning their education with the requirements of the workplace.
How We Teach
Our four-year educational curriculum follows the guidelines of the Western Cape Department of Education’s CAPS Curriculum for Schools of Skills. At the heart of our teaching methodology is Project-Based Learning, an approach that mirrors the real world of work and builds confidence alongside competence.
Class sizes range from 26 to 36 students. Vocational workshops are kept to between 14 and 20 students per lesson, ensuring every young person receives the individual attention they need to grow.
Learners who arrive unable to read are enrolled in our dedicated Literacy Programme, an intervention project that addresses reading difficulties, builds independent comprehension, reduces anxiety, and prepares students for a confident transition into adulthood.
Through our Smart Work Centre, every learner gains basic computer literacy skills before they leave, because in today’s job market, digital skills are not optional.
Entrepreneurship is woven through every year of the programme, empowering learners to transform their skills into viable ventures that can provide sustainable financial support, whether they find a job or build their own.
All our teachers are fully qualified and registered with SACE, the South African Council for Educators, including every vocational workshop facilitator.
We Nurture The Whole Person
Because a young person cannot learn if they do not feel safe and supported.
We employ a comprehensive and holistic approach that goes far beyond academics and vocational training. Every student has access to a dedicated Social Worker and a full-time Occupational Therapist, walking alongside them through whatever life brings, inside and outside the classroom.
The school encourages every learner to participate in extracurricular activities, fostering a well-rounded education. These activities encompass sports and music, with the added vibrancy of an active marimba band and a dynamic choir, ensuring that every learner has the opportunity to discover and use their natural talents.
Not a subject. A foundation. And a launching pad.
Life Skills & After Graduation
Life Skills plays an integral role in our educational curriculum. Students engage in individual presentations and group activities, which are continuously assessed throughout the year. In Year 4, students compile and organise their learning into a Portfolio of Evidence, a record of everything they have achieved, everything they have learned, and everything they are ready to take into the world.
After graduating, our learners have the option to continue with learnerships, seek employment, start their own small businesses, or participate in one of our other specialised programmes. We are committed to equipping every graduate with the skills and confidence they need to pursue a successful and fulfilling future, long after they leave our doors.
Part Of A Global Mission
Every background. Every belief. Every student welcome.
Local roots. Global reach.
In keeping with the ethos of the Salesians of Don Bosco worldwide, we hold a deep concern for the spiritual growth of our learners. The Learn-to-Live School forms part of a global network of 3,645 Salesian schools spread across 135 countries, and falls under the umbrella of the Catholic Schools network at national and Archdiocesan level.
When a student walks through our doors, they join a community that stretches around the world, united by the same belief Don Bosco carried his entire life: that every young person deserves hope, dignity, and a future.
Open To All
We proudly embrace a non-denominational approach in our admissions process, striving to create a diverse and inclusive educational community. Our philosophy is firmly rooted in the values of inclusivity, and we are committed to building strong partnerships with the parents and guardians of our learners. We believe that by working closely with families, we can foster a supportive and collaborative educational environment that benefits each and every student in our care.