From teaching a few children at the back of a Church to becoming a fully recognised school. This is one South African’s dream (which became a reality) to assist the needs of children with learning challenges.

 

Elsen Academy opened its doors at the beginning of 2006. Its founder, Philippa Fabbri, had a vision of an independent school that catered for the needs of children who had barriers to learning. The local state school had limited capacity and strict enrollment criteria.

Elsen initially started with just 13 learners from grades 1-3 and operated out of a small church building in Walmer. Such was the need for a school like Elsen, that just three months later, the school moved into a larger property in Heugh Road.

The school was now growing rapidly and in the middle of 2009 the school moved once again into its current premises in Bird Street.

Registered with the Education Department as an independent special needs school (EMIS 101021), Elsen Academy caters for students from grades 1-12. They currently have provisional accreditation from Umalusi and await the on-site visit to achieve full accreditation. Elsen is also a proud member of the Independent Schools Association of South Africa (ISASA).

“We currently have 134 pupils, 25 educators. Our pupil-teacher ratio is 5:1, this enables individual attention to take place… added to that we have 4 psychologists, an occupational therapist and two speech therapists.”

They follow the same curriculum as state schools and their matric class write the same matric as the rest of the country. In 2017 the class achieved a 100% pass rate!

“Some of the kids had been told when they were younger that they would never get a matric but we are very proud of the fact that after four grade 12 classes we have had a 100% pass rate.”

The school is also very aware that there are some children who need a more practical and skills-based educational route and so have developed a curriculum that includes ABET English and Maths, as well as courses that the learners can select like coffee making, cooking, baking, gardening, food production, and carpentry.

“We are wanting to add to these but obviously need the space and the resources. Developing our very own Makerspace, is next on the radar. Teaching the important aspects of sharing, creating and learning while producing a product that someone might want to buy.”

“We are very excited about this venture but need to aquire the equipment and machinery such as high-tech laser cutters, 3D printers as well as things like welding torches and electrical kits. If we can partner with industry to assist us to train our young artisans so that they can skilled enough to become employed in these same industries, what a wonderful partnership that can be.”

The school’s mission is two-fold… teaching children with unique educational needs in a caring and positive environment and guiding and supporting children in becoming independent and productive individuals.

Fabbri has dedicated her life to helping children with learning challenged to reach their full potential and with a motto like “no limits to learning”, the children in this school are sure to get there.


Sources: Elsen Academy
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Brent Lindeque is the founder and editor in charge at Good Things Guy.

Recognised as one of the Mail and Guardian’s Top 200 Young South African’s as well as a Primedia LeadSA Hero, Brent is a change maker, thought leader, radio host, foodie, vlogger, writer and all round good guy.

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