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Northside Primary School

Botswana, Gaborone

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees BWP 76,545
Ages 5 - 12 years
Type Co-educational
Opened 1974
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum IB (PYP)
Taught languages French, Sesotho
Typical class size 24
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, STEM
Clubs Arts and Creative, Community and Service, Leadership and Professional
Stages Early Years, Primary School
Introduction

Northside Primary School is a private, international English-medium school in Gaborone, Botswana, offering International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme for ages 5 to 12. It operates as an IB World School since 2011 and fosters inquiry-based, transdisciplinary learning organized around six themes, with a PYP coordinator supporting learners and teachers. The campus at Extension 9, Tshekedi Crescent, Plot 2786, features spacious grounds, six adventure play areas, and a strong emphasis on learner support. Facilities include an ICT laboratory, a library, an auditorium, two music rooms, an indoor gym, and sports amenities: grass fields for cricket, soccer and athletics; a tennis and netball astro turf; a 25m pool; and a pavilion with changing rooms and a cafe. After-school activities exceed 30 offerings, including sports, dance, music, robotics, coding, chess and debate. The school maintains a relationship with international partners and has a PYP coordinator, Joanna Laverick, at pyp@northside.ac.bw and active parent involvement.

Plot 2786, Tshekedi Crescent, Extension 9, Gaborone, Southern Botswana

The Essentials

Northside Primary School has typical class sizes of 24, instruction in English.

Location
The school is located in Gaborone, Botswana. It is on Tshekedi Crescent Extension 9, Plot 2786 (9W3F+FW8), near the city centre and easily accessible from many areas of the city.

Stages
Early Years (Reception) and Primary (Std 1–Std 7). It delivers the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP) for these levels.

Type
Private, international English‑medium school.

Pupil Nationality Mix
36 nationalities represented; diverse international community.

Additional learning support
Student Support Services centre.

Country affiliation
Botswana
Diving Deeper

Uniform Requirement
The school has a gender-neutral universal dress code; uniform with the school logo is mandatory.

Food Options
The school has a cafe on campus providing healthy meals.

House System
The school has 4 house lapas for house activities.

Governance and Ownership
The school is privately owned and governed by a School Council comprising representatives from the parent body and founder member/debenture companies.
Fees

Annual tuition at Northside Primary School ranges from BWP 76,545 for 2026/27.

Application fee
- A non‑refundable application/registration fee of BWP 400.00 is charged at application.

Tuition fees (by year group and term)
- Reception – Standard 7: BWP 25,515.00 per term. (Fees are shown as a single rate for Reception through Standard 7.)
- Typical full academic year (three terms) at the term rate: BWP 76,545.00 per year (3 × BWP 25,515.00).
- Annual prepayment discount: an annual payment at the start of the year receives a 5% discount when paid on or before 31 January (example annual amount after 5% discount: BWP 72,717.75).
- Monthly instalment option: fees may be paid in 10 equal monthly instalments (example instalment amount shown: BWP 7,654.50 over 10 months).

Capital development levy / entrance levy
- A once‑off Capital Development Levy is payable on offer of a place for all new students. The Levy is equivalent to one term's fees (BWP 25,515.00) and is non‑refundable.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Payment frequency options: annual, termly or monthly by bank electronic transfer.
- Termly billing: half the next term's fees are payable by the end of the preceding term and the balance is due by the start of the term; full payment of fees must be made by the first day of each term.
- Annual billing: to receive the 5% discount the annual payment must be made on or before 31 January.
- Monthly billing: example schedule shown as 10 equal instalments (example dates in 2024–25: December to September). Exact instalment dates are set by the school.
- Overdue balances: unpaid or overdue balances attract interest at 4% per month (compounded) which is added to the due balance.
- Notice requirement: the school requires one full term's written notice when a student leaves; absence of this notice will affect fee obligations for the following term.

Boarding
- Northside operates as a day school; no boarding fee is listed because boarding is not offered.

Other costs and routine additional charges
- Uniform: branded uniform items are mandatory and must be purchased from the school's approved supplier. Individual uniform items are sold separately; sample retail prices from the approved supplier include items such as a short‑sleeve golf shirt (approx. BWP 225.00), long‑sleeve golf shirt (approx. BWP 240.00), tracksuit top (approx. BWP 280.00), fleece winter jacket (approx. BWP 290.00), sunsuit/swim costume (approx. BWP 300–345.00) and other branded accessories; parents should budget for multiple items per child.
- Co‑curricular and activity charges: co‑curricular clubs, selected teams, and holiday/term‑break programmes are run as structured activities; some activities and break programmes are charged separately and will incur additional fees. Specific activity charges are set by the school or external coaches and billed separately.
- Books, stationery, school trips, examination or external assessment fees, specialist support (where applicable) and some extra‑curricular coaches or materials are additional to tuition and are charged as required. Details and amounts vary by year group and activity.

Refund information
- The Capital Development Levy is explicitly non‑refundable. The school requires a full term's notice for withdrawal; fee liabilities for the notice period apply under the school's rules. Other specific refund terms are not listed in the published fee structure.

Fee payment options and banking details
- Accepted payment method: bank electronic transfer (the school does not accept cash or cheques).
- Example banking details provided for electronic transfer (use the child's account number as the payment reference):
- Account Name: Northside School.
- Bank: Absa Bank.
- Branch code: 290167.
- Account Number: 2750412.
- SWIFT Code: BARCBWGX.
- Parents are requested to advise the Finance Office when a bank transfer is made so payments can be correctly allocated; Finance Office contact: lphorie@northside.ac.bw (finance contact for allocations).

If you need these figures presented in another currency or formatted for an external database, convert and format them as required before publishing; the amounts above are in Botswana Pula (BWP).
Academics

Northside Primary School teaches IB (PYP) for students aged 5 to 12.

Curriculum
The Primary Years Programme (PYP) is offered as part of Northside's IB World School status. The PYP provides an inquiry-based, transdisciplinary curriculum framework for students aged 3–12. Units of inquiry are organized around six transdisciplinary themes: Who we are; Where we are in place and time; How we express ourselves; How the world works; How we organize ourselves; Sharing the planet. Knowledge content is organized by these themes, with approaches to learning and learner action. The PYP coordinator is Joanna Laverick (pyp@northside.ac.bw).
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school implements the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), which nurtures caring, active learners on a lifelong journey of learning. The Northside community is a global community, with families, students and teachers from many nationalities, fostering an international mindset. Educators regularly engage in professional development to continually improve teaching and support student learning. The school's outreach initiatives, including NPS Angels and partnerships with organizations like the Cancer Association and Bosele School, teach empathy, responsibility and collective action. Safety and wellbeing underpin the learning environment, with safeguarding and wellbeing embedded in school life. Student leadership is encouraged through structures such as Student Council, giving students opportunities to make a positive contribution to the school community.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
The school accepts pupils with mild to moderate learning needs who can work in a regular classroom with Learning Support staff. In special circumstances, the school may accept pupils with more severe learning needs. Families must meet any additional costs related to this additional support. Ongoing enrolment for students with special needs depends on the student's ability to function within the regular programme and the level of support available. The school has a Head of Student Support Services and a Learning Support team to coordinate support. Admissions policy requests relevant documents to assess needs.

Mental Wellbeing
Student wellbeing is a central focus at Northside. The safeguarding team leads a culture of safety and care by identifying concerns and providing support. Staff are trained to recognize signs of harm or neglect and to report concerns appropriately. Safeguarding policies are reviewed regularly to maintain high standards. The school fosters open communication among students, families and staff to support wellbeing. First aid training and safety procedures ensure ready support for emergencies.

Safeguarding
Safeguarding is a core priority, with a dedicated safeguarding team responsible for student safety and wellbeing. The safeguarding team identifies and responds to concerns, creating a secure and supportive environment. All staff receive safeguarding training to recognize signs of harm or neglect and to report concerns. Safeguarding policies are reviewed regularly and guidance is provided across the school community. The school works with families and external agencies to support students who need help. The school maintains a proactive, open culture to ensure every child feels safe, valued and heard.
Parent Experience

History
Northside Primary School is a private, international English-medium school re-accredited by the Council of International Schools in 2006 and recognised by the Overseas Schools' Advisory Council of the U.S. Department of State, with Botswana's Ministry of Education approving the arrangement. The school was built with British Overseas Aid in 1974 and was administered by the Botswana Government until 1977, when it became private. It does not receive recurrent funding, and has received grants from the Government of the United States of America since 1979. Founder member companies – Anglo American Corporation, Barclays Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Sun International, AoN Botswana, Murray and Roberts, Builders Merchants Botswana, and Barloworld Botswana – guaranteed the school when it became private and continue their support. Northside was accredited by the IB in 2011, began offering the Primary Years Programme, and had a successful IB evaluation in 2016, with headteachers Margaret Dixon-Warren (1974–1997), Mandy Watson (1998–2003), Mark McCarthy (2004–2017), and Jessica Richards (2018–present).

Community
The Northside Primary School community is a collaborative of teams working together to maintain high standards and a holistic learning environment. The School Council comprises representatives from the parent body and founder member/debenture companies. The Leadership Team includes the School Head, Deputy Head, Head of Student Support Services, PYP Coordinator, Head of Early Years, and Head of Student & Community Life. NPS Staff are described as a competent and diverse team, and the PTA plays an active role in school life, with community projects fostering connections beyond the classroom.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The PTA plays an active role in the life of Northside Primary School. The objectives of the association are to serve the interests of Northside Primary School. The PTA is a key component of the school's community life.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The campus is located in Extension 9, Tshekedi Crescent, Plot 2786, Gaborone. The grounds are very spacious with green areas and trees. There are six adventure play areas for different age groups. The facilities include a well-equipped ICT lab, a fully stocked library, and an auditorium with theatre, stage and lighting equipment. The campus also features an indoor gymnasium and extensive sports facilities, including grass fields for cricket, soccer, athletics and softball; a tennis and netball astro turf; a basketball court; mini soccer astro; a 25m swimming pool; four house lapas; outdoor learning spaces; a pavilion with changing rooms and a cafe serving healthy meals; a multipurpose dance studio; two music rooms; and a Student Support Services centre.

Sports Facilities
The school has grass sports fields for cricket, soccer, athletics and softball. There is a tennis and netball astro turf and a basketball court. A mini soccer astro is available for younger age groups. An indoor gymnasium supports physical education and training. The campus includes a pavilion with changing rooms and a 25m swimming pool.

Academic Facilities
The school has a well-equipped ICT lab and a fully stocked library. There is an auditorium with theatre and lighting equipment for assemblies and performances. Two music rooms support music education, and a Student Support Services centre provides learner support. Outdoor learning spaces are also available on campus.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Co-curricular activities include sports, dance, music, robotics, drama and arts, among others, and more than 30 activities are offered in the After School Programme. The After School Programme runs from 1:30pm to 4:30pm. Activities are coached by trainers and include field sports, dance, music, robotics, coding, chess and debate.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
The school follows the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). The PYP nurtures caring, active learners who participate in a lifelong journey of learning. The school is a private international English-medium school re-accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) in 2006 and approved by the Ministry of Education, Botswana.

Arts & Creative
Co-curricular activities are offered, coached by international trainers. Northside brings world-class trainers to coach students in different activities. This program operates beyond the classroom to broaden learners' creative and collaborative experiences.

Cultural & Language
The school teaches in English. It follows the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP). It is located in Gaborone, Botswana.

Social & Hobbies
A broad co-curricular program supports social development beyond formal lessons. Students participate in organized activities coached by international trainers. The program complements academic learning.

Community & Service
The school is managed by a School Council comprising parent representatives and founder members. The Leadership Team includes the School Head, Deputy Head, Head of Student Support Services, PYP Coordinator, Head of Early Years, and Head of Student & Community Life. The school emphasizes collaboration among staff, parents and the School Council.

Leadership & Professional
The Leadership Team includes the School Head, Deputy Head, Head of Student Support Services, PYP Coordinator, Head of Early Years, and Head of Student & Community Life. The School Council comprises parent representatives and founder members. A Campus Manager oversees daily operations and facilities.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Safeguarding and wellbeing are integrated into the school's policy framework. A secure and orderly space is maintained by campus staff and security teams. The school aims to create a holistic learning environment that supports learners beyond academics.
Reputation

Accreditations
CIS Accredited
ISASA Accredited
ISAB Accredited
Admissions

Admissions
1. Entry year and age eligibility. Children enter the Reception year in the year they turn 5; if they turn 5 before 1 June, they begin Reception that year; if they turn 5 after 1 June, they are admitted the following year. Readiness Assessments for Reception are held mid-year prior to the admission date, and children may be considered for entrance to Reception if they reach the age of 5 on or before the 31 May of the school year; children not considered ready may be invited to return for re‑assessment the following year. The final placement decision rests with Northside Primary School administration and reflects readiness and placement needs.

Waitlist
2. Applications and waiting lists. When a year group reaches maximum size, applications are still accepted and placed on a waiting list. In the event a vacancy arises, the next student on the waiting list will be offered a place for assessment. Waiting lists are ordered by the date of registration, and preference is normally given to children who are not currently enrolled in another school. Applications from Founder Members / Debenture Companies / the Government of the United States of America, staff and siblings have priority on waiting lists provided they meet entrance requirements. Periodically, letters are sent to parents on the waiting list to confirm they wish to remain on the list.
School Events
The school has not added events
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