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Thornhill Primary School

Botswana, Gaborone

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The school at a glance
Fees BWP 75,600
Ages Not listed
Type Co-educational
Opened 1965
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum British Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum
Taught languages French, Swahili
Strengths Outdoor Education, Languages, Academic Enrichment
Clubs Arts and Creative, Cultural and Language, Leadership and Professional
Stages Early Years, Primary School
Introduction

Thornhill Primary School is a co-educational day school in Gaborone offering a Cambridge-based international primary curriculum for Reception to Standard 7. The curriculum integrates the Cambridge International Primary Programme with input from the UK National Curriculum, and Thornhill holds Cambridge International Centre status. Core subjects include English Language and Literacy, Maths, Science, Geography, History, ICT, Library and Physical Education, with Problem Solving woven across the programme. The Arts are taught as Art and Design and Music, and languages offered are French and Setswana. Life Skills include Outdoor Education and Thornhill Life Skills. Established on the current site in 1965, Thornhill fosters a nurturing, inclusive environment that emphasises individuality, positive self-image and respect for others. Led by Headteacher Ivor Greaves, staff prioritise clear communication and supportive relationships with families. Facilities include 30 classrooms, a science room, language rooms, four music rooms, two pools, three tennis/basketball/netball courts and a well-equipped library and ICT suite.

PO Box 163, Gaborone, Botswana

The Essentials

Location
The Thornhill Primary School is in Gaborone, Botswana. The mailing address is PO Box 163, Gaborone. The school can be contacted at +267 395 2490 and adminsec@thornhillprimary.ac.bw.

Stages
Reception to Standard 7.

Type
primary day school.

Additional learning support
Inclusive education supports a wide range of abilities.

Country affiliation
Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) with input from the UK National Curriculum.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
The school is a primary day school.

Uniform Requirement
The Uniform Shop stocks all the necessary school attire as well as book bags and satchels. The Uniform Shop is located on the school campus and is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 12:00 to 15:00. A Daily Uniform Planner PDF and a Uniform PDF are available for download.

Governance and Ownership
The daily running of the school is in the hands of the Head Teacher, who is assisted by a Deputy Head Teacher, an Assistant Deputy Head Teacher, and a Financial Controller. The Head Teacher is answerable to the School Council, which comprises representatives from the major stakeholders of the school. An Annual General Meeting of the School Council is held in the 1st term.
Fees

Annual tuition at Thornhill Primary School ranges from BWP 75,600 for 2026/27.

Tuition (2025 fee schedule)
- Term fee: Pula 25,200.00 per term (three terms per year).
- Annual total: Pula 75,600.00.
- Monthly instalment option (example schedule shown): Pula 6,300.00 per month (October 2024 – September 2025 example).

Application, enrolment and deposits
- Application Fee: Pula 500.00 (payable at time of application).
- Enrolment Fee (new students only): Pula 8,000.00 (non‑refundable; payable immediately to secure an offered place).
- Term deposits to secure placement (illustrated schedule): Pula 3,500.00 deposit per term, with specific deposit and balance dates set for each term.

Tuition by term / by year group
- All fee amounts above refer to standard tuition charged per pupil; the published fee schedule lists a flat term figure (P25,200.00) rather than separate per‑year group tuition levels. Parents should use the term and annual figures above for budgeting.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Standard billing: fees are payable per term, in advance; the balance of fees must be settled in full by the first day of each term unless a monthly payment option has been requested.
- Deposit schedule (example dates): Term 1 deposit due before 07 December 2024 with balance due before 21 January 2025; Term 2 deposit before 11 April 2025 with balance before 13 May 2025; Term 3 deposit before 08 August 2025 with balance before 09 September 2025.
- Monthly payments: available with no additional charge; monthly instalments are due by the last working day of each month. Example monthly breakdown is shown as P6,300.00 per month across the year in the published schedule.
- Late payments and penalties: penalties are imposed on unpaid balances after the first day of each term; subsequent penalties are levied on the 1st of each month until the balance is cleared. Persistent late payment may attract further penalties. School reports will not be released for accounts in arrears.
- Returned cheques: any cheque returned unpaid will attract an administration fee. Post‑dated cheques are not accepted for current term fees.
- Notice of withdrawal: one full term's written notice is required before withdrawal; if correct notice is not given, one full term's fee will be charged.

Boarding fees
- Boarding: Not applicable. Thornhill Primary operates as a primary day school and does not publish boarding charges.

Other costs and typical additional charges
- Uniforms: a Uniform Shop operates on campus; uniform items are charged separately through the school's Uniform Shop. Parents should budget for uniform purchases in addition to tuition.
- Extra items and activities: incidental costs such as school trips, extracurricular activities, specialist materials or examination fees may apply in addition to tuition; these are handled as separate charges when applicable.
- Returned‑cheque administration fees and penalties for late payment are additional charges as noted above.

Refunds and refund policy
- Enrolment fees and deposits for new students are non‑refundable. The published policy states that, when a place is offered and a deposit/enrolment fee is paid to secure that place, refunds will not be considered.
- Withdrawal without the required one‑term written notice will result in a charge of one full term's fees.

Fee payment options
- Accepted methods: bank transfer (EFT), cash or cheque. Credit and debit card payments are not accepted.
- Monthly instalment plan: available with payments due by the last working day of each month; parents may request the monthly option and must meet the monthly due dates.

Administrative notes (payment enforcement)
- A deposit is required before the close of each term to secure the pupil's place for the following term. Balances must be cleared before admission to class in the new term if a place is offered after term start. The school reserves the right to apply penalties and withhold reports for unpaid accounts.
Academics

Thornhill Primary School teaches British Curriculum, Bespoke Curriculum.

Curriculum
The curriculum includes Core Subjects: English Language and Literacy; Geography; History; ICT; Library; Maths; Physical Education; Science; Problem Solving. Arts: Art and Design; Music. Languages: French; Setswana. Life Skills: Outdoor Education; Thornhill Life Skills. The curriculum also includes the Cambridge International Primary Programme as part of Thornhill's curriculum, with Thornhill awarded International Centre status by Cambridge International Examinations (CIE).
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
Life Skills is an integral part of the Thornhill syllabus. A formal Thornhill Life Skills Programme is introduced from Standard 3. Life Skills includes the development of personal, social, spiritual and emotional growth, empowering children with the knowledge, skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy and independent lives in the community. It aims to help the children understand how they are developing personally and socially, tackling many of the moral, social and cultural issues that are part of growing up. Life Skills equips the children with the knowledge, understanding and skills to play an active part in society as informed and critical citizens who are socially and morally responsible, with aims including developing confidence and responsibility, citizenship, good relationships, a healthy and safe lifestyle, and critical thinking.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The school teaches English Language and Literacy as a core subject. French and Setswana are taught as languages.

Mental Wellbeing
Mental wellbeing is supported through Life Skills, which promotes personal, social and emotional growth and empowers pupils to lead confident, healthy and independent lives. It values self-worth and respect for others and celebrates diversity.
Parent Experience

History
Established on our current site since 1965. Thornhill Primary is a nurturing family school serving children from Reception to Standard 7 in a caring and happy environment so that each child can fully develop his or her full potential. The school provides a holistic educational programme with a focus on individuality, the development of a positive self-image and respect for others. The teaching staff are growth orientated and caring, and there is a strong emphasis on inclusive education and clear communication within the school community. The Headteacher is Ivor Greaves.

Community
The school has a strong academic track record, sporting successes, cultural enrichment and musical prowess. Botswana Day celebrations feature Setswana culture and traditional games. Thornhill publishes E-News newsletters with updates on events and activities and posts information about school life.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The PTA is active in Thornhill Primary School life, organizing fundraising and social events. The PTA Sponsored Walk is an annual fundraising event; in 2023 it raised P314,868.90. PTA News in Thornhill's newsletters describe events such as Bowls, golf days and other community activities. The PTA has hosted events such as Bring and Braai Movie Evening. PTA meetings elect an executive committee, with leadership roles appointed. The PTA's contributions and fundraising support ongoing school projects and strengthen community.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The school has been growing since its move from the Village area of Gaborone in the 1960s. The classrooms are surrounded by quiet open areas where the children can also work outside. The facilities include 30 classrooms, 1 science practical room, 2 Setswana rooms, 2 French rooms, 4 music rooms, 2 school halls, 4 learning support rooms, 1 library, 1 uniform shop and 1 administration block. The campus has 2 ICT suites and an Audio Visual Room with full internet access, with wireless and fibre networks throughout the school. There are 4 playgrounds for different age groups, 2 swimming pools (1 small, 1 25m), 3 tennis courts/basketball/netball courts and a school field with an all weather cricket wicket.

Sports Facilities
There are two swimming pools: one small and one 25m. There are three courts for tennis, basketball and netball. There are four playgrounds for different age groups. There is a school field with an all weather cricket wicket.

Academic Facilities
A Science Practical Room is available. There are two Setswana rooms. There are two French rooms. There are four Music Rooms. Two ICT Suites and an Audio Visual Room provide full internet access. Wireless and fibre networks run throughout the school, and there is a library and four Learning Support Rooms.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Chess matches vs Legae are part of Thornhill's extracurricular activities. The Marimba Band participates in school events. Outdoor Education is included in Life Skills within the curriculum. Std 1 Airport Visit was featured in Thornhill's news.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Cambridge International Primary Programme is the Thornhill curriculum, with input from the UK National Curriculum and other countries including Botswana, South Africa and New Zealand. The school has Cambridge International Centre status, confirming its international curriculum orientation. Core subjects include English Language and Literacy, Geography, History, ICT, Library, Maths, Physical Education and Science, with Problem Solving integrated across the curriculum. The programme aims to provide opportunities to learn and achieve while promoting spiritual, moral, social and cultural development and preparing pupils for life in the 21st century. Problem Solving is an integral part of the Thornhill syllabus.

Arts & Creative
Arts are taught as Art and Design and Music within the curriculum. The school's Arts offering includes Art and Design and Music as part of core subjects. The Senior Marimba Band is an active extra-curricular, with a captain and a vice-captain. Thornhill hosts the annual Thornhill Marimba Festival, inviting multiple schools to participate.

Cultural & Language
Languages offered are French and Setswana. Std 2 Cultural Village provides hands-on cultural learning experiences, such as visiting Bahurutshe Cultural Village to learn about traditional life. The school also emphasizes cultural learning through projects and events across year groups.

Social & Hobbies
Chess is a regular co-curricular activity with a school chess team that competes in fixtures and tournaments. The chess programme has fixtures against other schools and ongoing participation in term fixtures. Cricket, tennis and netball are also active school sports, with inter-house and inter-school matches. The school's news highlights show ongoing chess fixtures, marimba performances and other student activities.

Community & Service
Std 7 students run fundraising and awareness activities for community causes, including a donation to VulPro (Vulture Programme) to support conservation efforts. The school regularly organises charity activities and fundraisers, such as cake sales for Princess Marina Hospital, and coordinates guest speakers and service projects.

Leadership & Professional
Std 7 pupils participate in leadership development, including leadership skills sessions with external presenters. House Captains are announced and serve in leadership roles within their houses, reflecting a culture of student leadership. Leadership-focused activities and talks have been a recurring feature in Thornhill newsletters and assemblies.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Life Skills is an integral part of the Thornhill syllabus, focusing on personal, social, spiritual and emotional growth, citizenship, healthy lifestyles and critical thinking. Outdoor Education is a formal, multi-year programme with progressively higher leadership and independence elements, including overnight camps and team-building activities.
Languages

Language Provision
English is taught as a core subject (English Language and Literacy). French is offered as a language subject. Setswana is offered as a language subject.

Bilingual Teaching
The school teaches English as a core subject and offers French and Setswana as language subjects.
Admissions

Admissions
The school has online applications. To start, follow the Thornhill Online Application. During the online application, copies of the child's birth certificate, vaccination certificate and previous school reports (if applicable) must be uploaded. For additional information, contact The Head Teacher, Thornhill Primary School, PO Box 163, Gaborone, Botswana. Tel: +267 3952490; Fax: +267 3905871; Email: adminsec@thornhillprimary.ac.bw.
School Events
The school has not added events
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