In a peaceful, mentoring atmosphere and with a strong relational network of parents, teachers and peers, our pupils receive rich, meaningful education that enables them to reach their full potential.

Christian principles of faith are introduced as part of the whole educational experience. These, together with the inspirational Ambleside teaching method, a low pupil:teacher ratio, a non-competitive approach and an holistic curriculum are what set our education apart.

Come and visit our campus to see for yourself.

The Vine School promises outstanding education, inspiring children to think, discover and grow, using the Ambleside teaching method in a Biblical Christian environment.

The purpose of this education is for children to grow in the knowledge of God, through engagement with His world and application of His Word, so as to live full, free and fruitful lives.

"A living education" is an education that nourishes the whole person—mind, heart, and soul—through rich ideas, meaningful relationships, and the formation of character. Drawing on the philosophy of British educator Charlotte Mason, Ambleside schools believe that education is not merely the transmission of information or the training of skills, but the development of a full, vibrant life.

The ethos of the school is Bible based and Christ-centred. We seek to ground our faith and actions on truth found in God's Word, the Bible. We expect our teachers to be role models whose lives testify to a relationship with the Living Word - Jesus Christ.

God's Word tells us that children are born persons, not products, and every child is created in the image of God. Therefore every child deserves an education filled with the best ideas, one that broadens the mind and enriches the soul. We believe every child is hungry to know and eager to grow and, when presented with these opportunities, will grasp them. We believe that every child is owed the respect his personhood demands.

Not every child at the school has accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. Not every child will, as this depends on the sovereign work of God's Spirit. Although we expect all children to show respect for the expressions of Christian faith they encounter at school, and we pray that they will become followers of Jesus, we are careful not to coerce them to make false professions of faith.

Parents have primary responsibility for educating their children. The role of teachers is to assist, not replace, the parents. We seek to foster a strong relationship between the school and the home so that parents and teachers help one another in the rewarding but daunting task of raising, training and instructing the children entrusted to our care.

The history of The Vine School dates back to 1988. A small group of parents, members of St James Church in Kenilworth, wanted their children to attend a school where Jesus Christ was acknowledged in every aspect of life including education. They established the John Wycliffe Christian School which began with just 7 children in the Children's Centre of the church. Today, some of those children are parents at The Vine School.

The school grew strongly but two decades later faced a crisis which almost led to its closure. In 2012 it was rebirthed as The Vine School, starting over with just 62 pupils in 5 classes. Since then we have grown again to become a fully fledged primary school from Preschool to Grade 7.

In 2025 we launched our Junior High School and in 2026 we will add our first Grade 9 class.

Although we now extend from Preschool to Junior High, we choose to remain a small school with just one class in every grade. This is to preserve our sense of family and avoid the alienating effects of a large institution.

We are founder members of Ambleside Southern African (ASA) who provide training, advice and curriculum resources to their member schools. One of our directors serves on the ASA board where the goal is to extend Ambleside education throughout Southern Africa and beyond.

The Vine School has inspired the founding of two schools with a similar ethos in Cape Town and even one in West Africa. Together with the international community of Ambleside schools we are committed to renewal in education through Charlotte Mason's life-transforming approach.

The name "The Vine School" was chosen to acknowledge the centrality of Jesus Christ, the true Vine, and to emphasise growth and vitality in education. It also marked the "pruning" which the school underwent from 2010 to 2012 when the former school declined.

However, the heritage of John Wycliffe, for whom the old school was named, remains. The great reformer was a man of courage, integrity and wisdom who lived and taught the plain truth of the Bible. He was influential in theology, politics and civil life in his generation and for centuries afterward.

Likewise, we trust that by God's grace the children at The Vine School will become men and women of character and a blessing to their families, communities and the wider world.