A bold and exciting chapter in South African education is unfolding with the official launch of Seaton House, a new independent school set to rise within the Seaton Precinct on KwaZulu-Natal’s North Coast. Construction of the school will begin in January 2026, with the official opening scheduled for 2027.
Seaton House promises to deliver an inspiring, future-ready education offering that meets the urgent needs of one of South Africa’s fastest-growing regions.
Set in Salt Rock, a coastal region experiencing exponential growth with as many as 60 new families arriving each month, Seaton House has been purposefully conceived to offer a continuous co-educational journey from Grade 000 to Grade 12.
The school will launch with Grades 000 – 4 and 8 – 10 and operate under the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) curriculum. Its mission is clear – to combine academic excellence, values-based education, and meaningful community investment within a nature-rich setting designed to support well-being and personal growth.
Speaking at an intimate media event at the Manor House in Sheffield Beach, Elwyn van den Aardweg, Seaton House Project Lead and former Headmaster of Kersney College, explained that Seaton House isn’t going to be just another school.
“We’re not just building a school – we’re nurturing a model for lasting transformation. Seaton House will shape young lives with courage, curiosity, and character. It’s about more than preparing learners for exams – it’s about preparing them for life, with all its complexity and potential,” van den Aardweg explains.
Seaton House is being developed through a unique collaboration between leaders in education and community development, including Collins Residential, REACH- SA, and Khanyisa Inanda Seminary Community Projects (KICP).
The initiative is founded on a non-profit model, which ensures all surplus is reinvested into the school and surrounding community.
In addition to its academic framework, the school will offer a wellness-focused environment with dynamic sports facilities, immersive outdoor learning spaces, and forest trails designed to bring learners closer to nature.
Murray Collins, CEO of Collins Residential, emphasised in his address to media the long-term vision behind the school. “From architecture to values, every element of Seaton House is designed with intent.
“We are investing in something much greater than infrastructure – we are investing in the future of our region, our children, and the generations that follow. This school is a tangible reflection of our belief in sustainable, human-centred development,” adds Collins.
The school’s 25-hectare campus has been designed by Phil Thornhill of TCRPV, with landscaping by Bernice Rumble of Land Art Studio, both known for their emphasis on environmentally conscious design.
The founding leadership team, which includes Judy Tate (former Head of Inanda Seminary) and Paul Tait (former Head of Weston Agricultural College), brings over 180 years of combined experience in both public and independent education. With KICP onboard as a teacher training and development partner, Seaton House is also deeply committed to growing professional capacity within the broader education sector.
Construction is set to begin in early 2026, and enrolment for the 2027 academic year will open in the coming months. As KwaZulu-Natal’s North Coast enters a new phase of growth and development, Seaton House stands poised to become an anchor of excellence, integrity, and innovation in education.
Interested families and education stakeholders are encouraged to visit www.seatonhouse.co.za or contact info@seatonhouse.co.za for further information and to register interest.
The school will also provide ongoing updates, events, and key milestones through its social media platforms.
About Seaton House:
Seaton House is a new, independent school launching on KwaZulu-Natal’s North Coast. Set to begin construction in the first quarter of 2026 and open in 2027, the school offers a continuous co- educational journey from Grade 000 to Grade 12, underpinned by the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) curriculum. Founded through a partnership between well-known educational leaders, Collins Residential, REACH-SA, and KICP, Seaton House responds to urgent educational demand in one of South Africa’s fastest-growing regions.
About Collins Residential:
The Collins Group is a multi-faceted business based in KwaZulu-Natal, with interest across Southern Africa. Driven by leading experts with a hunger for crafting only the excellent, Collins dream and conceptualise big ideas and turn them into realities. Pioneering a culture of quality with conservation at the heart of all we do, our goal is to deliver exceptional real estate opportunities and unrivalled leisure tourism destinations with further interests in numerous commercial offerings.
