King Edward VII School, Johannesburg

Not to be confused with King Edward's School, Birmingham.
King Edward VII School
King Edward VII School crest
Address
44 St. Patrick Road, Houghton Estate

Johannesburg
,
Gauteng
2198

South Africa
Information
School type All-boys public school
Motto Strenue
(Carry on)
Religious affiliation(s) Christianity
Established 1902
School number +27 (011) 551 5800
Headmaster David Lovatt
Grades 8–12
Gender Male
Age 14 to 18
Number of students 1,200 boys
Language English
Schedule 07:30 - 14:10 (07:30-13:15 on Wednesdays)
Campus Urban Campus
Campus type Suburban
Houses   Anderson
  Crofts
  Davis
  Grimmer
  Hill
  Hofmeyr
  Robinson
  School
Colour(s)   Red
  Green
  White
Rivals
Accreditation Gauteng Department of Education
Fees High School
R56 000 p.a. (tuition)
R63 500 p.a. (weekly boarding)
R75 000 p.a. (termly boarding)
Website www.kes.co.za

King Edward VII School (KES) is a public English medium high school for boys situated within the city of Johannesburg in South Africa's Gauteng Province, one of the historically significant Milner Schools.

The school is a public school, with an enrollment of over 1,100 boys from grades 8 to 12 (ages 13 to 18). King Edward VII Preparatory School (KEPS), which is situated adjacent to the High School and shares its grounds, caters to boys from grades R to 7.

History

In 1902, when the Boer War came to an end, there was an urgent need for schools in the Transvaal. The Milner Administration, in search of suitable buildings in which to establish temporary classrooms, found a vacant cigar factory in Johannesburg, on the corner of Gold and Kerk Streets, which was chosen as venue for "The Government High School for Boys", also known as the "Johannesburg High School for Boys". Thus was born a school which ultimately became the King Edward VII School.

It grew so rapidly that, in 1904, it was moved to Barnato Park where it was established in the mansion that originally had been designed for the mining millionaire Barney Barnato, who died at sea in 1897. At its new location, it was referenced as "Johannesburg College" but, within seven years, the premises were deemed inadequate and, in 1911, the school was moved to its present site on the Houghton ridge where new buildings had been impressively-designed and specifically constructed for the school. The time frame, within less than a year after the founding of the Union of South Africa and the death of Queen Victoria's eldest son and successor, Edward VII, led to the proposal that the institution's name be changed to honour his memory, thus establishing the appellation, King Edward VII School.

Buildings

Over a century old, the school buildings of King Edward retain their impressive appearance and are considered national monuments. These include the school hall, the back facade, the front facade, the lecture theatre and library wing, the memorial wing and the cenotaph in the main quad.

Sports

Sports that are offered in the school are:

Poaching

The school has been involved in numerous rugby poaching scandals resulting in at least two schools (SACS in Cape Town and near neighbours Parktown Boys) cancelling fixtures against the school.

Notable Old Edwardians

See also: Category:Alumni of King Edward VII School (Johannesburg)

Sportsmen