About Our School
“Clifton is not just a place; it’s a feeling.” – Douglas Yorke-Smith, Old Cliftonian, Class of 2016.
Nestled amongst farmlands in the town of Nottingham Road, in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, Clifton offers children opportunities that cannot be replicated in urban schools. A co-educational day and boarding school, Clifton is an inclusive inter-denominational Christian school, boasting high academic standards complemented by a full and varied extra-mural programme.
The 40 hectare estate provides adventure, not only in the boarding houses and classrooms but also as children discover Top Woods, Clay Mines, Cliff’s Dam, Bobsleigh Hill and the Dream Tree.
Clifton holds the values of honesty, integrity and tolerance at its core. In all areas of pursuit, fair play, good manners and wholehearted effort are encouraged. The latter is highlighted in the Barefoot Brave Hearts sports philosophy.
The ideal place to grow children, Clifton Notties, as it is fondly known, is a school where children can experience nature, learn about life and grow as they prepare to move to one of the major KZN Midlands high schools. The majority of these schools require children to board.
Clifton has capacity for 305 children of which 104 can be boarders. The junior boarding offering makes Clifton unique in a market where the majority of schools only provide this service from Grade 4.
TIMELESS PRINCIPLES
by which we should all live
- There is a God
- Your life has greater purpose than just having fun
- Be honest and trustworthy
- Be well organised
- The greatest joy of your life will come as you help others
- Read books of all kinds
- The people around you have needs
- Be reliable and dependable
- Seek to be excellent in all that you do
- There are absolutes. Some things are just plain wrong
- Be hardworking and diligent
- Express appreciation for things done for you
“Prodesse Quam Conspici” – To accomplish rather than be conspicuous
To deliver a progressive holistic, Christian preparatory school education that’s always inspiring personal bests, while never compromising the sanctity of childhood.
To learn and grow daily, committed to:
1. INTENTIONAL | 2. RESPECT – Manners, Self, School, Environment, Diversity | 3. PERSEVERANCE | 4. BRAVERY | 5. WHOLE-HEARTEDNESS | 6. PLAYFULNESS | 7. UBUNTU
Clifton Notties nurtures independent, resilient, perseverant and self-disciplined boys and girls, preparing them to tackle the challenges of the world beyond our gates with confidence, creativity and self-knowledge in the spirit of Ubuntu. We remain true to our heritage and the great traditions of our past as a safe haven from the demands and pressures of the modern age.
Prodesse Quam Conspici – To accomplish rather than be conspicuous
Clifton Preparatory School is a co-educational day and boarding school in a picturesque rural setting in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. The high academic standards set through our close association with the major independent senior schools of the Midlands region are complemented by a full and varied extra-mural programme.
We promise to champion childhood with the rigour and
freedom to discover – in ways that inspire personal bests.
MISSION
To deliver a progressive holistic, Christian preparatory school education that’s always inspiring personal bests, while never compromising the sanctity of childhood.
VALUES
To learn and grow daily, committed to:
1. INTENTIONAL | 2. RESPECT – Manners, Self, School, Environment, Diversity | 3. PERSEVERANCE | 4. BRAVERY | 5. WHOLE-HEARTEDNESS | 6. PLAYFULNESS | 7. UBUNTU
VISION
Clifton Notties nurtures independent, resilient, perseverant and self-disciplined boys and girls, preparing them to tackle the challenges of the world beyond our gates with confidence, creativity and self-knowledge in the spirit of Ubuntu. We remain true to our heritage and the great traditions of our past as a safe haven from the demands and pressures of the modern age.
MOTTO
Prodesse Quam Conspici – To accomplish rather than be conspicuous
POSITION
Clifton Preparatory School is a co-educational day and boarding school in a picturesque rural setting in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. The high academic standards set through our close association with the major independent senior schools of the Midlands region are complemented by a full and varied extra-mural programme.
PROMISE
We promise to champion childhood with the rigour and freedom to discover – in ways
that inspire personal bests.
About Nottingham Road
Find out why Nottingham Road and the KZN Midlands are so special
A move to Nottingham Road is a lifestyle change. The hub of the KZN Midlands, the town is easily accessible from the N3 between Johannesburg and Durban, and is only 20 minutes from the foothills of the Drakensberg.
Originally a military fort to protect local farmers, Notties (as the locals fondly call Nottingham Road) is a popular tourist attraction in the heart of the Midlands Meander. Surrounded by trout-dams, restaurants, crafters, golf courses, upmarket spas as well as environmental and historical landmarks, there is something for everyone and plenty to do! The area is also a popular choice for weddings.
The town has retained its country feel despite the growth in real estate developments which house mainly parents of the numerous surrounding Midlands boarding schools.
Situated 2 kilometres from the village centre, on a 40 hectare estate, Clifton enjoys the safety of a small town campus, as well as the vibrancy and diversity of the Midlands community.
Visit the following sites for more details on Nottingham Road, its attractions and real estate offerings. A number of these businesses are run by families of Old Cliftonians and they would love to assist you with any questions on our school and the area.