Bishops Diocesan College

What Bishops Diocesan College does

Bishops Diocesan College is an independent Anglican boys' school located in Rondebosch, Cape Town, South Africa, founded in 1849 and operating for over 175 years. The school is structured into three vertically integrated divisions — Pre-Prep (Grade N-2, ages 4-7), Prep (Grade 3-7), and College (Grade 8-12) — serving approximately 1,440 students with around 110 teaching staff in the College division alone. Grade 8 entry is capped at 156 boys per year, organized into 6 sets of 26, making the school capacity-constrained on a single Rondebosch campus. The academic programme at the College level follows the Cambridge Curriculum, supplemented by IT-integrated teaching and pastoral support through a vertical Tutor System, chaplaincy, and a psychologist-run Support Unit. The school offers 19+ sporting disciplines, cultural activities (music, drama, art, societies), and the SPW (Sports Performance and Wellness) programme launched in 2020, supported by infrastructure including 9 rugby fields, 8 cricket fields with a PitchVision-equipped indoor cricket centre, 8 tennis courts, and a 33-boat rowing fleet.

The school's revenue model is tuition-led (annual recurring fees across all three divisions) supplemented by one-time placement fees of R32,700-R49,100 per new entrant, an additional R40,100 boarding deposit for international parents, and philanthropic donations via The Bishops Trust (which funds the Diocesan Scholar Bursary programme offering 25%-100% fee coverage). Distribution is direct-to-consumer through an online admissions portal (admissions.bishops.org.za), in-person campus tours, and Experience Bishops events, with the OD Union alumni network and Bishops Trust global chapters (RSA, UK, US, Canada) serving as the primary community referral and fundraising channels. The school is a member of ISASA (Independent Schools Association of Southern Africa) and is governed under the Diocesan College Rondebosch (Private) Act 7 of 1942, with a Council-led governance structure and Principal Tony Reeler currently leading the institution. Revenue, ownership details, and tuition fee schedules are not publicly disclosed.

Name

Bishops Diocesan College

Legal name

Bishops Diocesan College

Website

https://bishops.org.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1849

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Bishops Diocesan College is an independent Anglican boys' school in Rondebosch, Cape Town, founded in 1849, serving approximately 1,440 students across Pre-Prep, Prep, and College divisions on a single campus with Cambridge Curriculum and 19+ sporting disciplines.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Independent School Education

NAICS

Elementary and Secondary Schools (6111), Religious Organizations (8131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Faith-Based Early Learning Academies (EDACADAH)

Keywords

• Independent boys school
• Anglican school education
• Cambridge Curriculum schooling
• Boarding school programmes
• School sports academy

Headquarters

HQ city

Cape Town

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Infrastructure, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Academic Fees: Primary revenue stream from tuition fees charged to parents for student enrollment across Pre-preparatory, Preparatory, and College divisions. Fee structures are published on the school website with annual fee schedules and placement fees.
2. Placement Fees: Once-off non-refundable placement fees charged per new student upon acceptance of a place, varying by grade of admission (R32,700 to R49,100 for 2027). Additional refundable boarding deposit of R40,100 for families outside South Africa.
3. Bursaries and Scholarships: School provides Diocesan Scholar Bursaries (25%-100% of fees), Compassionate Bursaries, and OD Bursaries funded through The Bishops Trust. Philanthropic donations from alumni and the broader community sustain these programmes.
4. Donations and Bequests: The Bishops Trust raises funds through annual donations, the 175 Campaign, bequests, and global trust chapters (RSA, UK, US, Canada) to support bursaries, scholarships, and capital projects.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Bishops Diocesan College is an independent Anglican boys' school in Rondebosch, Cape Town, offering full educational programmes across three divisions: Pre-Prep (Grade N-2), Prep (Grade 3-7), and College (Grade 8-12). The school delivers Cambridge Curriculum-based academics combined with extensive sporting, cultural, pastoral, and spiritual development for approximately 1,440 boys from ages 4 to 18. Supporting offerings include boarding for international students, the SPW sports programme, the Bishops Trust bursary programme, the OD Union alumni network, and outreach partnerships with community organisations.

Product overview

Bishops Diocesan College is an independent Anglican boys' school consisting of three educational divisions: Pre-Prep (Grade N-2), Prep (Grade 3-7), and College (Grade 8-12), serving approximately 1440 students from 4 to 18 years old. The school offers a Cambridge Curriculum and emphasizes holistic development through academic excellence, sporting programmes (including rugby, cricket, hockey, rowing, water polo, tennis, swimming, athletics, cycling, golf, fencing, squash, soccer, shooting, sailing, basketball, climbing, and road/trail running), cultural activities, and pastoral care. Supporting services include The Bishops Trust (fundraising and bursaries), the OD Union alumni network, the Sports Performance and Wellness Programme, a Tutor System, EPIC outdoor education, Exchange Programme, and various community outreach initiatives. The school also provides boarding facilities and operates under a diversity and transformation policy with POPIA compliance.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Bishops Trust: The fundraising and development arm of Bishops Diocesan College, focused on bursaries, scholarships, and capital projects.
• OD Union

Products and services

• College (Grade 8-12) The main secondary school division offering Grades 8 through 12, serving students aged approximately 14-18 years. Features a Cambridge Curriculum, academic scholarship programmes, vertical Tutor System with groups of approximately 16 boys each, and extensive extracurricular activities including 19+ sports.
• Prep School (Grade 3-7) The preparatory school division for students in Grades 3-7, building foundational academic skills and introducing extracurricular activities in preparation for the College.
• Pre-Prep School (Grade N-2) Early childhood education division accepting boys from Grade N (4-year-olds) through Grade 2, with 3 classes of 20 boys each for Grade N and 3 classes of 24 boys for Grade R.
• Sports Performance and Wellness (SPW) Programme A holistic sports development programme launched in 2020 addressing conditioning, performance, wellness, rehab, and injury management. Develops gross motor skills at Pre-Prep level progressing to specialized high-performance conditioning at College level. Operated through a full-time biokineticist, school doctor specializing in sports medicine, and physiotherapist.
• The Bishops Trust The school's charitable trust focused on fundraising, bursaries, scholarships, and capital projects. Works to provide financial assistance for education and support transformation initiatives. Operates with global chapters in RSA, UK, US, and Canada.
• OD Union (Old Diocesan Union) The alumni association connecting past students of Diocesan College and Diocesan Preparatory/Pre-Preparatory Schools. Provides financial assistance for descendants of members and operates the ODU Connect alumni platform.
• Exchange Programme International student exchange programme allowing students to study abroad and host international students, providing global educational experience for Bishops boys.
• EPIC Programme An outdoor education and experiential learning programme integrated into the school's curriculum, designed to develop character and leadership through outdoor experiences.
• Boarding Facilities Boarding (residence) facilities for students, with an additional refundable boarding deposit of R40,100 for parents residing outside South Africa.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 25 boys awarded Western Province colours in water polo in 2013
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• RBHS, SACS, WBHS (Quadrangular Schools)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 25 February 2026Annual Quadrangular athletics meet involving Bishops, RBHS (Rondebosch Boys High), SACS (South African College School), and WBHS (Wynberg Boys High). 2026 event hosted on 25 February 2026 at RBHS.
• Ubuntu First Community DevelopmentminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBishops rugby outreach programme is a partnership with Ubuntu First Community Development running a rugby development programme in the Mfuleni Community. Bishops supports by supplying refurbished kit, specialised coaching, and arranging games against lower teams at U14 and U16 levels. Monthly visits include transport, coaching by professional coach Mike Bayly, match play, and a meal.
• Zeekoevlei Yacht ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBishops shares facilities with Zeekoevlei Yacht Club. The rowing club boathouse is located at the club, and sailing practices take place at the venue. Bishops has its own shed for equipment storage at the club and members use the club facilities.
• Western Province Rugby Football UnioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBishops participates in WP Premier League with 19 rugby sides. The school collaborates with WP Rugby on scheduling, representative teams, and the broader Western Province rugby development ecosystem.
• City Rock (Observatory)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBishops official climbing training takes place twice per week at City Rock, a world-class indoor climbing facility in Observatory, 4km from Bishops. A school shuttle transports climbers. Boys must pass a belay license test at City Rock before belaying peers.
• Bloc 11 (Paarden Eiland)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBishops has a membership arrangement with Bloc 11, an indoor bouldering climbing gym in Paarden Eiland, used twice weekly for training sessions.
• Access AdrenalinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQualified and registered outdoor adventure guides used for Saturday climbing outings. All guides are qualified and registered at the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism.
• Royal Cape Golf Club (Ottery)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBishops golf programme is played at Royal Cape Golf Club in Ottery, which serves as the home course for WP matches on Mondays and for practice on Tuesdays. Bishops is the only school that hosts at RCGC.
• Tygerberg Cricket Club (Tygerberg CC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBishops cricket has a programme with Tygerberg CC in Ravensmead, benefiting the club through an annual cricket equipment drive where Bishops assists in collecting and purchasing equipment.
• Heathfield Primary SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBishops cricket coaching sessions at Heathfield Primary using Bishops facilities and coaching expertise in the Steffan Coutts-Trotter Indoor Cricket Centre under the watch of Neil Carter, Bishops Cricket Head coach.
• RCYC Sailing AcademyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBishops sailors are members of the RCYC Sailing Academy which relies on volunteer skippers for coaching. Bishops sailors with skipper tickets are expected to assist in this community coaching programme.
• LEAP Maths and Science SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBishops swimming outreach programme: a team of Bishops boys teaches beginners from LEAP Maths and Science School how to swim on Thursday afternoons during the first term Civics programme at the College pool.
• Western Province Schools Sports AssociationscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBishops participates in WP Schools leagues across multiple sports including rugby, hockey, cricket, squash, basketball, tennis, and swimming. These leagues organize competitive fixtures and representative selection.
• Tygerberg MTB ClubminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBishops cycling team members are required to have Tygerberg MTB club membership. Team visits Tokai Forest, Contermans Kloof, Hoogekraal, and Majik Forest trails.
• SAFCOL (Tokai Forest)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBishops cyclists use SAFCOL Tokai Forest for outdoor mountain biking training. The school also runs its own cross-country Eliminator course on campus greenbelt.
• Bike Max (Claremont)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBishops cyclists do indoor road cycling training at Bike Max in Claremont.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/diocesancollege
• Facebookfacebook.com/bishopstrust
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/diocesan-college

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles23 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Bishops Diocesan College