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King Edward VII Preparatory: The Johannesburg School With a Royal Legacy

Published

2 months ago

August 5, 2025

Chiraag

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More than just a feeder school, King Edward VII Preparatory has been shaping Joburg boys for over a century, and its story is as rich as the legacy it continues to uphold.

Tucked beneath the trees of Houghton, KEPS, as it’s affectionately known, is a cornerstone of Johannesburg’s education system. For generations of families, it’s been the school where boys start becoming young men, not just in uniform but also in discipline, character, and heart.

A Woman’s Vision in 1902

The KEPS journey began in 1902, long before most Johannesburg suburbs were even named. Then called St Augustine’s, it opened its doors in a humble wood and iron structure in Doornfontein.

Unusually for a boys’ school, its roots trace back to a woman, Miss Lilian Sprigg, a pioneering educator born in Australia. By 1906, her school had become a government institution and a primary feeder to King Edward VII High School. In 1909, it relocated to the same grounds it occupies today, adopting the prestigious name it now proudly bears.

Growing With Joburg

As Johannesburg transformed into a modern city, KEPS mirrored its growth. In the early 20th century, boys were taught in church halls and even canvas tents. But by 1927, a permanent school quadrangle had been completed, laying the foundation for decades of academic and sporting excellence.

In those days, boys learned from legends like Miss K. M. Chamberlain, who spent 40 years guiding pupils through sprained ankles, school plays, and broken collarbones, often all in the same week.

Leadership Through the Ages

The Prep has seen a long line of dedicated headmasters, many of them Old Boys themselves. From Bob Green, who introduced the School Creed still recited today, to Tim Evans, who built the modern Media Centre, to Mr Foote, who brought in computer labs and design studios, each helped shape KEPS into the all-round school it is now.

In 2013, Mr Shead became Headmaster, bringing a modern touch while keeping firm to the school’s traditional values: excellence, sportsmanship, manners, and pride.

Today, KEPS continues to honour its founding mission while embracing new teaching methods, diverse classrooms, and world-class facilities like the Indoor Sports Centre.

Tradition, Teamwork and the KEPS Way

KEPS isn’t just about prepping boys for high school. It’s about preparing them for life.

From a young age, boys at KEPS learn how to lead on the sports field, express themselves in music and drama, and think critically in class. Teachers still sing with the juniors in assembly. Older boys still read the School Creed aloud. And the traditions, from the red blazers to Saturday matches, remain fiercely loved.

In 2025, KEPS continues to attract families looking for more than academics. They come for community, values, and the sense of legacy that surrounds every chalkboard, sports whistle, and school anthem.

Naughty but Nice

As one long-serving staff member put it, “The boys were naughty in 1949, and they’re still naughty now.” But that’s part of the charm. What KEPS aims to produce is not perfection but curious, kind, confident young men who carry the school’s lessons far beyond the gates.

From first aid legends like Miss Chamberlain to language teachers like Ms Gray and Mrs Viljoen, and to the boys singing “Long Live the King” in the corridors, KEPS is a living story. A school of character, built on care, discipline, and heart.

Still Standing. Still Leading.

In a city full of change, King Edward VII Preparatory School has remained proudly consistent, both in vision and values. With over a century of service and thousands of stories behind its walls, KEPS is more than a school.

It is a legacy of leadership, a community of care, and a royal chapter in Joburg’s education story.