Our Roots

The history of Somerset House

The school is housed in the original buildings of the farm Cloetenburg. The farmstead – one of the oldest in Somerset West – is named after Catherine Cloete who, in 1720, bought a portion of what had been Willem Adriaan van der Stel’s Vergelegen estate. The gable was added in 1785. The property changed hands (and appearance) many times. In 1948 Somerset House School was founded by Dr and Mrs Haydock and was originally situated in Station Road in Somerset West. In 1950 the school moved to its present site and the Cloetenburg homestead, formerly Oatlands Guest House, became a school.

Now a National Monument, the building Cloetenburg forms the heart of the school. It houses the dining room, kitchen, staff room, archives, Headmaster and Admission offices.

Other buildings on the farm have been carefully developed to form functional and attractive places for children and their teachers to work and play. The old wine cellar (once used as a spacious hall) now houses the Grade 7 classes, the carriage house makes a delightful Library and the original stables form an area where the younger children have access to computers, and a warm, homely base for our After Care facility.

The beautiful buildings and oak trees are a valued and important part of the ethos of Somerset House. Undoubtedly this tranquil environment fosters an appreciation of beauty within the children fortunate enough to spend their primary school years here.

Parent Handbook