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Grade R at SPARK Schools: Building a Strong Foundation for Lifelong Learning
Grade R is a big step—it bridges the gap between pre-primary and primary school, setting the foundation for future learning.
In September 2024, President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Bill into law. This legislation seeks to, among other things, make Grade R the new compulsory school starting grade and promote greater accountability concerning the role of parents and caregivers in ensuring children attend school consistently.
But what actually happens in Grade R? In this blog, we’ll take a peek into what school looks like for a Grade R scholar, highlighting what makes our approach different and, most importantly, how we set our scholars up for success in their school careers.
Building Strong Foundations in Literacy and Numeracy
According to Professor Hamsa Venkatakrishnan, Numeracy Chair at the University of the Witwatersrand in many countries, children start their pre-school tea, able to count to at least 20. This is often not the case for South African children. However, giving children an early start in literacy and numeracy is key to their development and sets the stage for future learning and academic success.
At SPARK Schools, we ensure our Grade R scholars build a solid foundation in both literacy and numeracy.
“Grade R at SPARK is unique compared to other Grade R classrooms across the country. Our Grade R serves as a foundational year for primary school and is set up in a way where scholars are actively engaged with the content and develops readiness to progress to Grade 1", explains SPARK Schools Achievement Manager, Lindy Du Preez. Our Grade R scholars learn essential skills such as number and letter formation, the difference between alphabetical and phonetic knowledge, reading, writing, spelling, counting, adding, and subtracting.
“It’s more than just numbers and letters. Our scholars are learning to think critically, explore languages through stories that build their vocabulary, and grow a genuine love for learning. Even small things like colouring-in help them understand the world around them. They start to know that the sun is yellow, the grass is green, and that learning can be fun,” Mrs Du Preez continues.
By making learning interactive and engaging, we help our Grade R learners develop the confidence and skills they need to thrive in Grade 1 and beyond.
An Easy Transition to Primary School
The transition from nursery school to primary school can be daunting for children. The unfamiliarity of the environment and routine can cause anxiety and frustration. Enrolling a child for Grade-R ensures a smooth transition as they become familiar with the school environment and the routine. Sithole elaborates on how SPARK Schools makes this transition seamless for Grade R.
“Our scholars get to understand that there's a time for everything and that setting goals and working towards them within a timeframe is important. Through their daily social interactions, they’re exposed to different people and perspectives, which helps build a strong sense of respect, inclusion, and acceptance of others,” Mrs Du Preez explains.
Additionally, speaking and listening are integrated skills in the curriculum, which helps to build children’s confidence and encourages them to have a voice.
They also learn to show humility and kindness by listening to their peers’ different viewpoints. Many activities are group-based, which helps them develop teamwork skills and the ability to collaborate with others. As they grow, so does their emotional intelligence—they begin to understand the value of empathy, clear communication, and working together.
Preparing Young Learners for a Digital Future
Technology plays a big role in our everyday lives, and at SPARK School, it brings learning to life.
From Grade R, our scholars dive straight into the Lab Rotation Model, which blends teacher-led lessons with fun, interactive, tech-based learning. Programmes like ST Math and Reading Eggs turn learning into an adventure, making it exciting and enjoyable for young minds.
Our scholars benefit from a mix of:
This balanced approach helps us meet each child’s unique learning needs throughout the day.
“We also keep a close eye on each Grade R scholar’s progress. Through regular assessments, we gather valuable insights to ensure they’re on track—and fully prepared to take that confident step into Grade 1,” says Lindy Du Preez.
By integrating technology into learning early on, we equip our scholars with essential skills that prepare them for the jobs of the future while keeping their learning journey enjoyable and engaging.
Nurturing Social-Emotional Skills for a Stronger Future
“While academic progress is important, a child’s ability to understand and manage their emotions is just as crucial. That’s why social-emotional skills are woven into the Grade R curriculum at SPARK Schools - helping our scholars develop self-awareness, accountability, and empathy, Mrs Du Preez explains.
Our scholars learn and live by our CORE values: Service, Persistence, Achievement, Responsibility, and Kindness. These values shape their character and interactions, setting them up for success beyond the classroom.
Grade R is not just about academic preparation - it’s a time for building confidence, resilience, and emotional intelligence. Research from the Learning Policy Institute shows that children who attend high-quality preschool programmes gain long-term academic and social benefits, reinforcing the importance of a strong early foundation.
At SPARK Schools, we believe in developing well-rounded scholars who are prepared not only for Grade 1 - we prepare them for life!
References: https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/untangling-evidence-preschool-effectiveness-report
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