The Honeybush Collective, a small Somerset West primary school offering multigrade learning, will open its doors to the public for a Spring Market and Open Day on 29 August 2026.
The Honeybush Collective came onto my radar after the school shared information about its upcoming Spring Market and Open Day. The name caught my attention because it is not one I had encountered before, so I exchanged emails with principal Fran Denton to find out more about the school and its approach to education.
Denton explained that the school’s approach is centred on what she describes as a “holistic education … in a warm, multigrade space that sets us apart from all other primary schools in our area.” The Spring Market and Open Day will give prospective families an opportunity to see what that approach looks like in practice.
The Honeybush Collective will open its doors to prospective families and the wider community on Saturday, 29 August 2026, when it hosts its Spring Market and Open Day from 09:00 to 13:00.
A different kind of classroom
The Honeybush Collective is a small, independent primary school at 111 Drama Street in Somerset West, catering for children from Grade 1 to Grade 7.
At the heart of its model is the decision to bring children of different ages together rather than separating them entirely into conventional single-grade classes. The school describes this as creating a supportive community in which children can learn at their own pace, share knowledge and grow together.
The class is limited to a maximum of 20 children, allowing for individual attention while still leaving room for friendships and group work.
Academically, the school follows the national CAPS curriculum, but combines this with creative activities, hands-on experiences, discussion-based learning and artistic expression.
The emphasis extends beyond academic work, with the school placing importance on social and emotional development, resilience, empathy and confidence. It also provides personalised guidance to learners across subjects.
Small by design
The Honeybush Collective was founded by Lindy Laros and Fran Denton. Laros brings 40 years of teaching experience, while Denton leads the school’s management, drawing on her experience in school administration and her perspective as a parent.
The school is also registered with the Western Cape Education Department.
For parents used to larger primary schools, the combination of a small class, mixed-age learning and individual guidance makes Honeybush a somewhat different option to consider.
It is also an interesting option to know about as the Helderberg continues to grow.
More families are moving into the area and established communities are expanding, while the number of school places does not necessarily grow at the same pace. Grade 1 can be a particularly significant pressure point for parents trying to find a suitable place for their children.
For families with younger children, knowing what options exist before that application process arrives can therefore be useful.
Opening the doors to the community
The Spring Market and Open Day will offer an opportunity to see the school environment and learn more about how it works, while also inviting the wider community in.
The event will include handmade and homemade crafts, food and activities, taking place at the 2nd Somerset West Scout Hall on 111 Drama Street.
For prospective parents, it is a chance to see the school and ask questions. For everyone else, there is a Spring Market to browse and another local place to discover.
I will be stopping by the Open Day myself. With my own child entering Grade R in 2027 and Grade 1 in 2028, it is useful to know what primary-school options are available in the Helderberg.
That does not necessarily mean The Honeybush Collective will be the right school for every family. But as the area grows and pressure on school places increases, knowing about the different options available locally is increasingly valuable.
The Spring Market and Open Day takes place on Saturday, 29 August from 09:00 to 13:00 at the 2nd Somerset West Scout Hall, 111 Drama Street, Somerset West.
Families wanting to find out more about The Honeybush Collective can contact the school on 073 417 6701 or info@thehoneybushcollective.co.za.
