Despatch High School

Despatch High School is a public high school in Bothasrus, Despatch, Eastern Cape, in the Nelson Mandela education district. The Department of Basic Education classifies it as a secondary school. In 2025 it had 926 learners and 35 educators, about 26.5 learners per educator. That makes it larger than the average for public high schools in Eastern Cape (703 learners). It is a quintile 5 school, meaning it serves the wealthiest 20% of communities according to the national poverty ranking. It is a fee-paying public school. Parents who cannot afford the fees can apply to the school for a full or partial exemption. As a Section 21 school, its governing body manages part of its own budget. In the 2025 matric exams, 93.5% of its 168 candidates passed (Eastern Cape average: 84.2%).

Matric (NSC) results

93.5% of the school's 168 matric candidates passed in 2025, above the Eastern Cape average of 84.2%.

Year	Wrote	Passed	Pass rate	Eastern Cape
2023	133	118	88.7%	81.5%
2024	116	106	91.4%	85.1%
2025	168	157	93.5%	84.2%

Source: Department of Basic Education, 2025 NSC School Performance Report. Pass rate = candidates who achieved the NSC ÷ candidates who wrote. It doesn't show bachelor passes, distinctions or learners who left before Grade 12.

School facts

School type	Public high school
Phase (DBE)	Secondary School
Sector	Public
Quintile	5 of 5 (what is this?)
School fees	Fee-paying
Section 21	Yes
Learners (2025)	926
Educators (2025)	35
Learners per educator	26.5 (province average 32.2)
Urban or rural	Urban
EMIS number	200100162
Exam centre number	4341031

Address and location

Street address	Amperbo Street,bothasrus,despatch,6220
Postal address	P.O. Box 8, Despatch, 6220
Suburb / area	Bothasrus
Town	Despatch
Province	Eastern Cape
Education district	Nelson Mandela
Municipality	Sundays River Valley Local Municipality
Former department	Cape Education Department(CED)

Show on map

Admissions

Applications for Grade R, Grade 1 and Grade 8 at public schools in Eastern Cape open the year before your child starts school. Contact the school for its application form and dates. Read our guide on applying for Grade 1 and Grade 8.