Upper Gwadu Senior Secondary School

Upper Gwadu Senior Secondary School is a public high school in Willowvale, Eastern Cape, in the Amathole East education district. The Department of Basic Education classifies it as a secondary school. In 2025 it had 251 learners and 10 educators, about 25.1 learners per educator. That makes it smaller than the average for public high schools in Eastern Cape (703 learners). It is a quintile 2 school, meaning it serves the second-poorest 20% of communities according to the national poverty ranking. It is a no-fee school, so parents do not pay school fees. As a Section 21 school, its governing body manages part of its own budget. In the 2025 matric exams, 95.2% of its 42 candidates passed (Eastern Cape average: 84.2%).

Matric (NSC) results

95.2% of the school's 42 matric candidates passed in 2025, above the Eastern Cape average of 84.2%.

Year	Wrote	Passed	Pass rate	Eastern Cape
2023	34	34	100.0%	81.5%
2024	27	27	100.0%	85.1%
2025	42	40	95.2%	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	2 of 5 (what is this?)
School fees	No-fee school
Section 21	Yes
Learners (2025)	251
Educators (2025)	10
Learners per educator	25.1 (province average 32.2)
Urban or rural	Rural
EMIS number	200300627
Exam centre number	4301076

Address and location

Street address	Upper Gwadu Location,willowvale,willowvale,5040
Postal address	P.O. Box 248, Willowvale, Willowvale, 5040
Town	Willowvale
Province	Eastern Cape
Education district	Amathole East
Municipality	Mbhashe Local Municipality
Former department	New Education Department

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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.