Overview
Sinethemba Secondary School is a public secondary school (Grades 8–12) located in Philippi, City of Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. It currently enrols 1,643 learners and is staffed by 49 educators (a learner-to-educator ratio of approximately 34:1), and is officially classified as a no-fee school under Q2. It falls within the Metro South education district and achieved a strong 2025 NSC matric pass rate of 83.7% (246 of 294 candidates).
Sinethemba Secondary School Matric Performance
Since 2023, Sinethemba Secondary School has improved, moving from a 74.8% pass rate to 83.7% in 2025, the most recent year, 294 learners sat the exam.
| Year | Wrote | Achieved | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 294 | 246 | 83.7% |
| 2024 | 290 | 227 | 78.3% |
| 2023 | 302 | 226 | 74.8% |
Source: 2025 NSC School Performance Report (DBE). Centre: SINETHEMBA SEC. (1006626).
Subject pass rates
Sinethemba Secondary School offered 10 subjects at NSC level in 2025, achieving an overall subject pass rate of 85.4%. English (FAL) performed strongest at 100.0%, while Physical Sciences was the weakest at 56.1%. 1 subject recorded a 100% pass rate (English (FAL)). 1 subject fell below a 60% pass rate (Physical Sciences).
| Subject | Wrote | Achieved | 2025 pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 45 | 31 |
68.9%
|
| Mathematical Literacy | 253 | 206 |
81.4%
|
| Physical Sciences | 41 | 23 |
56.1%
|
| Life Sciences | 130 | 100 |
76.9%
|
| English (FAL) | 298 | 298 |
100.0%
|
| Accounting | 24 | 19 |
79.2%
|
| Business Studies | 112 | 92 |
82.1%
|
| Economics | 31 | 27 |
87.1%
|
| Geography | 81 | 68 |
84.0%
|
| History | 82 | 73 |
89.0%
|
Benchmark against nearby schools
Compared with 7 other secondary schools in Philippi.
Sinethemba Secondary School's 2025 pass rate is 1.1 percentage points below the average for comparable schools in the area.
School fees
Sinethemba Secondary School charges no tuition fees. Plan instead for uniforms, stationery, transport and outings.
Public secondary school (Grades 8–12); fees regulated by the SA Schools Act.
Fee questions
How much are school fees at Sinethemba Secondary School for 2027?
Tuition at Sinethemba Secondary School for the 2027 academic year is R0; the school is officially classified as no-fee (Q2) by the Department of Basic Education in the Metro South district. Parents may still need to cover uniform and stationery costs; phone 021 285 0693 for specifics.
Is Sinethemba Secondary School a no-fee school?
Yes, Sinethemba Secondary School is officially a no-fee school (Q2), recognised as such by the Department of Basic Education in the Metro South district. No tuition is charged to any of its 1,643 learners.
What is the quintile of Sinethemba Secondary School and what does it mean for fees?
Classified as Q2 by the Department of Basic Education, Sinethemba Secondary School falls within the no-fee category, meaning the 1,643 learners attending here in Philippi, Browns Farms, Western Cape pay no school fees.
How to apply
Sinethemba Secondary School accepts applications via the WCED Online Admissions online system, with confirmation handled by Sinethemba Secondary School in the Metro South education district. The steps and documents required for Grade 8 (and other grade transfers) are detailed below.
-
1
Confirm availability with Sinethemba Secondary School
Call 021 285 0693 to confirm whether Sinethemba Secondary School has open places for the year you're applying.
-
2
Start the application
Register on the WCED Online Admissions portal when applications open and select Sinethemba Secondary School as a preferred school.
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3
Submit your documents
Upload all required documents to the WCED Online Admissions portal before the published cut-off and keep your reference number.
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4
Pay any required deposits or fees
Sinethemba Secondary School is a no-fee school (Q2), so no tuition is payable. Budget for uniforms and stationery.
-
5
Confirm placement and enrol
Check your WCED Online Admissions dashboard for the placement outcome. If accepted, complete on-site registration at Sinethemba Secondary School.
- Certified copy of the learner's birth certificate or ID
- Certified copies of both parents'/guardians' South African IDs (or passport/permit for non-citizens)
- Proof of residence (utility bill not older than 3 months)
- Latest school report
- Immunisation card / clinic card (especially for Grade R / Grade 1)
- Most recent end-of-year report from the previous school
- Transfer letter from the previous school (for Grade 8+ transfers)
Admissions questions
How do I apply to Sinethemba Secondary School for the next school year?
To apply to Sinethemba Secondary School for the next academic year, register on the WCED Online Admissions portal during the official admission window and select Sinethemba Secondary School as a preferred school. WCED Online Admissions for Grade 1 and Grade 8 typically opens in March/April of the preceding year. For confirmation of available places, contact Sinethemba Secondary School via phone 021 285 0693.
What documents do I need to apply at Sinethemba Secondary School?
Sinethemba Secondary School requires the following documents for admission: • Certified copy of the learner's birth certificate or ID • Certified copies of both parents'/guardians' South African IDs (or passport/permit for non-citizens) • Proof of residence (utility bill not older than 3 months) • Latest school report • Immunisation card / clinic card (especially for Grade R / Grade 1) Contact Sinethemba Secondary School (phone 021 285 0693) for any school-specific requirements and to verify what must be uploaded to the WCED Online Admissions.