Overview
Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School is a public secondary school (Grades 8–12) located in Ginsberg, King Williams Town, Eastern Cape, South Africa. It currently enrols 847 learners and is staffed by 25 educators (a learner-to-educator ratio of approximately 34:1), and is officially classified as a no-fee school under Q3. It falls within the Buffalo City education district and achieved a moderate 2025 NSC matric pass rate of 60.4% (96 of 159 candidates).
Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School Matric Performance
Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School's NSC pass rate has declined over the past 3 years, from 75.0% in 2023 to 60.4% in 2025 (159 candidates writing in 2025).
| Year | Wrote | Achieved | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 159 | 96 | 60.4% |
| 2024 | 81 | 65 | 80.2% |
| 2023 | 104 | 78 | 75.0% |
Source: 2025 NSC School Performance Report (DBE). Centre: Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School (4321025).
Subject pass rates
Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School offered 10 subjects at NSC level in 2025, achieving an overall subject pass rate of 70.4%. English (FAL) performed strongest at 98.1%, while Mathematics was the weakest at 26.8%. 4 subjects fell below a 60% pass rate.
| Subject | Wrote | Achieved | 2025 pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 41 | 11 |
26.8%
|
| Mathematical Literacy | 118 | 78 |
66.1%
|
| Physical Sciences | 27 | 16 |
59.3%
|
| Life Sciences | 86 | 39 |
45.3%
|
| English (FAL) | 159 | 156 |
98.1%
|
| Business Studies | 54 | 49 |
90.7%
|
| Economics | 60 | 23 |
38.3%
|
| Geography | 100 | 72 |
72.0%
|
| History | 99 | 78 |
78.8%
|
| Agricultural Sciences | 9 | 8 |
88.9%
|
Benchmark against nearby schools
Compared with 45 other secondary schools in King Williams Town.
Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School's 2025 pass rate is 20.7 percentage points below the average for comparable schools in the area.
School fees
Forbes Grant Senior 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 Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School for 2027?
Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School is a no-fee public secondary school (Grades 8–12) in Ginsberg, King Williams Town, Eastern Cape, so parents pay no tuition fees for 2027. All 847 enrolled learners attend at no charge. Budget instead for uniforms, stationery, transport and excursions. For voluntary contributions or admission fees, phone 043 302 0998.
Is Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School a no-fee school?
Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School is classified no-fee under Q3 and forms part of the state-funded schools serving Ginsberg, King Williams Town, Eastern Cape. Parents pay no tuition fees.
What is the quintile of Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School and what does it mean for fees?
As a Q3 public secondary school (Grades 8–12) in the Buffalo City district, Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School is funded entirely by the state under the no-fee policy applied to Quintiles 1 through 3.
How to apply
Applications to Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School for Grade 8 (and other grade transfers) are submitted directly at the Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School school office in the Buffalo City education district. Below is the step-by-step process specific to Eastern Cape.
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1
Confirm availability with Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School
Call 043 302 0998 to confirm whether Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School has open places for the year you're applying.
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2
Start the application
Collect the official application form from 2460 Wodehouse Street,Ginsberg,King Williams Town,5601 or download it from the Eastern Cape Department of Education website.
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3
Submit your documents
Submit the completed form and certified copies of all supporting documents to Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School during the school's published admission window.
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4
Pay any required deposits or fees
Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School is a no-fee school (Q3), so no tuition is payable. Budget for uniforms and stationery.
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5
Confirm placement and enrol
Wait for confirmation from Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School. If declined, you may appeal at the Buffalo City district office under the Eastern Cape Department of Education.
- 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 Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School for the next school year?
Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School processes applications at the school office. In the Eastern Cape, applications are made directly at the school office and confirmed by the district. Reach the school directly via phone 043 302 0998 to confirm openings in the Buffalo City district.
What documents do I need to apply at Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School?
When applying to Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School, you'll typically need: • 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) Additional items may be requested by Forbes Grant Senior Secondary School depending on the grade; confirm via phone 043 302 0998.