Overview
St Bartholomew's Senior Secondary School is a public secondary school (Grades 8–12) located in Qumbu, Eastern Cape, South Africa. It currently enrols 350 learners and is staffed by 12 educators (a learner-to-educator ratio of approximately 29:1), and is officially classified as a no-fee school under Q2. It falls within the Or Tambo Inland education district and achieved a strong 2025 NSC matric pass rate of 82.0% (50 of 61 candidates).
St Bartholomew's Senior Secondary School Matric Performance
St Bartholomew's Senior Secondary School's NSC pass rate has improved over the past 3 years, from 69.4% in 2023 to 82.0% in 2025 (61 candidates writing in 2025).
| Year | Wrote | Achieved | Pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 61 | 50 | 82.0% |
| 2024 | 53 | 47 | 88.7% |
| 2023 | 62 | 43 | 69.4% |
Source: 2025 NSC School Performance Report (DBE). Centre: St Bartholomews S S S (4291072).
Subject pass rates
St Bartholomew's Senior Secondary School offered 8 subjects at NSC level in 2025, achieving an overall subject pass rate of 85.1%. Geography performed strongest at 100.0%, while Life Sciences was the weakest at 65.4%. 1 subject recorded a 100% pass rate (Geography).
| Subject | Wrote | Achieved | 2025 pass rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathematics | 13 | 11 |
84.6%
|
| Mathematical Literacy | 48 | 46 |
95.8%
|
| Physical Sciences | 13 | 11 |
84.6%
|
| Life Sciences | 52 | 34 |
65.4%
|
| English (FAL) | 61 | 60 |
98.4%
|
| Geography | 2 | 2 |
100.0%
|
| History | 48 | 39 |
81.3%
|
| Agricultural Sciences | 44 | 36 |
81.8%
|
Benchmark against nearby schools
Compared with 12 other secondary schools in Qumbu.
St Bartholomew's Senior Secondary School's 2025 pass rate is 8.9 percentage points above the average for comparable schools in the area.
School fees
St Bartholomew's 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 St Bartholomew's Senior Secondary School for 2027?
St Bartholomew's Senior Secondary School is a no-fee public secondary school (Grades 8–12) in Qumbu, Eastern Cape, so parents pay no tuition fees for 2027. All 350 enrolled learners attend at no charge. Budget instead for uniforms, stationery, transport and excursions. For voluntary contributions or admission fees, phone 071 300 6341.
Is St Bartholomew's Senior Secondary School a no-fee school?
St Bartholomew's Senior Secondary School is classified no-fee under Q2 and forms part of the state-funded schools serving Qumbu, Eastern Cape. Parents pay no tuition fees.
What is the quintile of St Bartholomew's Senior Secondary School and what does it mean for fees?
Classified as Q2 by the Department of Basic Education, St Bartholomew's Senior Secondary School falls within the no-fee category, meaning the 350 learners attending here in Qumbu, Eastern Cape pay no school fees.
How to apply
St Bartholomew's Senior Secondary School accepts applications directly at the St Bartholomew's Senior Secondary School school office in the Or Tambo Inland education district. The steps and documents required for Grade 8 (and other grade transfers) are detailed below.
-
1
Confirm availability with St Bartholomew's Senior Secondary School
Call 071 300 6341 to confirm whether St Bartholomew's Senior Secondary School has open places for the year you're applying.
-
2
Start the application
Collect the official application form from Mdeni A/A,Qumbu,5180 or download it from the Eastern Cape Department of Education website.
-
3
Submit your documents
Submit the completed form and certified copies of all supporting documents to St Bartholomew's Senior Secondary School during the school's published admission window.
-
4
Pay any required deposits or fees
St Bartholomew's Senior Secondary School is a no-fee school (Q2), so no tuition is payable. Budget for uniforms and stationery.
-
5
Confirm placement and enrol
Wait for confirmation from St Bartholomew's Senior Secondary School. If declined, you may appeal at the Or Tambo Inland 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 St Bartholomew's Senior Secondary School for the next school year?
St Bartholomew's 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 071 300 6341 to confirm openings in the Or Tambo Inland district.
What documents do I need to apply at St Bartholomew's Senior Secondary School?
When applying to St Bartholomew's 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 St Bartholomew's Senior Secondary School depending on the grade; confirm via phone 071 300 6341.