The High School education builds on pupils’ knowledge, leading to ‘O’ level exams based on UK standards.
Children learn the skills they will need to get a job, earn an income, and support their family.
Teaching starts broadly but, for senior pupils, specialises on subjects which help them into employment. This requires a focus on scientific knowledge which is lacking in many local schools.
Pupils share what they learn with the wider community, for example teaching their family better health habits and crop management.
The self-confidence they develop at school empowers them to make better life choices, for example reducing the number of teenage girls who
get pregnant.
Only a minority of boys and girls in Uganda benefit from a secondary education. For those who do, the impact on their lives and
their contribution to the community is dramatic.
Secondary school classroom
What hit me hardest was finding that many of Loyce’s brothers and sisters did not have the opportunity to go to school,
as it dawned on me the harsh reality that many parents in Uganda face; choosing which child will have a formal education…
Ella Lane, visiting student from Highgate School
I was surprised to find that the students at Great Lakes High School
are learning science topics to the same level as in the UK.
Visiting ”A” level student from Highgate School
News from the High School
Karen and Mark visited in 2025 as one of our regular trustee inspections to see Great Stewards High School on its new site to make sure that children
are getting the usual high standard of care and education.
All visits are self-funded (and none of your donations are spent on UK staff, marketing or admin) so that 100% of your
sponsorship and donations are spent in Uganda on improving the children's lives.
Here is the latest news:
Visit Report
School play: Drunken father
It was great to visit the high school where Allyson and his team teach 254 pupils up to 'O' level. The school functions well
with a full complement of specialist teachers and well-equipped science laboratories. Although class sizes are larger than ideal,
due to the school's strong reputation and high demand, the learning environment remains effective.
In this region, where evidence-based knowledge can be scarce, delivering high-quality science education through hands-on practical lessons is crucial.
Karen and Mark both taught lessons and were pleased to find the pupils were engaged and responsive. They asked challenging science questions which
demonstrated a good level of education and their self-confidence (unlike schools we have visited where children are very passive).
We attended sports day where pupils in Highgate and Felsted Houses competed by each presenting a play, a traditional folk dance and
modern dance followed by athletics races and girls' & boys' football matches. Impressive and good fun!
April 2025
Fundraising News
The Stocks’s House Family!
Maya, Lola, and Lula from Felsted School will be running the Hampton Court half marathon in March to raise funds for Teach Uganda,
a charity very close to all of their hearts. Their goal is to help provide quality education to children in Uganda
who are in desperate need of resources and support.
Click here to sponsor their marathon journey to encourage
their hard work and dedication and also contribute to the bright futures of children who deserve access to learning
and opportunity. Every donation would be greatly appreciated - join them to support Teach Uganda and transform lives!
March 2025
'O' Level Results
Leavers' party
The Senior 4 year held a party to celebrate finishing their 'O' Level Exams, which are so important to their future.
The results were excellent with all qualifying to get their certificates after passing in Result 1 (with none in Result 2, 3 or 4).
Of the 27 students, 2 achieved grade A, 20 grade B, 5 grade C and none in grade D or E. Well done to the girls and boys
of the High School.
They do achieve far better results than their peers in local schools after enjoying several years of high-quality teaching and resources.
March 2025
Fire Safety
Training Fire Wardens
All areas of the school have had safety upgrades, including smoke detectors and fire extinguishers.
The video shows their fire awareness initiative, helped by the Uganda Police Fire Department, with staff and pupils being trained as
fire wardens so they are able to respond safely in case of fire.
Several schools in Africa have suffered loss of life from fires and we are pleased that positive action is being
taken by all staff.
October 2024
Science practicals
Working in the lab
The High School follows the British 'A Level' syllabus. Their science programme gives pupils a level of understanding of the world which
goes far beyond the education they would get at other local schools.
As well as giving them the best chance of getting good employment,
it will enable them, as young adults, to make a real contribution to developing the wider community.
Providing equipment and reagents for the science laboratories is expensive but such good value.
July 2024
Cleaning the school grounds
Clearing plastic from the school
Pupils showed their pride in the new site by creating a working party to clear plastic rubbish from their grounds.
It is great that young people learn to love their environment because there is no rubbish collection in rural Uganda and some
people discard plastic carelessly. Hopefully their parents will follow their example.
February 2024
School opens at new site
Opening on the new site
The high school has opened at a new site near Kihihi town. We are lucky to be able to take over an existing
school which dwindled during covid closures.
The school is an ideal site although some refurbishment is required. It has good-sized classrooms, a hall, a library
and a small playing field.
The school is walking distance for the local community, so parents are confident that their children are can travel safely.
We will therefore focus on day pupils rather than boarders.
There is a great need for a school here as the nearest secondary school is 8kms away. We already have 115 246 pupils
on the roll so are close to capacity at 250.
November 2023
Science teaching
Science equipment
The high school at its new site already has a well-equipped science lab which will help us continue our ethos
of teaching science subjects which are so important in young people getting jobs and changing the economy of
their region.
It is much nearer to the town so mains water and electricity is available. This makes science teaching much easier
(as well as cooking and cleaning!)
It may be possible to equip a new computer lab with an internet connection if a donor can help.
November 2023
Life stories
Duncan Muhereza
Duncan, a former pupil at Great Lakes High School, has published a book «Making Right Choices».
He was one of the first pupils, joining the school in 2008 when it only offered “O” levels, so he completed his schooling
at San Gionvanni Secondary School and then graduated in environmental science at Makerere University.
He lives with his aunt and financially supports his brother (having to sell his motorcycle to pay towards his brother’s education).
He is setting up a local project to support unemployed young people to set up enterprises.
Sponsors and Donors
A big thank you!
All this has been made possible by the generosity of the sponsors, who pay for the monthly running
costs, and donors, who pay for the individual small and large projects which create this wonderful school.
Thank you to everybody who has contributed, including:
Highgate School, London
Hull Collegiate School, Hull
Felsted School, Essex
Rotary club of Holderness
Rotary club of Hull
And many individual sponsors & donors
Current needs
If you are able to make a donation, we will use it to meet some of the most urgent needs, including:
Hardship fund: extra financial support for the 40 children at the school who have lost both parents and
have no extended family able to support them.
Renovation: funds are needed to improve the current infrastructure so it can be used most effectively
Internet: we need a donor who could fund some computer equipment and/or make regular payments for an internet connection
If you or your organisation could help, please do get in touch:
Our main funding comes from sponsors who pay £15 each month per pupil.
120 children currently have no sponsor.
The families also make a contribution. There is a “hardship fund” for 40 children, mostly orphans,
who pay no fees.
For just £15 per month, you can ensure a child gains an education.
We will send you regular newsletters and, once a year, a letter from your sponsored child with their photo…so
you can see what a difference you are making.
100% of your sponsorship & donations go to the schools, none of it is spent on UK marketing or admin.
