Spark Schools strengthens teaching and leadership with launch of Khanya Centre of Excellence in Rivonia

Spark Schools is putting educators at the centre of its next chapter with the launch of Khanya, a new Centre of Excellence designed to develop master facilitators and strengthen classroom support.

Based at Spark Rivonia, the initiative represents an investment in the educators and school leaders who shape classroom experiences every day.

According to Spark Schools chief executive officer Earl Sampson, at a time when schools globally are navigating teacher shortages and growing demands on educators, the group believes that strengthening the teaching profession is critical to building sustainable educational excellence.

Read more: Redhill School learner Swapnika Kasireddy places second in national Royal Society essay contest

“High-quality education starts with high-quality teaching,” said Sampson. “By investing deeply in the capability of our educators and school leaders, we are strengthening what learners experience in classrooms every day and building a more sustainable model of educational excellence.”

Developing master facilitators

One of Khanya’s key ambitions is to develop master facilitators who go beyond delivering lessons to deeply understanding how learners think, process information and acquire knowledge.

These educators are developed through modelling, practice, coaching, feedback and real classroom experience. The approach recognises that no two learners are exactly alike. One may grasp a concept immediately, while another needs a different explanation, additional practice or more targeted support.
Spark Schools head of product Khomotjo Mashele said personalisation does not happen simply because data is available.

“It happens when a skilled educator can take this information, understand the learner in front of them, and make the right decisions. The teacher sits at the heart of every personalised learning journey.”

Mashele added that Khanya focuses on skills that allow teachers to turn information into action, from planning for mastery and asking effective questions to checking understanding, identifying misconceptions, interpreting learner data and adapting support.

Focusing on instructional leadership

The Centre of Excellence is not only about classroom practitioners. Spark Schools is also placing a strong emphasis on instructional leadership, recognising that excellent teaching needs to become part of a school’s culture rather than depend on one outstanding teacher.

Also read: Former drama teacher Sue Diepeveen brings classroom realities to Sandton stage

Through leadership development, observation, coaching and evidence-based reflection, school leaders will be equipped to support their teams and create environments where teachers can continuously improve. “The goal is to create a professional development journey that follows educators throughout their careers,” Mashele said. “From induction and early development through to mastery and leadership. In this model, professional growth is not a once-off workshop or annual training session. It becomes an ongoing part of the profession.”

She added that the measure of Khanya’s success will be its ability to make personalised education a reality for every learner. “If we want every learner to experience an education that responds to who they are, what they know, and what they are ready to learn next, we have to develop educators who can make this happen. Khanya is about building this expertise deliberately and continuously.”

That emphasis on continuous learning extends to school leaders themselves.

“The future of education requires educators and leaders who are lifelong learners too,” Sampson believes. “Khanya gives us the opportunity to strengthen our practice continuously, learn from what happens in our classrooms, and keep raising the quality of teaching and learning across our schools.”

Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates!