What Is the Association of Trust Schools (ATS)?

A Parent's Guide to Understanding Trust Schools in Zimbabwe

If you've been looking at independent schools in Zimbabwe, you've probably come across the term "ATS school." Here's what it means and why it matters for your child.

What Is the ATS?

The Association of Trust Schools (ATS) is the governing body for some independent primary and secondary schools in Zimbabwe. It currently has around 65 member schools, roughly 40 primary schools and 24 secondary schools. Together these schools have over 23,000 students across the country. It’s membership is what could be considered ‘affluent’ schools in Zimbabwe.

Every ATS school is a non-profit institution run by its own Board of Governors. This means no individual or company owns the school for profit and all fees go back into running and improving the school.

This is different from many new private schools in Zimbabwe that are owned and sometimes operated on a for profit basis by individuals.

As an organisation, the ATS itself is managed by an Executive Committee made up of representatives from member schools' governing bodies and the Conference of Heads of Independent Schools in Zimbabwe (CHISZ). Its offices are in Newlands, Harare.

A Brief History

The ATS was founded on 19 October 1962, originally as the Association of Governing Bodies of Independent Schools in Rhodesia and Nyasaland. It started with just nine member schools, including well-known names like Peterhouse, Falcon College, Chisipite, and St. George's. Generally, at that time these schools catered to the white population, while Government and Mission schools catered to the blacks.

By the mid-1970s, membership had grown to around 24 schools. Numbers dipped during the Independence War years, with some schools closing down. However, from 1983 onwards, demand for independent education surged again. Between 1983 and 1986 alone, nineteen new private schools were founded and the association has continued to grow since.

How Does It Work?

The ATS operates as a self-regulating body. Member schools agree to follow shared codes of conduct, maintain professional standards, and operate ethically. Schools that want to join must go through a formal accreditation process that includes submitting documentation, completing a questionnaire, and hosting a full-day inspection visit.

Each member school retains its independence, that is they choose their own curriculum, set their own admission policies, and manage their own operations. But being part of the ATS means they hold themselves accountable to shared standards of governance and educational quality.

The ATS also runs two sub-associations: the ATS Parents' Association (ATSP) and the ATS Bursars' Association (ATSB), which support parent engagement and school financial management respectively.

Why Choose an ATS School?

Generally ATS schools are on the expensive side, about $1000 a term at least, but some charge as much as $5000 a term. if you can afford one, there are several practical reasons parents consider ATS schools:

Consistent standards

ATS membership signals that a school meets established benchmarks for governance, staffing, and educational practice. Schools must employ professionally qualified heads and teachers.

Holistic education

ember schools follow a learner-centred approach that develops the whole child — academically, in sport, in cultural activities, and through community service.

Smooth transitions

The common entrance procedures across ATS schools make it easier for children to move from a junior ATS school to a senior one.

Curriculum choice

ATS schools have the independence to offer Cambridge, ZIMSEC, or both which gives families more options for their children's qualifications.

Accountability to parents

As non-profit entities governed by volunteer boards, these schools are accountable to their parent communities rather than to private owners.

With thew explosion of new private and individual owned schools in Zimbabwe, many parents have found themselves in situations where the owner outright rejects any accountability structures such as SDCs and essentially tell parents “if you don’t like my personal approach, you are welcome to remove your child from my school.”

Things to Keep in Mind

ATS schools are fee-paying independent schools, so affordability is a key consideration. Fees vary significantly from school to school. It's worth comparing fee structures carefully and asking about bursary or scholarship options if they exist.

Being an ATS member doesn't automatically guarantee academic excellence, as a parent you should still do your own research, check reviews, visit schools, and look at results before making a decision about the best fit for your child.

The Bottom Line

The ATS is essentially a quality mark for private schools in Zimbabwe. If a school is an ATS member, it means the school has been vetted, operates as a non-profit, follows a code of conduct, and is part of a wider network committed to maintaining educational standards. For parents exploring private schooling, and can afford an ATS school, it's a useful starting point.

For a full list of ATS member schools, visit this page.

ATS Contact Details

Website: https://atszim.org/
Address: 49 Victoria Drive, Newlands, Harare

Email: admin@atszim.org

Phone: +263 24 2497708