Durbanville Schools Foundation: Word Test Results (2025+2026)

Word Test Results Show Encouraging Progress

As part of the Durbanville Schools Foundation project, learners’ word-writing is assessed at the beginning of each school year using the BCF Word Test. Learners are given 15 minutes to write as many words as they can in the language of instruction at their school. Errors and repetitions are excluded to produce a net word score. The test is administered under the same conditions each year, allowing us to track changes in performance over time.

The results from the four schools show an encouraging overall trajectory between 2025 and 2026. Alpha increased from an average of 40.6 to 52.6 net words, a statistically significant improvement. The most substantial increase was at Attie van Wyk, where the average rose from 32.4 to 64.3 words — a statistically significant increase of almost 32 words.

Philadelphia showed a relatively stable result, moving from 56.5 to 53.1 words, while Trevor Manual moved from 26.4 to 22.1 words; neither change was statistically significant.

Across all four schools, the overall mean increased from 38.7 net words in 2025 to 48.0 in 2026, representing a 24% increase. These results provide encouraging evidence of progress, while also highlighting differences between schools that warrant continued support and investigation.