We are working hard to create a systemic school intervention model that will serve to provide solutions within the education framework of South Africa and beyond. We are committed to sharing replicable and transferable practices, systems and components of the model wherever possible. A key priority within this model is that we strive to bring 'humanity' and 'caring' into central focus within education. For LEAP to make an impact on national/global education and for this to impact directly on the restoration of social justice, it is essential that the systems, practices and academic approaches at LEAP are replicable, independent of location and environment and transferable into other contexts.

The LEAP Science and Maths School intervention model reflects that:

- academic performance and development is inextricably linked to emotional development

- academic deficits cannot be remedied in isolation

- family relationships are vital in values education

- new families must be created

- peer influence in adolescence can be a painful tool for positive change

- real life learning situations must be created for awareness and insight to develop

- Life Orientation as a school subject provides an ideal vehicle for strategic life-changing intervention

- cultural coherence is important in the process of adolescent development

The following factors are fundamental to the LEAP model:

LEAP systems

Extended direct contact with educators, mentors, and volunteers is aimed at creating a real sense of family. Longer school days (8:15am – 5:15pm, 9 hour days) and Saturday tutorials also allow for double periods of English, Maths, Sciences everyday.

Systemic feedback and tracking systems based on the principles of kaizen are being developed with the help of Teaching With Africa to allow us to respond early and effectively to patterns emerging among learners as individuals and in the school as a whole, and enable a constant cycle of self improvement throughout the system.

The Code of Conduct method of self-regulation by learners empowers them to take responsibility for themselves and their environment. Learner leadership and initiative is encouraged and nurtured in a flat management structure as the hierarchy between teachers and learners is de-emphasised.

Small school family concept ensures that relationships remain at the core of interactions at LEAP. Small class sizes, approximately 20 learners per class, and only 2 classes per grade level allow deeper, more meaningful personal relationships between learners and teachers, emphasising a sense of family and ensuring teachers have sufficient resources to give ample attention to every learner. A small school community, 160 learners per school, ensures that positive change can be implemented efficiently and a sense of community within the schools can be achieved.

Regular routines with all subjects every day gives learners and teachers a clear academic focus.

LEAP as a Health Promoting School

LEAP supports the Health Promoting School concept as layed out by the Department of Education, the Health Department and the Department of Social Development.

Dynamic Partnerships

School-facility sharing with privileged schools allows access to high quality educational facilities and contributes to an integrated South African community.

LEAPSA

The creation of a successful alumni means that the LEAP schools continue to receive feedback once our learners graduate and enable long term support and a broader view of the effects of LEAP systems.

LEAP as an Outward Looking Transformation Node

Our learners are not isolated from their communities, but rather LEAP maintains itself as an integral part of those communities.

Cultural activities help develop learners’ creativity and their sense of identity, at the same time integrating LEAP into the community.

LEAP is closely aligned with the new national curriculum, and is assisting in its evolution. The teacher training programme and our commitment to sharing our best practices regarding teaching methodologies and curriculum-based lesson plans and assessment processes, means that LEAP contributes to the improvement of the national education system.

Financial Sustainability

LEAPs financial goals aim for long-term funding stability in order to facilitate the pursuit of its objectives.