How We Began
During the early nineteen sixties Dr Vera Buhrmann a Jungian Psychiatrist, became aware of the extent of the problem of Autism in Cape Town. A few professionals and parents met and formed a group under the chairmanship of Victor Carpenter to investigate the local situation. Following this, the Society for Autistic Children was founded in 1967. It was decided to start a school at a house in Claremont, Cape Town. Margaret Golding, a qualified teacher, was appointed principal and in 1970 the Day School for Autistic children opened.
In 1972 the Rotary Club of Durbanville donated a VW Kombi, a major milestone in the school's development. It had grown to the extent that new premises were required. In 1974 a larger house was purchased in Mowbray where the number of pupils grew to 20 with a waiting list of 6. In 1976 the Andrew Clark Hostel was established in Plumstead to help cope with the continued growth.
In 1979 Dr Marinus van Rooyen took over the reigns from Margaret Golding. The school ws named Vera School in recognition of the contribution to the field of autism by Dr Vera Buhrman and Prof Vera Grover, a professional in the field of intellectual disability at the University of Cape Town.
In 1982 the new Vera School building was completed and in May 1983 it was opened by Dr Gerrit Viljoen, the National Minister of Education. By 1991 the school had 42 children, 25 of whom were borders in the hostels.
Presently the school has 95 learners, 35 of whom reside in the hostel during the school week. The school has a total staff compliment of 60 people. Fanie Minnaar, and educational psychologist is the current principal.