In 1878, Girls’ Collegiate School was established in Pietermaritzburg. Some years later, in 1905, Wykeham School was founded in the city as another independent institution for the education of young women. A decision to merge the two schools, with due respect for their individual traditions and histories, was made in late 1988. The Wykeham Collegiate opened on 1 January 1990 at the beginning of a decade that was to see dramatic change in South Africa. Strong foundations, combined with the foresight of its inaugurators, ensured that The Wykeham Collegiate soon became recognised as one of the leading independent schools for girls in Africa.