It was founded in 1869 at Inanda, a settlement just over 20 miles (32 km) north of Durban, by Daniel and Lucy Lindley, an American missionary couple.

On 20 November 1834, Daniel and Lucy Virginia (born Allen) Lindley married and they were sent by the American Board of Missions to South Africa.

[2] The couple thought this was a problem and decided to found a school for nineteen young girls who would board at Inanda.

This act required schools that were not teaching white students to create a curriculum that was inline with the governments (low) ambitions for its black population.

[6] In the 1960s and 70s the school would receive 1500 applications from prospective students and these were whittled down to 90, based on a selection principle that involved recommendations, special exams, previous work and interview.

The school was then managed by the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa but the government's decision resulted in the loss of some dedicated members of staff.

This number has now grown to ten schools which have been identified because they have played an important part in South Africa's history.