About Us
Overview, Aims & Ethos
‘Throughout the school pupils benefit from the strong emphasis on valuing the individual child within the context of a school that has a strong family and community ethos.’
- SIS Inspection Report, 2018
Pembroke House is a unique British boarding school in the heart of Kenya. We are a small, multicultural school of around 200 pupils, and cater for boys and girls aged 2 - 13 years. We have a 90 year history of private education in East Africa, and our focus is on developing well-rounded, happy, independent, polite and confident pupils. Our Head is a member of the Independent Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS) and we follow the British Common Entrance curriculum. Our pupils go on to top international schools in the UK, Kenya and elsewhere around the world, with a high percentage achieving scholarships and awards to their next schools. We also have a large Learning Support department, which ensures we recognise specific learning needs early on, and then have the time and expertise to help children develop key skills.
At Pembroke, the welfare, safety, happiness and security of all our children is paramount. The vision is to bring out the best in every child, both in and out of the classroom. Our motivation is to provide a small, family atmosphere and instil our school values of dignity, duty and constancy. We strongly believe that the ‘Pembroke Spirit’ is something to be valued and nurtured.
However, many of these things are intangible and very difficult to capture on a website or in a prospectus. So please don’t take our word for it – come and visit to see for yourself.
Meet the Head
I am very excited to be joining the team at Pembroke in September as Headmistress. I will be beginning my 15th year at the school and during this time I have worked in a number of different roles. I spent many years teaching Geography and being a class teacher in the Junior School, as well as being Housemistress of both Scholes and Mackie Houses along the way. I was then Headmistress for seven years between 2009 and 2016 and during this time it was rewarding to watch the school develop, confidence grow, and the numbers swell from 134 when I began, to 227 as I left.
I have really enjoyed having some time out and the chance to be at home with Robin and offer somewhat more support to Jemma, James and Georgina. In hindsight these years could be seen as a sabbatical, and the opportunity to have some ‘time’ and learn in other ways has been a wonderful gift. Being a little older has perhaps added a touch more perspective and hopefully what I might lack in youthfulness will be offset by the benefit of extra experience. I very much feel ready for a new tour of duty at school and look forward to all I can add in the coming months and years. The values fundamental to the ethos of Pembroke will always remain the same: courage, good manners, kindness and always trying to do your best. However, the world marches on and there are many challenges to face in our modern-day life, as well as much to embrace in the educational environment of today.
As I take the reins in the long holidays ready for the new academic year, my priority will be to build on the sense of trust between the whole school community: parents, staff, children and Council.
Throughout my coming term as Headmistress I promise I will do everything I can to ensure that Pembroke House remains true to its values and stays at the forefront of the Prep School scene, offering our children the very best possible education and upbringing in today’s world.
Mrs Deborah Boyd-Moss
Pembroke History
Pembroke House has a long tradition of quality schooling in East Africa, and is now more than 90 years old. It was named after the Cambridge College attended by its founder Headmaster, Harold Turner, who established the school in 1927 and conducted it from the outset on the lines of a traditional British preparatory school. This tradition has continued ever since.
Mr Turner purchased the unfinished farmhouse and 100 acres just outside of Gilgil from Captain Alan Gibson, after Gibson’s plan to farm flax failed. The original building now sits at the heart of the school buildings, and the school has understandably undergone a huge number of changes since its inception. Some of the most significant of these have been the improvement of roads, which helped to increase the number of sporting fixtures and develop the sporting prowess for which Pembroke has become renowned; the building of the Christina Chapel by the pupils in the 1950s, with its size determined by all the boys sitting in the proposed space and measuring around them; the introduction of girls to the school in 1988, after it was recognised that this was necessary for its long-term viability; constant additions and improvements to buildings, including the development of a dedicated Science Laboratory, Music School, Theatre and Cafe, all of which are valuable resources; and the development of the Pre-Prep in recent years, which has proved hugely popular with local parents and contributed significantly to EYFS learning and pupils’ integration into the school from an early age.
The school has been owned by Kenya Educational Trust Limited since 1959. This body, accepted by guarantee without having a share capital, is an independent institution with all income received devoted to the management and improvement of the school. The British Common Entrance requirements are central to the school’s academic aims, standards and expectations.
The school’s motto is ‘Fortuna Favet Fortibus’ which means Fortune Favours the Brave. The emblem is the martlet bird, which is a mythical, legless creature that represents the ceaseless pursuit of learning. The martlet’s inability to land is considered symbolic of the constant quest for knowledge, and has led to the little bird being used in the arms of several schools and universities around the world.
Staff
‘Teachers provide good models in the courteous manner in which they interact with pupils and in their insistence on good behaviour at all times. The staff show great understanding and care, and these factors help pupils to develop a strong sense of self-esteem and self-confidence.’
- SIS Inspection Report, 2018
Pembroke has a large team of dedicated professionals who are committed to the quality education and welfare of all our children. We have an excellent pupil to staff ratio of 6:1, which ensures that children receive the support and encouragement they need, across all areas of school life. Staff are drawn from international and local backgrounds, and we always look for staff who can prove their commitment and passion in our very busy boarding school environment. They must also have relevant qualifications and experience, to ensure that we are offering the best to all pupils. Staff undertake ongoing Safeguarding training and professional development throughout the year. Prospective staff must pass rigorous safer recruitment procedures to ensure the safety of our pupils.
In addition to teaching and administrative staff, we also have a large team of dedicated and hard-working support staff. Many of these people have a long history of working at Pembroke, and their value and importance cannot be underestimated.
Meet the Team
Mrs Deborah Boyd-Moss
Mr Mike Aung
MR EDMUND LOVATT
Mrs Judy Wairimu
Mrs Katie Aung
Ms Hilary Davidson
Mr Neil Davidson
Mrs Barbara Terry
Mrs Alison Letcher
Mrs Louise Foxton
Ms Jess Horner
Mr Ben Hudson
MR COSMAS MUTAI
Mr Victor Juma
MS RAHAB KAMAU
MS EMILY KILONZO
MS ESTHER MWANGI
Mr Sammy Likoko
Mr JOHN MICHUKI
MR PETER MUTURI
MR ISAAC NDEGWA
Mr Peter Maina
MR BENARD OCHUNA
MRS LAELIA SURTEES
MS ALI OMELL
Mr JOE PERCIVAL
MRS SARAH PERCIVAL
MS REBECCA RAYNER
Mr Charlie OYOKO
MR LAZARUS OCHUNA
MS HANNAH SHOUKRY
MR HENRY SNOW
Mrs CELINA RITCHIE
MS EMILY ROWE
MRS CATHERINE GATHERU
MRS DANI GOODCHILD
MR CHRIS HAYNES
MS NTHENYA MUUMBI
MR JOHN WRIGHT
MR ANTHONY KAMAU
MR SETH GUMBO
MRS MJ NUIJTEN COULSON
Ms Fran Pim-Kaime
MS GAKENIA MUCHARIE
Mr MIKE AMARU
MS MILDRED CHABWANGA
Mr Benjamin Cork (Operations)
MRS KATRINA DINGLEY
Mr RICHARD ECHAKAN
MS CAROLINE KENNEDY
MS JOSEPHINE MURIIRA
MRS ANNE MUTEGI
MRS TERRY MWANGI
Mr EVANSON NDUNGU
MRS LYDIA NUGUNA
MR OBADIAH NYABARO
MRS PURITY NYAMBURA
MR ANDREW NYANSIKERA
MS CHANTAL TREVOR
MS LEAH WANGECI
MRS EVONNE WHEELER
Ms Winnie Niuthami Nyambura
Staff Vacancies
At Pembroke, we are always on the lookout for exceptional staff members. In our staff, we look for people who are prepared to go above and beyond the basic expectations, and become dedicated, passionate and inspirational team members. Staff need to be prepared to commit to a busy boarding school environment, and give their all, devoting themselves to the good of the children. They must also become a part of the Pembroke family, be flexible and informally professional, meaning they balance regulations with the need for ideas and space to learn.
While specific positions do become available throughout the year, we tend to have a primary intake of new teaching staff at the beginning of the school year in September. We are happy to receive CVs and covering letters at any time to keep on file, as well as formal applications for advertised positions, using the form here. All potential staff members will be required to undergo rigorous safer recruitment procedures before being employed. Should you wish to review our Safer Recruitment Policy, please click here and our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy, here.
Pembroke House School is totally committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects the same from its employees. All new staff will be subject to enhanced DBS clearance, identity checks, qualification checks and employment checks to include an exploration of any gaps within employment, two satisfactory references (to include current employer) and police clearance checks from all countries in which previously employed.
Apart from teaching staff, we also have vacancies for school support staff, in a range of areas. Please contact our HR Manager by emailing hr@pembrokehouse.sc.ke for more information about specific availability in these positions.
Gap Student Opportunities
We use volunteer gap year pupils each term to assist around school, and they are a very important part of Pembroke life. Being a ‘gap’ is a brilliant experience of working in a school, and getting a little taste of Africa, although there are high expectations. Gaps are important as general classroom assistants, supporting lower ability pupils, listening to pupils’ daily reading, helping with games sessions, assisting in the boarding houses and in weekend clubs and activities, amongst other duties. We often have a ‘super gap’; this is someone who is a new graduate or taking a year out from their studies, and their responsibilities may extend further than those of a regular gap. Gaps may have the opportunity to travel to safari destinations for form trips, as well as independently further afield during half-term or after finishing their time at Pembroke.
Although the positions are unpaid, we provide accommodation and all meals for our gaps, as well as a year-long internship pass, allowing for future travel. One of the best parts of being a gap is to work in a team and create close friendships with fellow gaps. Gaps need to provide relevant police clearance certificates and they must undergo Safeguarding training upon arrival. Please find more information here. If you would like to apply to be a gap pupil at Pembroke, use the form here.
Pembroke normally receives Gap Student applications well over a year in advance of the term a potential Gap would like to work in. If you would like to apply to be a Gap Student, please fill out the Gap Details form and return it with a short note stating what term and year you are interested in joining us for and also explaining why you would be a suitable candidate, and send it by e-mail with an up-to-date copy of your CV to admin@pembrokehouse.sc.ke; the Master i/c Gap Students will then contact you about your application.
Term Dates
Please click on the link to see the term dates for this and subsequent school years. As a general guide, the Michaelmas term runs from the beginning of September until early December; the Lent term is from early January until late March/before Easter; the Trinity term is from late April until early July. These are usually in line with other Kenyan IAPS schools to allow for match fixtures and other inter-school events.
The complete calendar for each term is available in soft and hard copy for current parents.
Policies
We have policies for all areas of school life. These provide important guidelines to help govern the consistent and professional running of the school in a broad context. Links to our key policies are provided below, but all school policies are available upon request.
- Admissions Policy
- Anti Bullying Policy (Including Anti-Cyber Bullying)
- Behaviour & Discipline Policy
- Boarding Policy
- Curriculum Policy
- Early Years Policy
- English as an Additional Language Policy
- Health & Safety Policy
- Learning Support Policy
- Medical & First Aid Policy
- Pandemic Policy
- Parents’ Complaint Procedure Policy
- Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
- Whistle Blowing Policy
Inspection Report
In 2018, the school underwent a full inspection by the School Inspection Service. We were judged Outstanding in the areas of Pupils’ Personal Development and Effectiveness of Boarding Provision.
Read the full British Schools Overseas (BSO) Inspection Report for Pembroke House School here.
In February 2020, the school underwent a compliance inspection by the Independent School Inspectorate (ISI). The School met all the required standards for accreditation.
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Contact Us
 Postal Address Pembroke House School PO Box 31 Gilgil 20116 KENYA |
 Physical Address Pembroke House School Nyahururu Road Gilgil KENYA |
 School Office +254 (0)20 231 2324 +254 (0)727 108 567 |
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School Contacts CHAIRMAN OF COUNCIL: Mr Richard Vigne HEAD: Mrs Deborah Boyd-Moss DEPUTY HEAD (OPERATIONS): Mr Mike Aung DEPUTY HEAD (PASTORAL): Mr Edmund Lovatt DIRECTOR OF STUDIES: Miss Ali Omell BURSAR: Mrs Chantal Trevor REGISTRAR: Mrs Katrina Dingley SCHOOL SECRETARY: Mrs Terry Mwangi HEAD OF MACKIE HOUSE: Mr Henry Snow HEAD OF SCHOLES HOUSE: Mrs Evonne Wheeler |
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