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About Us

Our 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 6 months - 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.

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, STEAM centre, 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.

Meet the Head

'A very warm welcome to our website and we are so pleased that you are trying to find out a little more about Pembroke House. Pembroke began in 1927 and fortunately, with history on our side with nigh on 95 years of experience, we managed to find a way through the recent challenges of Covid. With this time safely behind us we are now powering ahead with so many exciting and creative ideas for the future. 

With the support of a very generous sponsor the STEAM Centre was completed in 2022 and this has added much to the lives of our children in the Senior School with all sorts of models and inventions beginning to adorn the shelves and display areas. We have also added Adventure Learning to the timetable for the middle school and it almost goes without saying that this is one of our children’s favourite lessons. To add to all this we are passionate about our new drive to create a sustainable future for the school with the healthiest possible meals, our own dedicated woodland, complete with a working farmyard with the extra additions of apiaries and wormeries  and the target of being carbon neutral by 2030. One final advantage of school life is that it is totally device free and this combined with 120 acres of playing fields and forestry gives our children real time and space for so much freedom and this is a very important part of what we offer our pupils, which is so much more than just an education.
 
Traditionally, Pembroke  children have been  much appreciated by their next schools for they have been known to be well mannered, young people who are courageous and full of spirit, full of initiative and integrity and who are truly appreciative of their good fortune and who always try their best. Nothing has changed other than in today’s world these virtues are possibly even more outstanding.
 
Please come and see us for we are very proud of our school and would love to show you around. Nothing beats walking through our gates and feeling the warmth of our school community and experiencing the unique nature of our buildings set in the most lovely grounds.
 
We look forward to seeing you very soon!
 
Meet the Council

Rvigne

RICHARD VIGNE

Chairman of Council
richard.council@pembrokehouse.sc.ke
I am currently the Executive Director for the School of Wildlife Conservation, which is part of the African Leadership University. I am a highly motivated individual who is passionate about conservation, and finding new and innovative ways for the natural capital of the planet to be sustained and harnessed in a manner that addresses the economic and social needs of growing human populations. After over 20 successful years spent creating the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya, I am now looking for opportunities to apply my experience at a scale that makes a real difference.

Billy Coulson

Vice Chairman of Council / Executive Committee
billy.council@pembrokehouse.sc.ke

Graham Kayes

Chair of the Finance Committee / Executive Committee / Safeguarding Lead
graham.council@pembrokehouse.sc.ke

Thomas Wright

Chairman of Pembroke House Foundation
thomas.council@pembrokehouse.sc.ke

Edmund Lovatt

Educationalist
edmund.council@pembrokehouse.sc.ke

Alexandre Liebeskind

Council Member
alexandre.council@pembrokehouse.sc.ke

HENRY KNIGHT

Educationalist
henry.council@pembrokehouse.sc.ke

Millie Seagon

Marketing Lead & EYFS Lead
millie.council@pembrokehouse.sc.ke

Mary Murigah

Health & Safety Lead
mary.council@pembrokehouse.sc.ke

Humphrey Nzeyi

Council Member
humphrey.council@pembrokehouse.sc.ke

Winnie Guchu

Council Member
winnie.council@pembrokehouse.sc.ke

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

Head

Debs

Mrs Deborah Boyd-Moss

Headmistress / Next Schools / Geography Teacher

Senior Leadership Team

Copy of Mike Aung

Mr Mike Aung

DHM - Operations/Head of Weekends & Trips/Adventure Learning & Maths Teacher/Sport/Head of Fosters
Copy of Evonne Wheeler

Mrs Evonne Wheeler

Designated Safeguarding Lead/Head of Scholes House/ PSHEE Teacher
Chantal Cillie Trevor

Mrs Chantal Cillie Trevor

Bursar/PHF
Copy of Henry Snow

Mr Henry Snow

Senior Tutor/Director of Sport/Weekends & Trips
Copy of Ali Omell

Miss Ali Omell

Director of Studies/Head of Geography

Senior Management Team

Copy of Laelia Surtees1

Mrs Laelia Surtees

Head of Senior School / Head of Maths / Head of Scholarships / Head of Opies
John Wright headshot

Mr John Wright

Head of French & Latin/Head of The Martlet Award & Clubs/ Head of Paid Extras/Sport/Head of Turners
Copy of Celina Ritchie

Mrs Celina Ritchie

Head of Pre-Prep/Deputy DLS/House Tutor/School Magazine
Copy of Alison Letcher

Mrs Alison Letcher

Head of Learning Support (Part Time)/PMP Coordinator
James Standen McDougal Head

Mr James Standen McDougal

Head of Mackie House / Head of History / Sport
Kirsty Rust Head

Mrs Kirsty Rust

Head of Juniors / Year 3 Teacher
Alice Matthews

Miss Alice Matthews

Assistant Housemistress - Scholes Hse/Science & STEAM Head of Middles/Sport
Alex Standen McDougal

Mrs Alex Standen McDougal

Assistant Housemistress - Mackie Hse/Head of Drama
Purity Wambui

Sister Purity Nyambura

Head Nurse
Copy of Michael Amaru

Mr Michael Amaru

Human Resource Manager/Health & Safety Administrator
Hawkins

Mr Ed Hawkins

Head of Tracking and Progress/Head of Football/English & French/Teacher/Sport
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Mrs Katrina Dingley

Registrar/PA to Head/Marketing & Events/PHF
MJ

Mrs MJ Nuijten-Coulson

Special Projects Coordinator

Teachers

Ian Adams Head

Mr Ian Adams

Head of STEAM & Digital Learning /Maths Teacher/ Sport
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Mrs Katie Aung

Year 4 Teacher/Sport/LAMDA/Productions
Copy of Hilary Davidson

Ms Hilary Davidson

Library & RS Teacher/Exeat Trips/Tuck shop/ Mackie Hse Tutor
Copy of Louise Foxton

Mrs Louise Foxton

Year 3 Teacher/Dinky Safari Rally
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MRS DANI GOODCHILD

Year 3 teacher
Harrold

Ms Ash Harrold

Year 4 Teacher/House Tutor - Scholes Hse
Catherine Gatheru

Mrs Catherine Gatheru - Therenja

Learning Support Teacher/Social Skills Group Facilitator
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Mrs Cathrine Jensen

Head of Art and Design Technology/House Tutor - Scholes Hse/LAMDA/Productions
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MS EMILY KILONZO

Assistant Housemistress - Scholes Hse/Pre-Prep & PMP Teacher
Miller

Miss Kaila Miller

Hd of Girls’ Games/Scholes Hse Tutor/Gap Co/Social Media/Hd Hazards
Wambura Mitaru Head

Ms Wambura Mitaru

Head of Music / Music Peri Coordinator / Productions
Copy of Emily Rowe

MS EMILY ROWE

Pre Prep Teacher
Copy of Barbara Terry

Mrs Barbara Terry

Learning Support Teacher
Copy of Judy Wairimu

Mrs Judy Wairimu

Year 2 Teacher
Copy of Peter Maina

Mr Peter Maina

Teaching Assistant - Librarian/ Tech Team Coordinator / Sport
Ginny Shambala

mrs Ginny Shambarla

Riding Instructor/Cover Teacher/House Tutor - Mackie Hse
Fran Pim-Kaime Head

Ms Fran Pim-Kaime

Year 1 Teacher/Sustainability Committee
Heather Clarke Head

mrs Heather Clarke

Head of Science and Maths Teacher
Toby Blake Head

mr Toby Blake

Assistant Housemaster - Mackie Hse/Science & STEAM/Sport
Carol Ngori Head

mrs Carol Ngori

Assistant Housemistress - Scholes Hse/ Sport(Swimming)
Colleta

Mrs Colleta Kaihura

Kiswahili, English & RS Teacher
Copy of Sammy Likoko

Mr Sammy Likoko

Sport Instructor /Mackie Hse Tutor/Weekends & Trips
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ms Sam Stone-Wigg

English Teacher
Tiva Arkle Head

Tiva Herbert-Arkle

Mini Martlet Teacher
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Ms Deborah Wilson

English Teacher
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Miss Anna Gordons

TPR Teacher/Sport
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Mrs Severine Dewailly

French Teacher
Schola

Ms Scolastica Nyambura

Learning Support Teacher

Mrs Bridget Newlands

Pre - Prep Maternity Cover/House Tutor - Mackie Hse/ Sport

Mr Bernard Larry Nyambok

Science Lab Technician/Sport

Mr Bevan Newlands

Assistant House Parent - Mackie Hse/Woodland Canopy/Sport

Administration and Pastoral Staff

Copy of Lydia Njuguna

Mrs Lydia Njuguna

Accountant
Copy of Evanson Ndungu

Mr Evanson Ndungu

Assistant Accountant
Copy of Terry Mwangi

Mrs Terry Mwangi

School Secretary
Copy of Anne Mutegi

Mrs Ann Wanjiru Mutegi

Reprographics & Stationery
Obadiah Nyaboro Head

Mr Obadiah Nyabaro

Catering / Procurement and Stores
David Macharia headshot(1)

David Kuria Macharia

Operations and Logistics Officer
Esther Muthama headshot

Esther Muthama

HR and Compliance Officer
Leah Wangeci

Sister Leah Wangechi Thimba

Nurse
Winnie Nyambura Head

Sister Winnie Nyambura

Nurse
Millie Mungasia

Sister Mildred Chabwanga

San Assistant
Josephine Muriira

Sister Josephine Gakii Muriira

Nurse
Dennis Njogu

Dennis Njogu

ICT Manager

Ian rono

ICT Administrator

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:
SIS Inspection Full Report 2018.

In February 2020, the school also underwent a compliance inspection by the Independent Schools Inspectorate. The Standards for British Schools Oversees have all been met for accreditation.

Read the full British Schools Overseas (BSO) Inspection Report for Pembroke House School here:
ISI Inspection Full Report 2020.

In 2023, the school underwent another full inspection by the School Inspection Service. We were yet again judged Excellent 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:
ISI Inspection Full Report 2023.

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.

Term Dates

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.

Please find Pembroke Term Dates below.

Download Pembroke Term Dates 2022 - 2023.

Download Pembroke Term Dates 2023 - 2024.

#WhereChildrenBelong #UniqueSpirit #KenyaPrepSchool #martletmoments #everychildmatters #everymomentcounts