
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.
Meet the Council

RICHARD VIGNE
Billy Coulson
Graham Kayes
Thomas Wright
Edmund Lovatt
Alexandre Liebeskind
HENRY KNIGHT
Millie Seagon
Mary Murigah
Humphrey Nzeyi
Winnie Guchu
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

Mrs Evonne Wheeler

Mrs Chantal Cillie Trevor

Mr Henry Snow

Miss Ali Omell

Mrs Laelia Surtees

Mr John Wright

Mrs Celina Ritchie

Mrs Alison Letcher

Mr James Standen McDougal

Mrs Kirsty Rust

Miss Alice Matthews

Mrs Alex Standen McDougal

Sister Purity Nyambura

Mr Michael Amaru

Mr Ed Hawkins

Mrs Katrina Dingley

Mrs MJ Nuijten-Coulson

Mr Ian Adams

Mrs Katie Aung

Ms Hilary Davidson

Mrs Louise Foxton

MRS DANI GOODCHILD

Ms Ash Harrold

Mrs Catherine Gatheru - Therenja

Mrs Cathrine Jensen

MS EMILY KILONZO

Miss Kaila Miller

Ms Wambura Mitaru

MS EMILY ROWE

Mrs Barbara Terry

Mrs Judy Wairimu

Mr Peter Maina

mrs Ginny Shambarla

Ms Fran Pim-Kaime

mrs Heather Clarke

mr Toby Blake

mrs Carol Ngori

Mrs Colleta Kaihura

Mr Sammy Likoko

ms Sam Stone-Wigg

Tiva Herbert-Arkle

Ms Deborah Wilson

Miss Anna Gordons

Mrs Severine Dewailly

Ms Scolastica Nyambura
Mrs Bridget Newlands
Mr Bernard Larry Nyambok
Mr Bevan Newlands

Mrs Lydia Njuguna

Mr Evanson Ndungu

Mrs Terry Mwangi

Mrs Ann Wanjiru Mutegi

Mr Obadiah Nyabaro

David Kuria Macharia

Esther Muthama

Sister Leah Wangechi Thimba

Sister Winnie Nyambura

Sister Mildred Chabwanga

Sister Josephine Gakii Muriira

Dennis Njogu
Ian rono








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.
- Admissions Policy
- Anti Bullying Policy (Including Anti-Cyber Bullying)
- Behaviour & Discipline Policy
- Boarding Policy
- CCTV Policy
- Curriculum Policy
- Data Protection Policy
- Data Retention and Disposal Policy
- Early Years Policy
- English as an Additional Language Policy
- Equal Opportunity and Ethnic Diversity Policy
- Kenyanisation Policy
- Learning Support Policy
- Medical & First Aid Policy
- Health & Safety Policy
- Pandemic Policy
- Parents’ Complaint Procedure Policy
- Photography and Video Policy
- Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy
- School and Website Privacy Policy
- Whistle Blowing Policy
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.