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Durham International School Kenya

Kenya, Nairobi

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees KES 350 - 19,950
Ages 1 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 490
Type Co-educational
Opened 2021
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP), Cambridge A Levels
Taught languages English, Korean
Typical class size 5
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Languages
Clubs Arts and Creative, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Infant/Toddler Care, Early Years, Primary School, Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Durham International School Kenya is a Nairobi branch of Durham UK, operating two Nairobi campuses: Thigiri and Rosslyn. The school follows British Curriculum and offers a rigorous continuum from Early Years through to Sixth Form, with EYFS, British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB Diploma, and Cambridge A Levels. Ages 1 to 18 are welcomed. The Thigiri campus sits near Karura Forest, while Rosslyn campus houses Senior School in a purpose-built setting with state-of-the-art classrooms and dedicated co-curricular spaces. The curriculum blends academics with co-curricular opportunities and pastoral care, with continuous assessment from Year 1 and online parent journals. Grow with Durham links KS3 to KS4 and Sixth Form, which will begin in September 2028 with IB or A Level offerings and university guidance. The school emphasizes the ethos 'Confidence for Life' and 'Respect for All', and offers outstanding sports facilities, a vibrant arts program, and languages including French, Spanish and Kiswahili.

The Essentials

Durham International School Kenya has 490 pupils, typical class sizes of 5, instruction in English.

Location

Thigiri Campus is located in a leafy, green corner of Thigiri, on the edge of Karura Forest. It sits between Westlands and Gigiri, a short drive from the United Nations Headquarters, embassies, and Nairobi landmarks such as Village Market, Sarit Centre, and Westgate Shopping Mall. The Rosslyn Campus is situated near the Thigiri campus, on a site surrounded by green spaces and tree-lined roads, with access to the Waiyaki Way–Red Hill Link Road for seamless connectivity to the wider city.

Stages

Early Years spans ages 1-6. Prep School covers ages 6-11, and Senior School covers ages 11-18. The school operates across two campuses, Thigiri and Rosslyn, to serve these levels.

Type

The school is an international branch of Durham UK. It operates two Nairobi campuses, Thigiri and Rosslyn. It follows the British education system through Durham UK.

Pupil Nationality Mix

Students come from diverse language and cultural backgrounds. The membership looks like the United Nations. This international character reflects the Nairobi setting of the school.

Country affiliation

Affiliated with Durham UK.

Fees

Annual tuition at Durham International School Kenya ranges from KES 350 to KES 19,950 for 2026/27.

School fees — Academic year 2026/27

Termly tuition (per year group) — amounts are USD per term
- Little Durham (age 1–2): Term 1 USD 2,370 · Term 2 USD 2,370 · Term 3 USD 2,370 · Annual (3 terms) USD 7,110.
- Playgroup — Morning (age 2–3): Term 1 USD 2,370 · Term 2 USD 2,370 · Term 3 USD 2,370 · Annual USD 7,110.
- Playgroup — Extended Morning (age 2–3): Term 1 USD 2,740 · Term 2 USD 2,740 · Term 3 USD 2,740 · Annual USD 8,220.
- Playgroup — Full Day (age 2–3): Term 1 USD 3,050 · Term 2 USD 3,050 · Term 3 USD 3,050 · Annual USD 9,150.
- Foundation Stage 1 (FS1) — standard day (age 3–4): Term 1 USD 2,740 · Term 2 USD 2,740 · Term 3 USD 2,740 · Annual USD 8,220.
- Foundation Stage 1 (FS1) — Full Day (age 3–4): Term 1 USD 3,050 · Term 2 USD 3,050 · Term 3 USD 3,050 · Annual USD 9,150.
- Foundation Stage 2 (FS2) (age 4–5): Term 1 USD 3,420 · Term 2 USD 3,420 · Term 3 USD 3,420 · Annual USD 10,260.
- Year 1 (age 5–6): Term 1 USD 3,730 · Term 2 USD 3,730 · Term 3 USD 3,730 · Annual USD 11,190.
- Year 2 (age 6–7): Term 1 USD 4,570 · Term 2 USD 4,570 · Term 3 USD 4,570 · Annual USD 13,710.
- Year 3 (age 7–8): Term 1 USD 5,250 · Term 2 USD 5,250 · Term 3 USD 5,250 · Annual USD 15,750.
- Year 4 (age 8–9): Term 1 USD 5,250 · Term 2 USD 5,250 · Term 3 USD 5,250 · Annual USD 15,750.
- Year 5 (age 9–10): Term 1 USD 5,780 · Term 2 USD 5,780 · Term 3 USD 5,780 · Annual USD 17,340.
- Year 6 (age 10–11): Term 1 USD 5,780 · Term 2 USD 5,780 · Term 3 USD 5,780 · Annual USD 17,340.
- Year 7 (age 11–12): Term 1 USD 6,050 · Term 2 USD 6,050 · Term 3 USD 6,050 · Annual USD 18,150.
- Year 8 (age 12–13): Term 1 USD 6,050 · Term 2 USD 6,050 · Term 3 USD 6,050 · Annual USD 18,150.
- Year 9 (age 13–14): Term 1 USD 6,250 · Term 2 USD 6,250 · Term 3 USD 6,250 · Annual USD 18,750.
- Year 10 (age 14–15): Term 1 USD 6,650 · Term 2 USD 6,650 · Term 3 USD 6,650 · Annual USD 19,950.

(Fees are denominated in USD; term amounts above are the published 2026/27 term figures.)

One-time and admission-related charges
- Assessment fee (new applicants): non-refundable USD 50 (payable at the assessment stage).
- Acceptance fee (to confirm a place on acceptance of the Letter of Offer): non-refundable USD 350.
- Security deposit: refundable and equivalent to one term's fees, payable at the same time as the Acceptance Fee; maximum refundable security deposit capped at USD 4,500. The security deposit will be refunded when a student leaves the school, subject to the required notice being given.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Fees are billed termly: school fees are divided into termly instalments, payable in advance and due by the first day of each term.
- Fees include tuition, lunch and snacks, school co-curricular activities, most excursions, and ambulance services for 2026/27. Fees are quoted in USD.

Discounts and reductions
- Sibling discount: 5% reduction on the term's fee for the 1st sibling; 7.5% reduction on the 2nd sibling and every subsequent child enrolled (applies to the siblings in the lower year groups; children must be enrolled full time).
- Early payment discount: 5% discount when the full annual fees are paid on or before the first day of the academic year. Families may choose either the Early Payment Discount or the Sibling Discount; only one discount may be applied per family.

Meals, transport and other routine costs
- Meals: for 2026/27, termly fees for all year groups include lunch and snacks; both campuses are nut-free zones. Lunch service schedules vary by year group.
- Transport: bus services are available to and from multiple neighbourhoods across Nairobi (examples given include Karen, Lavington/Kileleshwa, Rosslyn/Runda). Specific routes and transport fees are not published on the fees schedule.
- Uniforms, personal stationery, special external exam fees (where applicable), optional external trips or camps, and certain specialist services may incur additional costs not covered by the standard term fees; the published term fees explicitly cover most excursions and co-curricular activities but do not itemise every optional charge.

Boarding
- Boarding is not listed in the 2026/27 published fees; Durham International School Kenya is operating as a day school (boarding facilities are not included in the published fee schedule). Plans to develop boarding have been indicated for future phases, but no boarding fees are published for 2026/27.

Refunds and notice of withdrawal
- Assessment fee and Acceptance fee are non-refundable.
- Security deposit is refundable subject to the required notice being given when a student leaves.
- A full term's notice is required when a student leaves the school or when an accepted place is cancelled. If full term's notice is not given, a full term's fee is payable in lieu of notice; this amount may be offset against the security deposit where applicable.

Fee payment options (published information)
- The school's published fees page and associated fee schedule do not list specific payment methods (for example, bank transfer account details, card payment processors, or online payment portals are not published on the 2026/27 fees page). The school's public contact details include an email address (info@durhamkenya.com) and a phone number listed on the contact page.

Important operational notes and reserve rights
- School timings, specific service schedules, and the right to alter fees and terms and conditions are subject to change; the school states it reserves the right to alter fees and terms with reasonable notice. Parents should note that certain specifics (for example, transport route fees, uniform charges, or optional trip fees) are not itemised in the published term figures.
Academics

Durham International School Kenya teaches EYFS (Early years foundation stage), British Curriculum, Cambridge IGCSE, IB (DP), Cambridge A Levels for students aged 1 to 18.

Curriculum

Durham Kenya blends academics, co-curricular activities and pastoral care to prepare students for future education and life. The Early Years follows the UK's EYFS framework with four year groups and seven Areas of Learning and Development. Key Stage One and Key Stage Two build reading, writing and mathematics foundations and introduce science, history and geography, with increasing depth. Key Stage Three and beyond develop problem-solving, analytical thinking and communication skills, and KS3 informs Year 9 IGCSE option choices. Assessment is continuous from the Early Years, with an online journal for parent updates and ongoing progress tracking from Year 1. Grow with Durham links KS3 to Key Stage Four and Sixth Form; the Sixth Form will commence in September 2028 with IB or A Level offerings and dedicated university and careers guidance.

Higher Education Progression

A university and careers guidance program will help each student plan the next stage of their education, including personal statement writing, interview preparation and course selection.

Admissions

Admissions

1. Enquiry: Prospective families email the school using the enquiry form on the website. The school responds to the enquiry by email and invites you to arrange a visit at a mutually convenient time. You will also be invited to complete a registration form to formalise your interest in applying to Durham International School. This begins the admissions process. 2. Registration of Interest: Durham confirms interest by email and invites a visit and completion of a registration form to formalise the application. 3. Assessment Invitation: Following registration, prospective students sit an age-appropriate assessment to evaluate academic and personal aptitudes. This may be completed during the visit with your child, depending on age. The assessment carries a non-refundable fee of USD 50. Students already at Durham International School have automatic entry into the next Year Group. 4. Offer of Admission: Successful candidates receive an official offer of a place at Durham International School. The offer letter confirms the start date and Year Group and includes information on accepting the place and joining details. 5. Acceptance of Offer: Families who wish to accept the offer must complete the Acceptance of a Place form and pay an Acceptance Fee of USD 350, along with a Security Deposit (refundable at the end of your child's time at the school, subject to required notice). These payments secure the student's enrolment. Source: turn1view0

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