Pembroke House School

Pembroke House is located just outside Gilgil, on Nyahururu Road, Gilgil, Kenya. It sits on a 140-acre countryside campus in the Great Rift Valley, about two and a half hours' drive north of Nairobi. The climate is cooler, at around 1,900 metres above sea level.

Nursery - Reception (Pre-Prep) and Prep; ages 6 months to 13 years.

The school is a co-educational British-curriculum prep school with boarding and day pupils.

Kenya

Pembroke House follows the British National Curriculum in Pre-Prep, Junior and Middle Schools, adapting it to reflect East African heritage and setting. English, Kiswahili, French and Kenyan History are included in the core curriculum, alongside Adventure Learning, STEAM and Design Technology. In Years 7 and 8, most subjects transition to the British Common Entrance curriculum to prepare for the Common Entrance exams in June of Year 8. The school benefits from 140 acres of Rift Valley surroundings used to reinforce learning. The core curriculum is delivered to all pupils at no extra cost beyond the standard fees.

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139 A or A grades were awarded at Common Entrance in 2024, and there is a 100% pass rate for music and LAMDA exams.

Pembroke places personal development, health and wellbeing at the heart of its all-round education. Pupils are guided to discover their identity, cope with challenge and contribute to the world around them, not just academically. The boarding environment, activities, leadership experiences and teamwork foster life skills such as resilience, respect and compassion. A Tutor system provides ongoing pastoral and academic support across year groups, and there is a visiting counsellor for additional mental health or emotional wellbeing support when needed. Wellbeing is supported by regular sport and outdoor learning, and the health centre provides on-site medical care with qualified nurses and access to a school doctor and specialists as needed.

Pembroke has a Learning Support Department based in the Coach House serving a wide range of educational needs. Every child who visits the Coach House has an Individual Education Plan (IEP), guiding targeted support and ensuring relevant staff are aware of targets. The department is staffed by specialist Learning Support teachers experienced in helping children with learning difficulties, with the option to arrange external Educational Psychologist assessments for more comprehensive reporting and exam access arrangements. Specific Learning Difficulties, such as dyslexia, are supported with tailored educational plans, specialist teachers and assistive technologies. Ten Learning Support sessions per academic term are included in fees, with additional lessons charged per session.

Pembroke supports English as an Additional Language with specialised online programs, in-class support and an immersive language experience. Interventions aim to improve language proficiency and integration into the school community.

The school prioritises wellbeing as part of its safeguarding and pastoral framework. A Tutor system supports pupils' emotional health, and a visiting counsellor provides additional mental health or emotional wellbeing support. Regular sport and physical activity strengthen wellbeing, and there is on-site medical care with nurses and access to a school doctor and visiting specialists as needed to support students' mental and physical health.

All staff are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The school operates a comprehensive Child Protection Policy, with staff receiving safeguarding training every term and a dedicated safeguarding team to ensure timely protection and support for pupils. The safeguarding framework is complemented by robust pastoral care, a tutor system and access to medical and counselling services to protect and support children in all aspects of school life.

1. Enquiry: Get in touch by telephone or email to discuss your child's needs and have questions answered. The process is designed to be straightforward and to guide families through the steps. The academic year starts in September and most children join then, though entry is possible at any point during the year. Pembroke House provides for babies from 6 months through to Year 8 (age 13).

2. Visit & taster: Families visit with their child to experience a school day. They can attend lessons, games and activities, wear the uniform, and even spend a night boarding. Tours are conducted by pupils and include meetings with the Head and relevant staff. The visit helps families assess fit and feel for Pembroke.

3. Register: Registration does not commit to a place and there is no registration fee. Register your child online and send two most recent school reports. Indicate in the registration form whether you intend to apply for a scholarship or bursary; there is a separate form for bursary applications.

4. Joining fee and securing a place: To secure a place, a joining fee of 300,000 Ksh is payable; 225,000 of which is refunded after the pupil's final term, provided obligations are met. The joining fee is not refunded if the place is not taken up. The joining fee secures the pupil's place for the year of entry.

5. Additional admissions details: The school is non-selective and does not require entry exams. Two recent school reports are required, and the Head may contact the previous school; safeguarding information may be sought. Siblings of current Pembroke pupils receive priority when places are restricted. Pembroke House can provide support for pupils with special educational needs if the Learning Support Department can accommodate them.

Scholarships are available at entry for those demonstrating exceptional talent in any field. A scholarship reduces the amount of fees payable. Potential scholars indicate their intention to apply in the registration form. They are assessed by relevant staff during their visit to the school.