Location – 31 Nyahururu Rd, Gilgil, Kenya
Website – http://www.pembrokehouse.sc.ke/
Contact – +254 711 875972
Pembroke House School has been around for close to one hundred years now. The school occupies an astounding 140 acres of beautiful countryside in Kenya. At Pembroke, the focus is not just about learning inside classrooms but also exploring the vast rivers and forests of Kenya.
Founded in 1927, the school has grown and developed into what it is today thanks to the philosophy of letting kids know that it is good to feel known, supported, and challenged at the same time. That philosophy will be guiding the operations of the school in the future years, including during the celebration of the school’s centenary in 2027.
Learning Goes Beyond Classrooms
While Pembroke House has a lot of academics, the learning processes at the school go well beyond that. In addition to studying in the classroom and taking exams, pupils learn through experiences.
The school has an adventure learning programme designed specifically for Years 5 and 6. It was designed by Pembroke’s teachers with the goal of transforming ideas and concepts into actions and experiences. Some of the things that pupils learn include orientation, building shelters, mechanics, bridge building, butterfly classification, and navigation using semaphores and compasses.
This kind of programme instills a spirit of curiosity, problem-solving, independence, and confidence in pupils through real-life experiences. Alongside academic programs such as Think Equal in the early years, these programmes help in fostering empathy, emotional intelligence, and character development.
The end result of the above is a well-rounded education that equips pupils for life.
A Truly International Community
With 29 nationalities represented in Pembroke, the community at the school is quite diverse.
What is distinctive about this school is the combination of the international outlook with the East African setting. Children learn in the context of Kenyan culture and environment. This is a place where pupils learn both how to become global citizens and how to relate to their local environment.
Alongside the English language, students learn Kiswahili, giving them a deeper appreciation of Kenya’s language, culture, and everyday life. They also study French, enhancing their multilingual abilities and preparing them to communicate confidently in an increasingly interconnected world. Throughout the school, values such as integrity, compassion, and respect are woven into daily life, helping pupils develop a strong sense of identity while learning to engage meaningfully with others.
Meaningful Connections with the Wider Community
Pembroke believes that children need to be connected to the outside world during their education process. That is why the school partners with various organizations.
The school’s partnership with Gilgil Vumbi – a grassroots rugby program which supports children in the neighbouring communities – is highly appreciated by the pupils. They get to develop themselves in the areas of leadership, team-working, and social responsibility. At the same time, this enables them to make a contribution to the region.
Another distinctive thing about Pembroke is the location in the Rift Valley. It gives children an opportunity to learn about ecology, conservation, and sustainability in order to become responsible stewards of the environment.
The strong relations that Pembroke maintains with some leading senior schools in the UK prepare pupils for excellent results at Common Entrance examinations.
Supporting Every Child’s Individual Journey
Pembroke House knows how important it is to understand children as individuals. Small class sizes give an opportunity to understand the strengths, weaknesses, and needs of pupils. Whenever a pupil requires additional help in any area, whether it is academic support, additional challenge or language support, this school provides tailor-made help.
Even children coming from the non-English speaking backgrounds receive academic and pastoral support which allows them to develop impressively fast. Pembroke’s culture ensures that differences are perceived not as obstacles but as something natural and valuable.
Well-Being as a Key to Future Success
As a boarding school, Pembroke is responsible not only for the academic side of the development of children but also for their wellbeing.
Houseparents, tutors, and pastoral staff are working hard in order to make sure that all pupils at the school feel safe and supported. Device-free policy is one of the best wellbeing programmes of the school. This means that children are not burdened with the stress of using screens and social media; instead, they are given an opportunity to make true friends, develop independence, and enjoy childhood.
Physical activity, outdoor spaces, healthy routines, and a strong sense of community contribute to the creation of a supportive environment.
Balancing Tradition and Innovation
Pembroke does not follow a technology-for-the-sake-of-technology approach but introduces it wherever it adds value to the learning process.
Coding, robotics, and STEAM-related learning activities are included into the programme. The school also teaches digital literacy to allow pupils to critically assess information and use technology wisely. Starting from Year 4, children begin using Chromebooks.
At the same time, Pembroke House School preserves some of the traditions, for example, pupils still write letters home, use printed books, and take part in hands-on learning activities. The message is that technology is supposed to serve learning, not distract from it.
Excellence Through Challenge and Care
Pembroke develops an environment where pupils know that they are expected to be the best that they can be. Teachers inspire pupils to aim high and provide the necessary support for achieving that aim.
Intelligence curiosity, perseverance, and learning from mistakes are cultivated by the school. All of that leads to excellent results.
Among the pupils who left the school in 2025-2026, 43% managed to secure scholarships at their next schools.
Looking Towards a Second Century
Celebrating the 100th anniversary in the next few years, Pembroke House School is entering a new era. The ten-year strategy of the school includes a new Junior School building, a dedicated Pre-Prep facility, expansion of sustainability initiatives, and further investments in leadership and education excellence.
Nevertheless, Pembroke House School remains true to its mission no matter how much it changes.
The school is dedicated to developing young men and women who are academically capable, emotionally resilient, socially responsible, and ready to make a positive impact on the world.