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Peponi School

Kenya, Nairobi

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees KES 2,055,570 - 4,361,610
Ages 12 - 18 years
Pupil numbers 352
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1989
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE
Taught languages French, Swahili, Spanish
Typical class size 22
Strengths Sport, Visual and Creative Arts, Outdoor Education
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Community and Service
Stages Secondary School, Sixth Form
Introduction

Peponi School is an independent coeducational day and boarding school located just north of Nairobi, Kenya, serving pupils aged 12 to 18. The curriculum follows Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels and A Levels, with Pearson Edexcel IGCSE as an option, delivered by staff who emphasise small class sizes and differentiated learning from Shell (Year 9) through Upper Sixth (Year 13). The school blends Kenyan heritage with a traditional British international education guided by the founders' motto ‘Every child matters.' The fifty-acre Peponi Senior School campus at Ruiru offers a Main Hall for performances, a School Chapel, and a recording studio, plus extensive Art, Photography and Design facilities and a Music department that supports ensembles and productions. The academic programme sits alongside a strong sports culture, the Talented Athlete Programme and KAISSO, and a robust outdoor education offering. A wide range of clubs and societies—academic, arts and community service—complement learning and personal development, with transport arrangements for international pupils.

The Essentials

Peponi School has 352 pupils, typical class sizes of 22, instruction in English.

Location
Rural campus just outside Nairobi, East Africa.

Stages
Shell (Year 9) to Upper Sixth (Year 13). The year groups are organised as Shell (Year 9); Lower and Upper Fifth Form (Year 10–11); and Lower and Upper Sixth Form (Year 12–13).

Type
Independent coeducational school for both boarding and day pupils.

Additional learning support
Learning Support provides greater support for Special Education Needs and opportunities to stretch the gifted and talented.

Religious affiliation
Multi-faith.

School day structure
Boarding, weekly boarding and day pupil options. Games afternoon sessions are timetabled twice a week. A transport service includes a daily bus for day pupils (arrives 7:30am, departs 4:15pm) and a late bus at 5:30pm; a bespoke Weekly Boarding bus serves Nairobi and environs; airport transfers are provided for term starts/ends.

Bus service
A bespoke Weekly Boarding bus is provided, servicing Nairobi and its environs. There is a comprehensive transport service for day pupils with daily pick-up/drop-off to locations within Nairobi; the daily bus arrives at 7:30am and departs at 4:15pm, with a late bus at 5:30pm.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements
Day, Weekly Boarding and Full Boarding pupils at Peponi School all work together to create our community. All Houses offer full boarding, weekly boarding and day options. Full Boarding provides a home-from-home environment with on-site Common Rooms, weekend activities around Nairobi, chapel services and supervised prep; escorted transfers between Peponi School and Jomo Kenyatta International Airport are provided at the start and end of term. Weekly Boarding combines full boarding with family time on weekends, with all weekday meals provided and after-school activities, plus a weekly boarding bus serving Nairobi and its environs; Day pupils share a room in their House, with options to stay overnight for late activities and a daily transport service to locations around Nairobi.

Uniform Requirement
The uniform can be purchased from Haria Uniform Shop in Sarit Centre, Nairobi. All Peponi School Uniform (except the VI Form Striped Tie) is held at Haria Outfitters, with staff able to assist. The Games Kit is held at Tessens Sports Services; garments are ordered online and delivered to Peponi School ahead of the academic year.

Food Options
All weekday meals are provided for weekly boarders.

House System
The school uses a house system with Sedge House, Chala House, Elementaita House, Jipe House and Magadi House. Each House supports pastoral care and participates in House events and competitions.
Fees

Annual tuition at Peponi School ranges from KES 2,055,570 to KES 4,361,610 for 2026/27.

Application & one‑off entry charges

- Registration fee: KES 7,500.
- Acceptance fee (to confirm an offered place at Peponi School): KES 15,000.
- Caution deposit (refundable) for Kenyan residents: KES 500,000.
- Caution deposit (refundable) for non‑Kenyan residents: KES 700,000.
- Pupil's Pass (where required for pupils whose parents are not Kenyan citizens or residents): KES 10,000.

Tuition and boarding (per term — three terms per academic year) — Peponi Senior School (Years 9–13: Shell, Lower VI, Upper VI etc.)

- Full boarding (per term): KES 1,453,870.
- Weekly boarding (per term): KES 1,373,495.
- Day pupil tuition (per term): KES 976,370.
- A sibling discount applies to tuition/day fees: 5% for the second child and 10% for subsequent children (discount applies to tuition/day fees across Peponi Schools; full fees are charged to the eldest child).

Tuition (per term) for Peponi House / Preparatory levels (Years 1–8) — noted here for families moving through the Peponi schools

- Registration fee (Peponi House): KES 5,000 (non‑refundable).
- Caution deposit (Peponi House, refundable): KES 350,000.
- Year 1 (per term): KES 685,190.
- Year 2 (per term): KES 758,755.
- Years 3–8 (per term): KES 824,300.
- Year 6: school‑supplied iPad (one‑off cost for pupils joining Year 6): KES 83,200 (cost may be spread over instalments according to the school's arrangements for that intake).

Billing schedule and payment terms

- The academic year is billed in three terms; tuition and boarding charges are shown as a per‑term amount and are payable on the termly billing schedule.
- To accept a formally offered place, parents must complete the acceptance form and pay the caution deposit within the acceptance period (parents have a limited period to accept an offer once made).
- If a place is not taken up after acceptance, the caution deposit is not refundable. When a pupil leaves the school, the caution deposit is refunded provided the required written notice is given.
- If a pupil is withdrawn other than at the normal leaving date (end of Upper VI/Year 13), the school requires one term's written notice or payment of one term's fee in lieu of notice.

Boarding specifics

- Boarding fee levels are shown above as termly charges and differ by full boarding and weekly boarding. Boarding places are secured by payment of the required acceptance/caution deposit and subsequent termly boarding fee payments.

Other costs and chargeable extras

- Uniform and games kit: school uniform is purchased from Haria Outfitters (Haria Outfitters Ltd — Sarit Centre and Junction Mall outlets) and the full Games Kit is supplied via Tessen Sports Services. Parents should budget separately for uniform and kit purchases; suppliers set their own prices.
- Peripatetic and specialist lessons (for example individual instrumental lessons) and some extracurricular providers charge separate fees; these are invoiced individually and are payable in addition to termly tuition. Invoices for peripatetic lessons are payable either to the individual teacher/provider or via the school as stated on the invoice.
- Miscellaneous trip, activity or exam charges (including any international trip or exam entry fees) are charged as required and are additional to tuition and boarding. (Specific amounts for trips and optional activities are billed when those activities are arranged.)

Refunds and notice

- The caution deposit is refundable when the pupil leaves the school provided the school's required written notice (one term's notice) has been given.
- If a place is accepted but then not taken up, the caution deposit is not refundable.
- If a parent withdraws a pupil other than at the normal leaving date, the parent must provide one term's written notice or pay one term's fee in lieu of notice.

Fee payment options

- The Peponi Schools accept electronic/mobile payments for certain items and activities (for example M‑PESA is used for registration and activity payments at some Peponi sites and for some external providers).
- Parents may also use bank transfer or cheque arrangements (details and the preferred payee account are provided by the school's finance office when completing admission/acceptance documentation or when an invoice is issued). Some third‑party activity providers and suppliers accept M‑PESA paybill/till payments; proof of payment is normally required when paying via mobile channels.

Practical notes for budgeting

- All figures above are termly where shown; multiply per‑term figures by three to estimate an annual total (term count = three).
- Expect additional one‑off or annual costs beyond the termly tuition/boarding charge: registration/acceptance fees, caution deposit (refundable subject to notice rules), uniform and sports kit, individual lessons, trip/exam charges and any specific year‑group requirements (for example the Year 6 iPad charge at the preparatory level).
Academics

Peponi School teaches Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International AS Levels, Cambridge A Levels, Pearson Edexcel IGCSE for students aged 12 to 18.

Curriculum
The curriculum aims to realise each pupil's potential across academics, athletics, pastoral care and social development. It offers a range of academic options with small class sizes to provide individualised attention and differentiated learning. The year groups span from Shell (Year 9) to Upper Sixth (Year 13), with Mathematics, all three Sciences, English Language and English Literature as compulsory subjects, and pupils are prepared for IGCSE examinations by a dedicated staff.

Student Teacher Ratio
Small class sizes enable individualized attention.

Exam Results
The school has received Pearson Learner Awards for top performers, including a pupil achieving the highest mark in Kenya in Chemistry for Pearson IGCSE.

Higher Education Progression
The Careers Department runs a structured programme for Years 9 to A Level, providing careers guidance and information to enable tailored career choices; by the time pupils reach A Level, progress is evident. Former pupils have progressed to universities worldwide, including the University of Toronto (Aerospace Engineering), the University of Glasgow (Biochemistry) and CEU Cardinal Herrera (Medicine).

Gifted and Talented
The learning support department provides greater support for special educational needs and explores opportunities to stretch the gifted and talented.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)
The school places pupils' wellbeing as its number one priority. The Pastoral structure centers on House and Tutorial systems that create a harmonious, family-style community where students can thrive in work, rest and play. Each pupil has a Personal Tutor who supports social and emotional development alongside academic progress. PSHE lessons are delivered across year groups and followed up in assemblies and Tutor time. The Honour Code fosters respect, trust and community throughout the school. Boarding and day pupils benefit from a nurturing environment that promotes resilience, leadership and strong communication.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)
Learning Support provides inclusive education for pupils with additional needs. The SENCo leads the Learning Support Department, supported by Learning Support Teachers and Assistants. Identification of needs occurs through assessments, with the cycle of support: Assess, Plan, and Do. Interventions include in-class support, withdrawal support, transition support, and exam access arrangements (extra time, reader, scribe, modified papers). A team of professionals including a School Counsellor, School Nurse, Speech and Language Therapist and Education Psychologist collaborates to ensure appropriate support. Pupils with SEND make progress through targeted intervention and a differentiated curriculum.

English as an Additional Language (EAL)
English is taught as an additional language (EAL) for pupils who join the school and are not fluent in English. The policy recognises multilingualism as an asset and sets high expectations with appropriate support. EAL provision takes an integrated approach to language and content, with holistic assessment and emphasis on social inclusion. Provision includes curriculum modification within lessons, targeted reading, writing, speaking and listening targets, and language-focused teaching strategies. Visual supports, additional verbal support, and opportunities for speaking and listening are provided, with attention to the language features of each subject. Home language use is encouraged where appropriate, and pupils may be grouped with peers at similar language development.

Mental Wellbeing
The school prioritises mental wellbeing through its pastoral system. The House and Tutorial structure create a supportive, family-style community where pupils can thrive in work, rest and play. Each pupil has a Personal Tutor who is a key link between pupil, staff and parent, guiding wellbeing and progress. PSHE lessons provide regular coverage of personal, social and health education, reinforcing wellbeing across the year groups. The school provides access to counsellors and a medical team to support emotional health, and the overall environment fosters resilience, confidence and compassionate leadership.

Safeguarding
The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of every child. The pastoral structure supports safeguarding through the House and Tutorial system, coordinating with parents, staff and the medical team to ensure safety and welfare. The Honour Code promotes respect, trust and community, contributing to a safe and secure school culture. The safeguarding framework underpins all aspects of student life, including housing, activities and academics. The school maintains policies and procedures to address safeguarding concerns and promote safe behaviours across the school community.
Parent Experience

History
Peponi School was founded in 1985 on spiritual principles to provide nurture and high-quality education. It blends Kenyan heritage with a traditional British international education, enhanced by a unique African setting. The three schools—Peponi House Kabete Kindergarten, Peponi House, and Peponi School—are connected by the founders' value ‘Every child matters'. The campus is a spacious rural site just outside Nairobi, and the school offers boarding and day pupils, making it one of East Africa's leading independent coeducational schools.

Community
Peponi describes itself as an international, multicultural, and multi-faith family where pupils respect differences. It emphasizes a family-like community with small class sizes and a nurturing approach to wellbeing. The Peponian Society connects current and past pupils, parents, and staff through social events, reunions, and networking to sustain lifelong ties within the Peponi family.

Parent Teacher Association (PTA)
The Peponi House PTA exists to involve parents more in the school community. All parents are members and can participate; Class Representatives liaise between the PTA and the parent body. The PTA aims include communication through class representatives, termly social events, fundraising (e.g., the annual fête), and providing a channel for parental ideas, with a complaints policy linked to the school.
Facilities

Facilities Overview
The Peponi Senior School campus sits on fifty acres at Ruiru, just north of Nairobi. The school serves pupils aged 13 to 18 years. The Main Hall hosts performances, and a School Chapel and a recording studio support music and school events. Art, Photography and Design facilities are extensive, with a broad range of media and materials taught in well-equipped spaces. The campus is connected by road, air and bus links, and escorted pick-up and drop-off is arranged for international pupils.

Sports Facilities
Peponi Senior School offers one of the most comprehensive sports programmes in East Africa. The programme focuses on great games, individual progress, life lessons, magic moments, positive attitudes and competitive spirit under international-class mentors and coaches. The school is a member of the Kenyan Association of International Schools Sport Organisation (KAISSO) and hosts KAISSO competitions as well as weekly inter-school fixtures. The Talented Athlete Programme (TAP) exposes pupils with high levels of ability to develop performance sport, mental skills, athletic development, rehabilitation and mentorship. Mental skills and mentorship are integral to the programme, with workshops and guided reflection to support leadership and strategic thinking.

Academic Facilities
Art, Photography and Design facilities enable pupils to develop technical skills in 2D and 3D media, taking ideas from conception to realisation. The Arts department teaches a wide range of media and techniques and encourages collaboration with Music and Drama. The Music department features an extensive suite of teaching and practice rooms and a recording studio, with performances in the School Hall and Chapel. Drama is taught at GCSE and A Level, with regular extra-curricular opportunities to perform on stage, including annual school productions. Dance and other creative arts are integrated into the curriculum and extra-curricular calendar, supported by a thriving arts culture.

Extra Curricular Facilities
Peponi House has an active Scouts company with weekly sessions and outward bound trips to Nyeri, Sagana and Lake Naivasha. The Outdoor Programme offers activities including rock climbing (indoor and outdoor), mountain biking, kayaking, archery, horse riding, paddle boarding, abseiling and bouldering, high ropes and low ropes, and teambuilding. The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award (President's Award) provides Bronze in Shell and Silver and Gold levels, with many pupils achieving recognition. The Peponi School Expedition Society (PEST) runs termly trips to remote areas in Kenya and East Africa, with residential expeditions and a calendar of exploration days. The programme also features annual ski trips to Switzerland and cultural and sports tours to the UK, Europe, South Africa, Holland and Zimbabwe.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual
Academic societies and practical activity clubs allow pupils to explore areas of interest and develop new skills outside the classroom. Activities run in ring-fenced time slots before school, at lunchtimes, and after school; Shell pupils complete the President's Award Bronze and musicians must include at least one music-based activity. The programme includes East African Model United Nations (EAMUN), MSMUN (Middle School Model United Nations) and World Scholars among other clubs.

Arts & Creative
Art, Photography and Design develop a wide spectrum of media and techniques, enabling pupils to become confident in their creative practice and to culminate in a school Art Competition and Exhibition. Dance features a strong Inter-House competition with pupil-led stage productions and performances in the Main Hall. Drama provides both GCSE/A level instruction and extra-curricular theatre, including Inter-House drama competitions and the annual school play. Music is central to the arts, with a large teaching staff, ensembles, a recording studio and activities such as Battle of the Bands, choir, orchestra and music production.

Cultural & Language
Mandarin is offered as part of language activities. East African Model United Nations (EAMUN) and MSMUN provide Model UN experiences. World Scholars is included in the extracurricular programme.

Social & Hobbies
The Peponi Post (school magazine) sits among social and hobby clubs, alongside Chess, Calligraphy, Photography and Dance. Kayaking and Young Enterprise are also offered as activities. Activities take place before school, at lunchtimes, and after school.

Community & Service
Community Service is part of the Peponi Outdoor Pursuits and related activities, including teaching and mentoring the less fortunate. Each year group supports charities such as Jaipur Foot, St Peter's School, Kangemi Resource Centre, Nairobi Remand Centre, NEST Children's Home, Friends of City Park and Kamili. The President's Award highlights service projects, with the Lower Sixth Silver Community Service project carried out in marginalized communities.

Leadership & Professional
The President's Award provides leadership development through Bronze, Silver and Gold levels, with Bronze completed by Shell (Year 9) and Silver by Fifth Form and Gold by Sixth Form. Young Enterprise offers entrepreneurship opportunities. PAWS (Peponi Animal and Wildlife Society) provides leadership-related activity within the school's outdoor and environmental focus.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing
The sport programme offers a broad range of activities in East Africa and emphasizes wellbeing, teamwork and personal growth. It is linked with KAISSO membership and weekly inter-school fixtures across multiple sports. The Talented Athlete Programme (TAP) offers mental skills and sport science support, plus mentorship and athletic development. Sports colours are awarded and end-of-year sporting awards recognise achievement.
Languages

Language Provision
The Modern Foreign Languages offered are Kiswahili, French and Spanish. In Shell (Year 9), these languages are compulsory. From Year 1 onwards, pupils choose between French and Spanish as an additional language and continue with their chosen language through to Year 8. To study a language at Key Stage 4, a minimum grade of C in the Shell end-of-year examination is required.
Admissions

Admissions
1. Enquiry. After reading the prospectus, looking at the website or visiting the School, begin the admissions process by filling the Enquiry Form on the site or by contacting the School's Registrar. The Enquiry Form is available online in the admissions section.
2. Registration. At entry, parents complete a registration form and pay a non-refundable registration fee. Registration does not guarantee a place and places the pupil's name within the application process. Each pupil is registered using their full name as per passport or birth certificate.
3. Assessment. For Years 3–13, all applicants complete an entry assessment to ensure the School can meet the child's needs and attend the assessment; the child's most recent report from their current school plus any other professional reports related to learning (e.g., Educational Psychologist) are requested. For children outside the Nairobi area, the current school may be sent an assessment under the same conditions, and a reference from the current school/learning environment is needed. For Kindergarten and Years 1–2, assessment may be informal during play for entry into Kindergarten; Year 1–2 entrants are invited to attend an assessment conducted by the Head of Pre Prep and Pre Prep teachers, including a phonics check, reading, assessments of language understanding and basic number recognition, lasting about one hour on a chosen date.
4. Scholarships. Peponi School welcomes applications for scholarships and exhibitions at 13+ entry and 16+ entry; there are a number of awards available in a wide range of pupil activity. The aim is to reward and encourage pupils to excel and to strive for the very best in their endeavours. More information on scholarships can be found on the Scholarships page of the site.
5. Offer of a Place. Following the completion of all aspects of the Entry Procedure, the Head will decide whether to offer a place for a child and the year group. Admission will be subject to the availability of a place and a child satisfying any admission requirements at the time. The School will offer a place to a child by way of a letter to the parents; parents will also be sent an acceptance form and a copy of the School enrolment contract. To accept, all those with parental responsibility must complete, sign and return the acceptance form together with a payment of the caution deposit and copies of the child's passport and birth certificate. Parents have three weeks to accept or the place may be forfeited.
6. Waiting List. The School will not hold open places for children if the deposit is not paid and their names will be added to the waiting list. When oversubscribed, a waiting list is operated; provided the registration form has been filled, the registration fee paid and assessment taken, a child can join the waiting list. Places that become available will be allocated according to the admissions policy criteria and not necessarily on the length of time on the waiting list. The waiting list is reviewed whenever a child is added to or removed from the waiting list and at the end of each school year; a child's name may remain on the waiting list for the following school year at the parents' request, and if a child remains on the waiting list, they may be required to take another assessment.

Scholarships
Scholarships and Exhibitions are available for 13+ entry and 16+ entry; awards cover a wide range of pupil activity and aim to reward academic or extracurricular excellence. The 16+ entry process for Lower VI/Year 12 involves an academic assessment with three parts: Part I – compulsory papers in Mathematics, English and General Paper; Part II – a choice of two option papers; Part III – an extended writing piece of 800–1000 words. Applications for 2026 entry are open for 16+; 13+ scholarships offer Academic, Specialist (music, art, drama, or sport), and All-Rounder awards. Applications for September 2027 entry open in September 2026. For more details, see the 16+ Scholarship Handbook and the 13+ Scholarship Handbook on the Scholarships page.

Waitlist
Oversubscription leads to a waiting list. The School operates a waiting list once all places are allocated; joining requires a completed registration form, paid registration fee and an assessment. Places are allocated according to admissions policy criteria and not simply by time on the waiting list; the waiting list is reviewed on additions/removals and at the end of each school year; a child on the waiting list may remain on the list for the next year upon parental request and may be required to take another assessment.
School Events
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