Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation
We are delighted to celebrate the continued growth of Durham International School Nairobi, Kenya.
Founded in January 2021, the school quickly established itself as a centre of excellence in British education overseas. Following the UK’s Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the English National Curriculum, it combines academic rigour with a rich programme of co-curricular opportunities — from sport and music to creative arts, languages, and exploration of the nearby Karura Forest.
This year, Durham International School has expanded with the opening of its new Rosslyn campus, just a ten-minute drive from the original site in Thigiri. Nestled among embassies and the African headquarters of the United Nations, Rosslyn is very much a Durham School, guided by our MARK values and the Three Pillars of academic excellence, co-curricular participation, and pastoral care, while being embedded in Kenya and its local context.
The original Thigiri campus will continue to flourish as the Pre-Prep, while Rosslyn will grow into a full through-school offering education all the way to A Levels. Currently a day school, there are also plans to develop boarding in the future.
We are also delighted to welcome Peter Harris as Head. Formerly Head of Birkdale School in Sheffield, an HMC school, Peter brings a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to the values Durham represents.
In a message to mark the opening, our Principal, Dr Michael Alderson, shared:
“On behalf of everyone at Durham School UK I’m delighted to send our best wishes and congratulations to Durham International School Nairobi. In an outstanding location, and building on its already excellent reputation, Durham International School Nairobi will draw on our shared heritage and tradition to write the next chapter in the exciting story based around a strong academic curriculum, a healthy lifestyle of co-curricular participation and performance, and living and learning in a community of shared values and virtue.
Our relationship with Durham International School, Nairobi is incredibly special to us. I love Nairobi, the place and the people, and I’m very much looking forward to visiting you later this term. From here in Durham in the United Kingdom, we send our very best wishes for the start of the new academic year and this exciting phase in our story together.”
One Durham community
The partnership between Durham UK and Nairobi is rooted in over 600 years of educational heritage and our shared MARK values — Moral Integrity, Ambition, Responsibility, and Kindness.
For pupils in both Durham and Nairobi, these values continue to shape lives of purpose and possibility. Together, we are building One Durham Community across continents — nurturing the next generation of global citizens.
