The Asian Weekly – 02 February 2020
One of the oldest schools in England has revealed plans to open a sister school in Africa. Durham School, founded in 1414 and re-founded in 1541 by King Henry VIII, intends to open the new international school in Kenya – its first in Africa – later this year. The news follows the success of Durham School for Girls Doha, which opened in September 2019 with 560 students – the highest achieved by any new international school in Qatar.
Once opened, Durham will be the first UK-based school to open an international arm in East Africa. Having signed a strategic agreement with the Studybridge Group to lead the opening of Durham International Schools in Africa, plans for Kenya were discussed on the sidelines of the UK-Africa Investment Summit, which took place last week in London.
The Headmaster of Durham School – Kieran McLaughlin said, “With over 600 years of ed-ucation experience, there is a phenomenal amount Durham School has to offer children and parents in East Africa. We are excited with the opportunity that Africa presents and are confident that Durham International Schools will be highly sought after by parents looking for high quality, all-round education for their children at a competitive fee level.”
Director of International Operations for Durham School – Nick Millen OBE, added, “Durham School will maintain very strong links with each International School, providing governance and quality oversight together with professional development and exchange opportunities.”
Durham School has been at the forefront of education in England 600 years and offers a rounded education to its day and boarding pupils, aged 3-18.
With a prestigious reputation for excellence, Durham School aims to prepare its students with a ”Confidence for Life” and with the skills required to tackle the challenges of the 21st century whilst retaining a sense of traditional values. Moral integrity, Ambition, Responsibility, and Kindness are the MARK of a Durham School education.
Managing Director of Studybridge – Brijesh Bakhda explained, “We have already made considerable progress planning the first Durham International School in Africa, which will be in Nairobi. We are confident in the long term prospects that the capital offers and believe that parents and students in Nairobi will welcome the quality and ethos of education that Durham offers.” Studybridge is focused on educational opportunities in Africa. The Group will invest in setting up new schools and will look to partner with local real estate developers as it expands into new African markets.
Supporting the Durham initiative for Africa, Lord Popat, the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Rwanda and Uganda, said, “It is wonderful to see Durham School, a 600-year old British institution, enter Africa. With a fast growing middle class and an increasing demand for high quality schooling, I’m sure Durham will be well received.”
The school plans to initially open for nursery entry (ages 3-6) in September 2020 with primary and secondary phases to follow.
