Seven months. One commitment. No compromise.
Last year, as February’s Nairobi heat gave way to March’s long rains, Durham embarked on one of the city’s most ambitious educational developments – a new campus constructed and opened within just seven months.
The ground was broken on what would become Durham International School, Rosslyn campus. The timeline was exacting and the commitment unwavering. What followed was a remarkable feat of vision and collective endeavour.
True to that promise, on September 9, 2025, the echoes of construction gave way to something far more powerful: the sound of laughter and learning as students stepped through the gates for the first time.
Today, the Rosslyn campus stands not only as a completed project but as a thriving educational community – expanding at a pace rarely seen in Kenya’s international education sector.
Truly international, proudly Kenyan
Durham International School is a branch of Durham School UK, one of Britain’s oldest and most distinguished institutions, with a 600 year tradition of academic excellence. The enduring values of Moral integrity, Ambition, Responsibility and Kindness define the MARK of a Durham education and shape every dimension of school life.
In Nairobi, this heritage is combined with a forward looking educational model for a global generation. The campus embodies Kenya’s drive, ambition and entrepreneurial spirit, representing not merely the extension of a historic institution but the fulfilment of a shared vision: an education benchmarked against global standards, shaped for the Kenyan context, and anchored in a strong sense of community.
The response from families across the city has been exceptional. In a short time, enrolment has grown significantly, reflecting strong demand for an education that is genuinely international in outlook while remaining attentive to the needs of the families it serves.
That growth signals confidence in an institution defined not only by world class facilities but by academic excellence and a clear commitment to ensuring that every student is known, supported and challenged to achieve their full potential.
A sustainable campus designed for the future
Drawing inspiration from Kenya’s contemporary lodge aesthetic, the buildings at Durham’s Rosslyn campus incorporate natural stone cladding, shaded balconies and carefully planned open spaces that respond intelligently to the local climate. More than five hundred trees were planted prior to opening, embedding environmental stewardship from inception.
EDGE Advanced certification has already been secured, making it the first educational institution in Kenya to attain this level of sustainability accreditation and setting a new benchmark for infrastructure in the sector.
Facilities reflect the same ambition: a heated and covered 25 metre competition standard swimming pool, specialist laboratories, dedicated art and drama studios, and acoustically engineered music practice rooms. The result is an environment that combines distinctly Kenyan character with international standards of excellence.
Durham’s promise remains clear: to prepare young people for Confidence for Life. The Rosslyn campus gives tangible expression to that commitment – built to the highest standards, shaped with purpose, and designed to serve generations to come.
Year 9 and beyond
In the Senior School, Durham’s ethos is translated into structured academic progression at a pivotal stage in a student’s development. As students enter Year 9, they are guided towards IGCSE pathways, supported in identifying their strengths and making informed subject choices aligned with their ambitions.
A rigorous curriculum, expert teaching and attentive pastoral oversight ensure students are both challenged and supported. The Sixth Form will be designed to prepare students for leading worldwide universities while maintaining an equal emphasis on cultivating independence, resilience and intellectual discipline. Students are encouraged to pursue their individual interests – whether in sport, art, music or drama – recognising that confidence and personal development are shaped both inside and beyond the classroom.
From Year 9 onwards, students are prepared not only for examinations but for leadership grounded in character and integrity. They develop the confidence to think critically, the judgement to act responsibly, and the ambition to pursue opportunity wherever it may lead.
Durham’s Rosslyn campus evidences what can be achieved when long term vision is matched by disciplined execution. It does not merely add capacity to Kenya’s education sector, but also contributes to its strength and supports the continued evolution of international education across the region.
Visit Durham International School
Families are warmly invited to tour the Rosslyn campus, meet the teachers, and experience first hand the Durham Difference.
Email: admissions@durhamkenya.com
Call: 0110 300 300
Website: www.durhamkenya.com
