Head of School – Durham International School, Kenya

This is an exceptional opportunity.

Durham International School Kenya is seeking an experienced Head of School to lead the school into a bold new phase of development.

The role brings together aspects of a founding headship with the opportunity to take on the leadership of an existing, highly successful school. The new Head of School will establish a brand-new campus and transform Durham Kenya from a successful primary school into a thriving British curriculum whole school.

Durham Kenya opened in 2021 and has rapidly attained an important place in Nairobi’s highly competitive schools’ market. It is the only British independent school brand currently in East Africa and it offers a highly distinctive education for students representing more than 30 nationalities, from Pre-Nursery up to Year 4. The school takes pride in its child-centred approach and family feel, underpinned by the Durham MARK values – Moral Integrity, Ambition, Responsibility and Kindness – and the aim of providing ‘Confidence for Life.’

In 2025, Durham Kenya will open its new campus and start to develop beyond its current primary school year groups, with the existing site continuing as the home of Pre-Nursery up to Year 1. The new site is very well situated, close to major residential developments and with ample room to establish a campus that will match the level of the school’s ambition. At capacity, the school will have c.1,000 students.

With its very successful start having demonstrated proof of concept, its strong relationship with Durham UK and the other Durham International schools, and the enormous potential of its new site, Durham Kenya has the bold ambition to become the best international school in Nairobi.

This level of ambition will require outstanding leadership. The new Head of School will require all the instincts for founding – and will preferably have founding experience - because establishing and growing the school on its new site will take vision, creativity and energy.

The new Head of School will need the credibility, track record and gravitas to earn the trust of the existing families and to attract local and international families in the competitive Nairobi market. They must be able to understand the essence of the family oriented, deeply personal approach that has made Durham Kenya’s first years so successful and will be the foundation for its future success. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate the experience and skill to grow a senior school, while understanding that it is the primary school that has so far captured the imagination of families. And they will have the personality and understanding to be able to forge the closest of relationships with the school’s Chairman, as well as recognising their accountability to a governing board and the importance and benefit of the relationship with Durham UK. Experience in Kenya or East Africa will be a distinct advantage.

There will not be many candidates who will be able to meet these requirements and have the warmth of personality, resilience, good humour, cultural curiosity and deep commitment to education that the position demands. For the right person, this could be a once-in-a-career opportunity.

The position will be available from January 2025. The intention is for the new Head to focus on establishing the new campus between January and its opening in September 2025.

For a preliminary, confidential conversation about the roles with Jean Sullivan, Head of International Search, or Keith Clark, Head of International Leadership Appointments, please contact jeansullivan@rsacademics.com.

Further, detailed information including the candidate brief and information on how to apply is available at https://www.rsacademics.com/current-vacancies/durham-kenya/

The deadline for the receipt of applications is Monday 3 June 2024 at 10:00 (UK)/12:00 (Kenya).

Durham seeks to provide a safe environment for children. The Head’s responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young persons for whom he or she is responsible, or with whom he or she comes into contact, will be to adhere to and ensure compliance with the School’s Safeguarding Policy and Child Protection Statement at all times.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2020.

The safeguarding responsibilities of the role are indicated in the candidate information.

RSAcademics is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and to promoting diversity and inclusion in schools.