Kolej Tuanku Ja'afar

Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar (KTJ) is one of South East Asia’s leading international schools, offering a holistic British-style day and boarding education for students aged 3 to 19. With over 30 years of educational excellence, KTJ has built a strong reputation for academic achievement, character development and global citizenship.

Our Ethos and Foundations

KTJ was established with a clear vision by its Founding Trustees: to create a British-style boarding school rooted in the rich cultural context of Malaysia and South East Asia. These founding principles remain central to our school today and have evolved to reflect the modern educational landscape.

We are guided by a strong set of values and commitments:

• Holistic education that nurtures academic and personal growth
• Diversity and inclusion across all areas of school life
• Global citizenship, preparing students for an interconnected world
• Sustainability and environmental stewardship

Our guiding principles are reviewed regularly in consultation with our wider school community, and they are aligned with the CIS Code of Ethics.

Vision, Mission and Values

Our Vision
To be the school of choice in South East Asia, empowering students to become responsible leaders of a sustainable, global community.

Our Mission
To nurture and inspire our diverse learning community, providing a holistic, British-style day and boarding school education in a Malaysian setting.

Our Core Values

• Integrity
• Empathy
• Mutual Respect

A Collaborative and Supportive Working Culture

KTJ is led by Dr Glenn Moodie, our Principal, who fosters a positive and developmental working culture that is inclusive, supportive, and focused on continuous improvement.

We believe in an open-door policy where feedback and communication flow freely. Regular initiatives such as:

• Collaborative planning meetings
• Fieldwork buddy systems 
• Fortnightly drop-in sessions
• Learning walks by the Senior Leadership Team 

... all contribute to a vibrant professional environment that values growth and innovation.

Teaching and Learning at KTJ

Our approach to teaching and learning is grounded in evidence-based practice, supported by the use of Steplab and Teaching WalkThrus. These tools help to streamline professional development and ensure that all staff have access to high-quality, actionable feedback.

Teachers collaborate fortnightly, engaging in:

• Goal setting and reflection
• Peer-to-peer observations
• Sharing of best practices

This collective effort supports both personal growth and organisational excellence.

Focused Feedback Culture

At KTJ, feedback is clear, regular and purposeful. Our focused feedback model promotes:

• Constructive strategies for development
• Honest, precise observations
• Recognition of outstanding practice

By sharing and celebrating exemplary teaching, we foster a culture of excellence that benefits every student and educator.

Our accreditations

In 2025, KTJ was once again awarded the Council of International Schools (CIS) International Accreditation. This accreditation involves a comprehensive and rigorous evaluation process, assessing the institution's adherence to internationally recognised standards and offering recommendations for ongoing development. KTJ exceeded standards in seven out of eight Boarding evaluation areas, including accommodation, food, healthcare, school life, overall wellbeing, parent communication, and safeguarding. KTJ has been a CIS accredited school for 15 years.

KTJ is also Council of British International Schools (COBIS) accredited, and a member of the Association of International Malaysian Schools (AIMS), Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA), Federation of British International School in Asia (FOBISIA), and The Heads’ Conference (HMC).

Why Work at KTJ?

KTJ offers more than just a teaching role—it’s a place where educators thrive professionally while making a meaningful impact. With a deep commitment to professional learning, staff wellbeing, and community, KTJ is a dynamic and rewarding place to work.