Deputy Head, Academic

You may never have thought about working in Kenya, but this is an opportunity to lead all aspects of teaching and learning at the country’s largest prep school, in an environment that could be the Home Counties but has more space, a wonderful climate, and more scope for staff and children than the UK can offer right now.

Kenya has a buzz about its future and education is seen as one of the most important ways forward. Private schools are widespread and about a dozen British-style prep schools are at the forefront of primary education. Peponi House is at the forefront of those prep schools, catering for children from a broad mix of Kenyan and international families, most of whom stay at the school for several years.

Located in a leafy suburb of Nairobi, the school has just been almost completely rebuilt with state-of-the-art classrooms and a wealth of other world-class facilities. These new resources enable us to go further with everything we do, and we are making widespread use of the latest technology whilst developing inquiry-based thematic teaching. A very recent ISI Inspection in March rated us “Excellent” throughout.

Although teaching and learning matter hugely, so does being happy, and first and foremost Peponi House is a friendly and bubbly community, with a palpable sense of family that over-arches everything we do. With 480 pupils and some 45 nationalities, we all learn from each other and there are lots of friendships, with lots of laughter and lots of fun. 

The new buildings and resources are just part of an exciting overall development and growth strategy. Advanced technology is facilitating radical changes, and inquiry-based thematic learning has been embraced with enthusiasm.

As our new Deputy Head, Academic, you will work closely with the Head and DHP as an SLT consisting of the three key leaders, supported by a very capable SMT and then by HoDs and Year Group leaders. Your challenge will be to oversee the academic side of the school and to develop and enhance it as much as you think appropriate.

You’ll be given plenty of scope to apply your personality, your experience, your enthusiasm and your ideas, and you’ll be working in a staff team that is also excited about taking teaching and learning as far as possible. This is a large prep school with vision, purpose, “can-do” drive and plenty of energy, making the DHA role truly exciting.

To apply, you MUST have solid experience in a quality primary or prep school setting, be naturally kind and encouraging, and passionate about encouraging and developing each and every child.  You will already be in a leadership role, not necessarily at Deputy Head level. 

You MUST understand what a top British-style school should and can be, and you must be excited about leading one. Finally, it will help a lot if you have experience of Years 7 and 8 in a prep school, and of preparing children for entry and scholarships to leading 13+ senior schools.

In return, we are offering great job satisfaction and the chance to achieve a better quality of life in a wonderful location. Nairobi is a bustling city with lots going on, but the school is in a quiet and green suburb and you’ll have easy access to countryside, scenery and amazing wildlife.  The Kenyan coast and mountains are world-class destinations and there will be an excellent reward and relocation package. 

If you’re excited by the sound of all this, please download the briefing brochure and the application form. Our advising consultant, Simon Shneerson, will be happy to answer any questions you may have and the brochure gives contact details for enquiries.  

Closing date for applications: 12 noon on Monday, 17th February 2025. We’d welcome earlier applications of course, and we will start holding initial online interviews as soon as we can.

Peponi House is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants will be subject to child protection screening, including checks with past employers, the UK Disclosure and Barring Service and/or authorities in other countries.