Brookhouse School

Brookhouse School (also known as Brookhouse International School) is an independent British curriculum co-educational day and boarding school offering Early Years, preparatory and secondary schooling. It is located in Langata, a suburb of Nairobi, about 10 km (6 mi) from the Nairobi's CBD. The school was opened in 1981 and caters for pupils from pre-school to A-level, with an overall enrolment of 750 students. The campus occupies a 14-acre (5.7 ha) site, adjacent to the Nairobi National Park.

Brookhouse School
Address
Magadi Road, Langata

Nairobi

Kenya
Information
TypeIndependent day and boarding school
MottoFloreat Sapientia
("Let Wisdom Flourish")
Established1981
DirectorJohn O'Connor
Staff130 (approx)
GradesPre-school through Year 13[1]
GenderCo-educational
Age range2–19 years old[1]
Number of students550 (approx)
Campus typeSuburban, adjacent to Nairobi National Park
HousesFour: Tsavo (yellow), Mara (blue), Samburu (green), Amboseli (red)
School color(s)               Black, Red and Gold
Websitewww.brookhouse.ac.ke

Academics

Brookhouse follows the British National Curriculum and students take IGCSE and A-Level at 16+ and 18+, respectively. Students take examinations through both the Cambridge International Examinations (CIE)[2] and Edexcel Boards.

Most students elect to continue their education at UK universities, with an increasing number of students going to the USA, Canada, Australia and South Africa for post-secondary education. The school offers English as a Second Language (ESL), IFY and Special Needs support.

Admission

The academic year begins in late August for Term 1. Entry to the school is preferable at that time but students may be accepted at any time in the year. Acceptance follows an evaluation of the child's previous academic record. Entry assessment tests are used to assist in the placement process.

All admissions to Brookhouse School are made through a senior member of staff. When seeking admission, prospective students are requested to provide copies of previous school reports, academic transcripts, and where applicable, a Leaving Certificate. Where practicable, prospective students will also be interviewed and may be asked to sit an entrance placement examination. A student will only be admitted to Brookhouse if it is considered that they will benefit from the curriculum offered and if they are prepared to contribute positively to the life of the school. Students come from 40 different countries.[1][3][4]

Facilities
  • Boarding House – The school has the capacity for nearly 200 boarders to live on site, all housed in purpose-built accommodation. There are separate wings for boys and girls. A dozen or more staff are also accommodated on site, to provide a high level of supervision and support for the boarding students. The Boarding House has its own student common rooms and other recreational facilities. Younger children are accommodated in a separate area of the Boarding complex. They have their own full-time boarding staff to provide a homely atmosphere for the children.
  • Sports – Brookhouse has a gym that all students can use under the supervision of the gym coach. In 2010, the Tergat Sports Centre was officially opened. Named after one of Kenya's long distance athletic greats, Paul Tergat, the indoor sports centre hosts major indoor sports and activities.
  • Auditorium – The on-campus Burudani Theatre is a world-class performing arts venue for music concerts, drama performances and other activities. In 2013 it was the venue for the historic inaugural presidential debates in the run up to the Kenyan presidential election, 2013 March.

Curriculum

Brookhouse School follows an adapted form of the British National Curriculum. The Early Years Unit caters for children aged 2–5 years, providing a carefully planned induction to the British National Curriculum. Throughout the Preparatory School up to and including Year Eight students study the set national curriculum subjects, including Mathematics, English, Science, Geography, History, Art, Physical Education, Music, a modern Foreign Language and information and communications technology (ICT).

The Secondary section of the school commences with the one year Pre-IGCSE Year 9 programme, leading to the two years of the IGCSE course during Year's 10 and 11. Upon successful completion of the IGCSE examinations pupils can progress to take their AS and A-level courses in Year's 12 and 13, before moving on to universities across the globe.

The school also offers an international foundation year (IFY) bridging programme in partnership with the Northern Consortium of UK Universities (NCUK)[5] and specialist vocational Business and Technician Education Council (BTEC) courses in Music, Music Technology and Art & Design.

Extracurricular activities

Brookhouse School offers an extensive programme of extra-curricular activities, including a wide range of sports and trips. Examples of activities regularly offered at Brookhouse are:

  • Round Square[6] Community Service projects
  • President's Award Scheme
  • Model United Nations
  • LAMDA, drama, debating and verse speaking
  • Choir, orchestra and other ensemble musical groups
  • Individual musical instrument tuition
  • Camping and outdoor adventure activities
  • Environment and wildlife clubs
  • Horse-riding, archery and Martial Arts clubs
  • Aerobics and Gym
  • Desktop publishing and magazine production
  • Electronics, Robotics and Science Discovery
  • First Aid
  • Chess and Board Games
  • Various craft and cooking clubs

Round Square

Round Square is a worldwide association of schools sharing unique and ambitious goals. Students attending Round Square schools on five continents. They make a strong commitment, beyond academic excellence, to personal development and responsibility. This is achieved by participating in community service, work projects, exchange programmes and outdoor adventure activities.

Brookhouse is a global member of the Round Square organisation. The school participates in student exchanges with other Round Square schools around the globe, attends Round Square conferences in different parts of the world, and participates in Round Square International Service (RSIS) projects.

In April 2012 Brookhouse School hosted the international Round Square conference.

Sport

The main sporting activities at Brookhouse include:

These sports are spread across the three terms of the school year. Contact with other independent schools in Kenya is maintained by means of a full fixture list of inter-school matches in all the major sports at different age levels. In addition there is active participation in tournaments, competitions, festivals, leagues and exhibitions. There are Inter-House competitions in cross-country, athletics, basketball, rounders, soccer, netball, rugby and swimming. The extensive fitness centre allows opportunities for general fitness in the gym, aerobics sessions and weights training.

Reputation

The school was selected for review by the Good Schools Guide International and is a member of the prestigious G20 Schools. The school is fully accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS)[7] and the Independent Association of Preparatory Schools (IAPS).[8]

Alumni

The Brookhouse community (alumni and staff) includes:

  • Dr. Louise Leakey, palaeontologist, educator and lecturer[9]
  • Liza Mucheru-Wisner, a finalist in the tenth season of the reality TV show contest The Apprentice (US version)[10]
  • E-Sir (1981–2003), musician
  • The Moipei Quartet, 2006 UNICEF Child Ambassadors and Head of State Commendation recipients from the President of Kenya
  • Emanuel Jal, hip-hop artist and humanitarian advocate
  • Richard Turere, inventor of the lion lights[11] and TED 2013 speaker
  • Eric Wainaina, musician and playwright
  • Ian Mbugua, actor and musician
  • Kevin Mbugua, musician[12]
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References
  1. "About Us". brookhouse.ac.ke. Brookhouse International School. Archived from the original on 12 January 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  2. "Events: Stage 2 Professional Development Courses, Kenya". Cambridge International Examinations. Archived from the original on 29 December 2010. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  3. "Application and Admission". brookhouse.ac.ke. Brookhouse International School. Archived from the original on 16 January 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  4. "Brookhouse International School". The East African Private Schools Guide. Archived from the original on 1 February 2011. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  5. "Northern Consortium of UK Universities". brookhouse.ac.ke. Brookhouse International School. Archived from the original on 26 October 2013. Retrieved 20 March 2016.
  6. "Round Square". Round Square. Round Square. Archived from the original on 18 January 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  7. "CIS". Council of International Schools. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  8. "IAPS". Independent Association of Preparatory Schools. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  9. "Dr Louise Leakey". LeakeyFoundation.org. Archived from the original on 15 March 2013. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  10. "Liza Mucheru-Wisner". Daily Nation. Retrieved 2 March 2013.
  11. "Richard Turere". National Geographic. Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  12. "Kevin Mbugua". Daily Nation. Daily Nation. Retrieved 2 March 2013.

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