Cavina School

Located in Kilimani, Nairobi, Kenya. The campus sits on a leafy site in the heart of Kilimani. It is accessible by local roads with nearby amenities and transport links.

Pre-Prep Unit (ages 2–5) and Prep School (ages 6–13).

British-curriculum preparatory school with a Christian foundation.

Cavina provides in-class support for pupils with special educational needs. Pupils identified as needing additional provision receive small group or one-to-one interventions, and, where necessary, specialists and therapists are brought in to support the child.

Kenya.

Christian.

Each school day begins with a Christian act of worship. Fridays feature morning devotions arranged by house captains and House Assemblies use the Book of Common Prayer. The daily life integrates spiritual life with academic learning.

The school offers a bus service with defined routes and transport arrangements.

The Cavina curriculum is British-curriculum preparatory for children aged two to 13. The school is divided into Pre-prep and Prep School. The Common Entrance examination, taken in the final year, includes eight major subjects: Mathematics, English, French, Science, British History, Geography, Scripture, and Latin. English is central, with English language and literature taught to all pupils. The curriculum also includes Computer Studies, Art, Music, Physical Education, and the Performing Arts; by age 13 pupils are introduced to three languages and undertake independent projects and broader learning experiences.

Past and current Cavina pupils have won academic, sports and music scholarships to top senior schools such as Peponi Secondary, St Andrew's Turi, Brookhouse and Hillcrest. The Beacon Scholarship provides two-thirds of the costs for secondary and UK university education.

Many Cavina pupils win scholarships to senior schools in Kenya and abroad, and some go on to study at world-class universities. The Beacon Scholarship provides two-thirds of the costs for secondary and UK university education.

Scholarships are available for high achievers, including the Kenneth Mason Scholarship (for Year 7) and the Founder's Scholarship (for Years 5–6), with a maximum of two scholarships awarded per year. The Kenneth Mason and Founder's Scholarships recognize outstanding ability in sports, music, acting or art and require academic excellence and leadership potential. The Beacon Scholarship is a leadership bursary that provides up to two-thirds of costs for secondary and UK university education.

Cavina's small, family atmosphere supports pupil welfare and social development. The senior leadership team and form teachers monitor each pupil's academic and personal progress, and Year 8 pupils (and others needing extra support) have access to a dedicated teacher mentor. Professional counsellors and a nurse are available to support pupils' emotional wellbeing.

Cavina takes special educational needs seriously. Pupils with SEN receive in-classroom support from all teachers, and those identified as requiring additional provision benefit from small-group or one-to-one interventions. If necessary, additional specialists and therapists are brought in following consultations with parents.

A fulltime paediatric nurse monitors the physical and emotional wellbeing of pupils and offers fitness and nutrition advice.

Pastoral care and medical services support safeguarding and pupil welfare. The senior leadership team monitors pupils' progress, with professional counsellors and a nurse available to assist pupils as needed.

1. Enquiry: Prospective families submit an enquiry online using the enquiry tab or email the admissions registrar, Ms. This begins the Cavina admissions process. The school provides information about age groups, class availability, and the admissions timeline after the enquiry. An enquiry does not commit a family to a place.

2. Tours and registration: Cavina conducts regular school tours throughout the year, and Ms. Minayo will place you on a tour following your enquiry. After the tour, you may register your child if you wish to proceed. A non-refundable registration fee of 7,500 Kenyan Shillings is payable at this stage to cover the administrative costs of maintaining the waiting list. Payment of the registration fee does not guarantee a place.

3. Waiting list and intake: The waiting list for some classes is long, so early applications are encouraged. The main intake is in Playgroup, with a maximum of 25 places per year. Priority is given to siblings, then generally by date of application, while other factors such as balancing the numbers of boys and girls may influence offers. In some years, places are only available when vacancies arise due to a pupil leaving; Cavina aims to reduce class sizes toward the top of the school and may not replace pupils who leave after Form IV.

4. Registration timing and exceptions: Registration is accepted after you have toured the school, with exceptions for families living outside Kenya at the time of application. The process is designed to be straightforward and supportive for families navigating international admissions.

Scholarships: Cavina offers a maximum of two scholarships per year. The Kenneth Mason Scholarship is awarded to a pupil joining in Lower VI (Year 7) who is outstanding in sport, music, acting, or art, and who demonstrates academic excellence and leadership potential. This scholarship provides a 30 percent reduction in school fees, with an additional bursary of up to 30 percent if required. The Founder's Scholarship is awarded to a pupil joining in Form IV or Form V (Years 5 or 6) who is outstanding in sport, music, acting, or art and demonstrates academic excellence and good character. This scholarship provides a 20 percent reduction on school fees, with up to 30 percent bursary available. Bursaries are means-tested and offered only to Kenneth Mason or Founder's Scholars, requiring full disclosure of finances to Cavina's accounts department. The maximum bursary is 30 percent but may be lower depending on means testing. The Beacon Scholarship is a leadership bursary that provides two-thirds of costs for the child's secondary education and UK university education; past Cavina pupils have been awarded scholarships to top senior schools including Peponi, St Andrew's Turi, Brookhouse and Hillcrest.

There is a waiting list for some Cavina classes. A non-refundable registration fee of 7,500 Kenyan Shillings is payable at registration to cover waiting list administrative costs. Payment of the registration fee does not guarantee a place. The waiting list length varies by class, and early applications are encouraged.