The Banda School

Langata, Nairobi, Kenya; 35-acre site opposite Nairobi National Park on Magadi Road.

Pegasus Early Years (18 months - 5 years); Lower School (5 - 9 years); Upper School (9 - 13 years).

Leading international school in Kenya; British Curriculum School.

Pupils from over 35 countries.

The Learning Development Centre provides support for a wide range of abilities and Special Educational Needs, with six full-time teachers. Support may be delivered in the classroom or via withdrawal on a one-to-one or group basis, with targets set and feedback provided to parents.

Kenya

Typical day for Years 1–8 runs 8:10–15:45 with a 8:10–8:40 registration; 8:45–9:30; 9:35–10:20; 10:20–10:40 break; 10:45–11:30; 11:35–12:20; 12:25–13:10 lunch; 13:10–14:05; 14:10–14:55; 15:00–15:45; Pegasus timings differ (arrival 8:00–8:30; end 3:00–3:45). Before-school activities start from 7:00.

The school arranges a morning and afternoon bus service with on-board bus escorts from a fixed collection point in Westlands; real-time tracking and mobile notifications.

Lower School (Years 1–4) follows the National Curriculum of England & Wales, with Mathematics, English and Science taught by class teachers, daily Phonics, and specialist teaching in French (Year 2), Kiswahili, Music, Computing, PE and Art. Class sizes are small, and Years 3–4 are grouped by ability for Mathematics and spelling to tailor pace. Upper School combines the British National Curriculum in Years 5–6 with an independent curriculum aligned to the ISEB 13+ Common Entrance in Years 7–8; pupils sit the Common Entrance examinations at the end of Year 8. The timetable covers English, Mathematics, Science (Physics, Chemistry and Biology from Year 7), French, Kiswahili, Geography, History, Art, Drama, Music, RS, Computing, Performing Arts, Design & Technology, Games, PE and PSHE, with Religion/Philosophy & Ethics in Years 7–8. For Year 8, a post-Common Entrance programme provides life skills and activities beyond The Banda.

Classes are small, enabling an individual approach; Mathematics is set from Year 5, and from Year 7 or Year 8, French, English and Science are set.

2022's Year 8 cohort gained 95% A–C grades in their final Common Entrance Exams, with all gaining entry to their first-choice Secondary School. Amongst the Year 8 pupils leaving The Banda in July 2022, 19 Scholarships were achieved to schools within Kenya and in the UK.

The Banda prides itself on preparing pupils well for entry to secondary schools when they leave at the end of Year 8. A strong relationship exists with top independent schools throughout Kenya, the UK, South Africa and other parts of the world; a ‘Future Schools' information evening is held during the January term; scholarships and bursaries are discussed for opportunities at senior schools. Among Year 8 leavers, 20 scholarship awards were achieved to schools within Kenya and the UK.

The Banda School integrates social and emotional learning through a PSHE curriculum, Wellbeing Form Tutors sessions, Wellbeing Focus Weeks, and displays around the school. A dedicated Head of Wellbeing and a Wellbeing Committee work with the Pastoral and Safeguarding teams, and there is a full-time School Counsellor. STEER Tracking was introduced in 2022 to monitor pupil wellbeing, and The Banda was named a STEER Champion School in 2025.

The Banda School provides pastoral support and has a Wellbeing Centre and safeguarding structures to support pupils; specific SEN policies are available in the Policies section.

Not specified on the site.

Wellbeing is a central focus across school life with targeted PSHE, wellbeing sessions, and dedicated staff to support pupils' mental health and confidence.

Safeguarding and child protection are prioritized; responsibilities are outlined, with staff raising concerns to designated safeguarding leads and confidentiality maintained where possible.

1. Complete online Initial Admission Enquiry form. The Admissions Team will contact you and guide you through the admissions process, customizing your journey. 2. Visit the School: You may visit at any stage; Open Mornings are announced on the website; personal visits are welcomed with a prior appointment; a visit with a senior member of staff enables discussion of educational aims and any specific needs; safeguarding considerations are addressed. 3. Guidelines to Support an Application for Entry: The Banda is non-selective; prospective parents are invited to visit; a copy of the pupil's most recent school report is requested where appropriate; any learning weaknesses must be declared with supporting documentation; for transfer from KAIS member schools, a Leaving Certificate or written clearance is required. 4. The Assessment Process: An invitation for a ‘taster' day is available; assessment may be formal or informal in the Learning Development Centre; Reception and below do not have a formal assessment but may have a taster day to gauge access to the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum; for pupils aged 5+, the assessment checks that the pupil can access the curriculum independently and notes prior educational exposure; if in-person visits are not possible, a copy of the most recent school report may be requested. 5. Additional considerations: The Banda welcomes pupils with learning difficulties and provides support via the Learning Development Centre or ESL options where needed; most younger children benefit from full immersion in English; most siblings join but admission is not automatic; siblings are given priority in place allocation subject to availability, and pupils transferring from Pegasus Early Years have priority for Year 1 in the main school. 6. Overseas Applicants: Overseas children are welcome with suitable Parent/Guardianship arrangements in Kenya; fluency in English is preferred and entry may be considered on an individual basis with recommendations for English as an Additional Language if required; parents are responsible for ensuring appropriate immigration permission to live in Kenya and study at the School. 7. Completion of the Admissions Procedure - Deposits and Contracts: If a place is offered, the Enrolment Form is completed and a non-refundable Registration (if not previously paid) and Entry Fee is paid to secure the place; a contract exists between the School and the signatories; fees are payable termly in advance and are due on or before the first day of each term; withdrawal requires one academic term's notice or one term's fees in lieu of notice.

The Banda School helps pupils gain scholarships to national and international schools; in 2022, 19 scholarships were achieved for Year 8 leavers to schools within Kenya and the UK; among the Year 8 cohort leaving in 2025, 20 scholarship awards were achieved to schools within Kenya and the UK. The school maintains a destination-schools network that supports students in gaining scholarships.