Gareth Parker-Jones, currently Head Master of top-ranked Rugby School, will lead Wellington College International Kenya at Tatu City from 1 September 2027.
One of the UK’s leading educators, Parker-Jones will join Wellington College International Kenya as Founding Master a year ahead of the school’s official opening, in September 2028. He will be joined by his wife, Amanda Parker-Jones, who has been appointed Head of Teacher Development for the school.
Developed by Rendeavour in partnership with Wellington College, Wellington Kenya is our second school in Africa alongside Wellington College International Lagos. It joins a wider global network of 12 leading British schools across the UK, Asia, and the Americas.
Located in Tatu City, Africa’s leading new city, Wellington College International Kenya is a co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 3 to 18, attracting families locally, regionally and globally. With access to Kenya’s breathtaking landscapes, bountiful wildlife, rich cultural diversity, temperate weather and remarkable athletic excellence, Wellington Kenya is set within Tatu City’s 5,000 acres of lush parks, running and equestrian trails, legendary coffee estates, indigenous trees, lakes and rivers.
Regarding his appointment, Gareth Parker-Jones said;
“Wellington College International Kenya delivers a genuinely world-class education in arguably the most beautiful environment on Earth, carrying the full weight of the Wellington name. Backed by the scale, expertise and ambition of Rendeavour, Wellington Kenya is a great success story in international education, and I could not be prouder to lead it as Head of Education, Rendeavour, and Founding Master.”
Commenting on the appointment, James Dahl, 15th Master of Wellington College, said;
“I am absolutely thrilled to be welcoming Gareth Parker-Jones to the Wellington College Education family. Gareth is one of the UK’s leading heads and has had a transformational impact at Rugby School, raising standards, developing a vibrant and growing family of schools in England and around the world, and acting as a thoughtful and thought-provoking ambassador for the sector. I have known Gareth for many years and have the deepest respect for him both personally and professionally; Wellington College International Kenya could not be in better hands. We congratulate Gareth, Amanda and the family in this exciting new chapter, and I very much look forward to working alongside such accomplished educationalists.”
The appointment of Parker-Jones, who has a strong background in boarding, signals the scale of ambition of Wellington Kenya. Alongside its day school provision, boarding will be an important part of Wellington Kenya’s identity, character, community and pastoral offer from day one. This will give families the flexibility of both day and boarding options, while ensuring that the boarding experience is delivered to the same exacting standard as Wellington’s schools around the world.
Stephen Jennings, Founder and CEO of Rendeavour, added:
“To attract a Founding Master of Gareth’s renown and experience is itself a statement of our intent and the ambition we hold for the school. Having spent considerable time with Gareth and his wife, Amanda, I have no doubt whatsoever that we have found the perfect leaders for building the best international school.
Great cities are built around great institutions, and world-class education is central to attracting families, employers, and investment over the long term. Wellington Kenya will set a new benchmark for educational excellence – establishing a world-class institution in the heart of East Africa so families no longer need to look abroad for extraordinary schooling.
Gareth’s appointment gives us the leadership, warmth, and vision to turn that ambition into reality from day one. Our goal is to build an institution that seamlessly combines Wellington’s global educational heritage with a strong local identity, one that will serve families across the region for generations.”
About Gareth Parker-Jones:
Gareth Parker-Jones has been at Rugby School since 2015 and is currently the Head Master. Gareth initially served as Deputy Head (Academic), becoming Head Master in 2020. He was educated at Queen Elizabeth’s Hospital School, Bristol and Pembroke College, Oxford, where he read History. He also holds a master’s degree in Colonial and Post-Colonial Studies from the University of London. He has taught at Harrow, University College School and Sevenoaks, where he was Head of History.
About Wellington College International Kenya:
Located in Tatu City, Africa’s leading new city, Wellington Kenya is a co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 3 to 18, attracting families locally, regionally and globally. With access to Kenya’s breathtaking landscapes, bountiful wildlife, rich cultural diversity, temperate weather and remarkable athletic excellence, Wellington Kenya is set within Tatu City’s 5,000 acres of lush parks, running and equestrian trails, legendary coffee estates, indigenous trees, lakes and rivers.
Committed to preparing students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, the school combines internationally aspirational standards with a genuine sense of place, offering families in Kenya and across the region an education that is both world-class and authentically Kenyan.
This state-of-the-art school on 30 acres will have the latest in STEM education spaces, a 50m swimming pool, a certified athletics track, boarding houses, extending access to a WCIK education for students from across Kenya and the wider region.
For more information, visit www.wellingtoncollege.ke
About Rendeavour:
Rendeavour is Africa’s new city builder. Backed by American, Norwegian, New Zealand and British investors, Rendeavour’s cities are among the largest construction projects in Africa and hubs for businesses, homes, education and recreation within infrastructure-ready economic zones. Current developments are valued at more than USD 5 billion, with over 250 businesses, schools educating more than 6,000 students, and 10,000 mixed-income homes occupied or under development.
Tatu City is a 5,000-acre new city on Nairobi’s doorstep, featuring homes, schools, businesses, a shopping district, healthcare facilities, green spaces and recreation for more than 250,000 residents and tens of thousands of daily visitors. It is East Africa’s leading mixed-use Special Economic Zone, designed to support businesses and create a world-class live-work-play environment just 30 minutes from Nairobi.
For more information about Tatu City, visit www.tatucity.com
For more information about Rendeavour, visit www.rendeavour.com
