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School Name

Peterhouse Boys

Category

Rest of the World Schools

Types

Senior school

Pupil type

Boys only

Boarding-Day

Boarding

Curriculums

IGCSE

A-Level

Pupil age range

12-18

Location

Zimbabwe

Peterhouse Boys

Focus

Unlocking outstanding opportunities

Boarding fees 2025/26

On application

Term dates

  • Term 1: 9 September to 4 December 2025
  • Term 2: 13 January to 1 April 2026
  • Term 3: 12 May to 6 August 2026

Ages

12-18

Pupil count

450

Spear's Review

Peterhouse Boys is an exclusive boarding school for boys aged 12 to 18, located on a vast campus between Harare and Mutare in Zimbabwe. Founded in 1955, Peterhouse aims to nurture boys to become the best, most authentic versions of themselves – grounded in values of humility, respect, empathy and loyalty.

During students’ first two years at the school, boys focus on core subjects in preparation for their IGCSE studies. A-Level study also has the benefit of joining with Peterhouse Girls, to create a co-educational Sixth Form centre. Throughout their schooling, a Petrean can also benefit from the outstanding Alpha Programme, specifically designed to support learning abilities and neurodivergence. The flexible programme allows pupils ‘to develop at their own pace without stigma or censure’. 

As an all-boarding school, Peterhouse brings boys of all ages together to eat, learn and pray, but they are separated into six boarding houses, each with their own communities and unique culturesOutside of the classroom, Petreans can enjoy sports and activities including basketball, cricket, mountain biking, sailing, water polo and hockey. They also can embark on field trips as part of the Learner Hunter programme, experiencing the biodiversity of Zimbabwe, studying the geology and vegetation of the area, learning about the night sky, hunting game, fishing and tracking animals such as hyenas, elephants and lions.

Academics

In 2025:

  • 13 per cent of A-Level grades were A*-A

Head teacher

Jon Trafford was appointed rector in 2020. Alongside his duties as head of the Peterhouse Group of schools – where he began his teaching career in 1985 – he also oversees the headship of Peterhouse Boys.

Prior to his current post, Trafford was the executive head of the Kingswood college foundation in South Africa.

University and college destinations

Petreans frequently matriculate at some of the top universities across the world. According to the school, 98 per cent of Peterhouse group students get into a university of their choice.

Admissions

Admission varies depending on the age of entry, but applicants are asked to submit reports and recommendations from their previous school. Applicants are also required to pass an interview with the rector, and young applicants must pass the Common Entrance exam prior to entry.

Accessibility

Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport: 1 hour and 30 minutes

Location

Click for more information about the research process and expert insight behind the Spear’s Schools Index.

Rank: Top 100

Top 100 Spear’s Schools Index 2026, Rest of the World Schools

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