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School Name

Peterhouse Boys' School

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' School

Focus

Bringing out the best in every child

Boarding fees 2024/25

$13,100

Pupils

450

Ages

12–18

Spear's Review

Peterhouse Boys’ School 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 cultures. Outside 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

Peterhouse boys consistently excel in academics, with 82.2 per cent achieving A*–C at IGCSE in 2023. At A-Level, the overall pass rate was 97.1 per cent that year.

University and college destinations

Petreans frequently matriculate at some of the top universities across the world.

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’ School.

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

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 2025, Rest of the World Schools

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