About Us - Braeside Lavington

Who We Are

Braeside Lavington, a member of the Braeburn Group of International Schools, provides a warm, friendly, and caring learning environment throughout the school. Children feel safe, supported, and challenged while developing their full academic, social, emotional, and physical potential.

Open communication between home and school is encouraged and integral to the ongoing success of students and the community. Relationships between students, teachers, and parents foster a supportive, collaborative environment that acknowledges achievements and identifies growth opportunities.

Who We Are

Vision

Every child belongs.

Every talent grows.

Every student thrives.

Mission

We know every child and help each one to discover their own path. Across our schools, childhood is celebrated and school is an experience to be enjoyed. Our students leave connected to the world, sure of who they are, and with a place that will always be home.

Pillars

01 Every child is known

We know our children: their names, their stories, their strengths, and what they need to thrive. Not as a policy, as practice. This is the spirit behind every commitment.

02 Every talent finds a path

No two children are the same, and we work with each one to bring out their best. We help every child find their talent, nurture it, and give them the support, encouragement and belief they need to achieve something remarkable.

03 Founded in Africa. Open to the world

Braeburn began in Kenya. Today our campuses, communities and alumni reach across the continent and beyond. We prepare young people to have the confidence, curiosity and courage to go anywhere in the world and flourish.

04 One family of schools

Each Braeburn school has its own character, its own community, and its own story. Together we are one family, constantly learning from one another to elevate our standards, opportunities, and care across every campus. To belong to one is to belong to them all.

Accreditations, Memberships and Inspecting Bodies

Braeside Lavington is fully accredited by CIS and is a COBIS member school. Other accreditations include: AISA, KAIS, CAIE and Pearson Edexcel.

Team

Senior Leadership Team

Gladys Wahinya

Head of School

Juna Nyamori

Head of Secondary

Samwel Atonga

Head of Primary School

Esther Mokaya

Deputy Head - Pastoral, Safeguarding Lead Key Stages 3-5

Nancy Ngei

Deputy Head - Academics

Joel Ndungu

Deputy Head - Administration

Agnes Gachagua

Assistant Head - Early Years and Key Stage 1

Judith Mwangi

Assistant Head

Gladys Wahinya

Head of School

BEd (Science), BPhil Ed

Gladys Wahinya is the Head of School and Head of Primary School and is an educator by both calling and training. She holds a Bachelor of Education (BEd, Science) from Egerton University and a Bachelor of Philosophy in Education (BPhil Ed) from the University of Warwick.

Gladys believes that a happy student is a ready learner. This belief underpins her leadership approach, which is grounded in co-agency and collaboration. By working closely with students, staff, parents, and the wider community, she fosters a culture of enthusiasm, excellence, innovation, and active participation. Her leadership focuses on creating an environment in which every learner develops as a Confident Individual, a Responsible Citizen, and a Learner Who Enjoys Success.

With over 21 years of experience as a Headteacher, Gladys is deeply committed to nurturing both students and educators. She takes pride in supporting staff to grow as confident professionals and leaders who place the learner at the heart of their practice.

Beyond the school community, Gladys actively engages with fellow school leaders through the Kenya Association of International Schools (KAIS), contributing to national dialogue and collaboration to strengthen international education in Kenya.

Steered by the senior leadership team, Braeside Lavington has been established as a respected school of choice within Kenya’s international schools sector. This success is reflected in strong student enrolment and the affirmation of high standards through international accreditations, including the Council of International Schools (CIS) and the Council of British International Schools (COBIS).

Juna Nyamori

Head of Secondary

Mr. Juma Nyamori is a seasoned educator with more than 20 Years experience in the area of education, especially in Educational Leadership, with specific skills in school international accreditation, curriculum planning, delivery and organisational development. He has successfully carried out lead roles in Project and Change Management in the area of education, with specific focus on Quality Management and Organisational Development. He has led a successful school international accreditation programme.

Mr. Nyamori holds a Bachelor of Education Degree from Kenyatta University, with majors in Literature and French. Mr. Nyamori’s postgraduate training has been focused on gaining skills in overall management and specifically school leadership. His postgraduate degree was a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Strategic Management, with a school case study on Total Quality Management Practices. He has also taken a certification of the UK Department for Education, the National Professional Qualification for Headship, NPQH. The NPQH is a premier global qualification for Educational Leadership, and gave him a prime opportunity to engage with fellow school leaders from around the world to gain insights into the key thematic areas of the programme: Leading School Culture, Leading Teaching and Learning, Leading Organisational Management, Leading Implementation and Leading Partnerships.

Mr. Nyamori has undertaken Corporate Governance Training with the Kenya Institute of Directors. He is a Certified Change Management Practitioner, by the Prosci Global Affiliate Network. He also undertook a Leadership, Ethics and Corporate Accountability Certification with the Harvard Business School.
Mr Nyamori is a champion of Multicultural Learning and Global Citizenship.

Samwel Atonga

Head of Primary School

BEd (Mathematics and Economics), BPhil Ed, MPhil International Teacher Education

Samwel Atonga is a seasoned educator and school leader with over two decades of experience in international education. He graduated from Kenyatta University in 2002 with a Bachelor of Education (BEd) in Mathematics and Economics before joining the Braeburn Group of International Schools in 2003 as a graduate trainee under the CPD (Continuous Professional Development) programme offered in partnership with Warwick University. Through this programme, he earned a Bachelor of Philosophy (BPhil) in Education in 2005 and later became one of the first Braeburn teachers to undertake a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in International Teacher Education, in collaboration with Kenyatta University.

Samwel’s career has been marked by steady growth and impact. Officially employed by Braeburn Schools Ltd in 2004 as a class teacher, he quickly rose through the ranks, serving as senior teacher, Deputy Head, and later as Headteacher. From July 2015 to July 2024, he served as Headteacher of Braeburn Kisumu International School (BKIS), a tenure characterised by significant growth, stability, and two successful COBIS accreditation cycles. Under his leadership, BKIS achieved excellent academic results and developed a reputation for holistic education and community engagement.

In 2024, Samwel returned to Braeside Lavington, where he continues to lead with a focus on teamwork, inclusive stakeholder partnerships, and a strong belief in nurturing both academic excellence and student wellbeing. He champions open communication and collaboration, ensuring that every learner has the opportunity to thrive.

Beyond his professional role, Samwel is passionate about football, and values the balance of family life as a proud father of four boys.

Esther Mokaya

Deputy Head - Pastoral, Safeguarding Lead Key Stages 3-5

BEd (Arts), MA in Communication

Esther has been an integral part of Braeside School for over eight years, serving in a variety of leadership roles including Year Group Coordinator, Middle School Coordinator, Deputy Head for Key Stage 3, and currently, Deputy Head – Pastoral. She is also the Designated Safeguarding Lead and Wellness Champion for Key Stages 3–5, where she is passionate about promoting student wellbeing and fostering a safe, supportive learning environment.

Esther holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education (English and Literature) and a Master’s degree in Communication and Media Studies. Her professional experience extends beyond education, having worked in customer care and publishing, which enriches her approach to communication and community building within the school.

A strong advocate for proactive parenting and holistic child development, Esther is committed to nurturing confident, resilient, and well-rounded learners.

Nancy Ngei

Deputy Head - Academics

BEd (Arts)

Nancy is a passionate and forward-thinking educational leader currently serving as Deputy Head in charge of Academics and Examinations. In this role, she leads key academic functions including student attainment, data management, teacher development, curriculum implementation, performance tracking, and international examination administration.

Previously, she served as Deputy Head – Administration and CAIE & Pearson Examinations Officer, where she oversaw holistic student development, teacher performance, and overall school administration. Her leadership journey began as Key Stage 4 Coordinator, managing both academic and pastoral care for Years 10 and 11.

Nancy’s close interaction with students has inspired her to champion opportunities that enhance their life chances. She is the founder of the Battle of the Crows Colloquium (BCC), an interschool platform where students engage and reflect on global issues with real-time impact.

An alumna of the UK-accredited National Professional Qualification for Senior Leaders (NPQSL), Nancy was named an International Ambassador by Best Practice Network in recognition of her outstanding leadership. With over 11 years of teaching experience, she has consistently delivered top results in English and Literature.

At 33, Nancy is a young, accomplished, and globally-minded leader, driven by purpose and proudly Kenyan.

Joel Ndungu

Deputy Head - Administration

BEd

A talented educator with over 25 years’ experience of international school teaching including BTEC Sports, Physical Education, and sports’ coaching, Joel is dedicated, resourceful, goal-driven, and committed to the academic and social development of every child. He is focused on building student self-esteem and positive behaviour.

Joel fosters a cooperative classroom community that models mutual respect and collaboration, promoting understanding of cultural diversity, gender differences, and physical limitations. He also prioritises strong, professional relationships with parents, staff, and students to support student growth.

Agnes Gachagua

Assistant Head - Early Years and Key Stage 1

BPhil Ed, PgDip ECD, Cert ECD

Agnes Gachagua is the Assistant Head for Early Years and Key Stage 1 at Braeside Lavington, as well as the Pastoral Lead and Designated Safeguarding Lead for the Primary School. With over 20 years of dedicated service at Braeside, she has grown with the school and played a central role in developing its Early Years and Key Stage 1 provision.

Agnes is passionate about seeing children flourish through their formative years in Early Years and Key Stage 1. With a love for early Reading, Writing, Phonics, Mathematics, and vocabulary development, she ensures that every child builds strong foundations for future learning. She believes in creating enabling, child-centred environments where children are actively engaged, curious, and confident to explore. Her smile is sustained when children are happily enjoying school, thriving, and growing into independent learners.

As Pastoral Lead and Designated Safeguarding Lead, Agnes is deeply committed to inclusion, teamwork, and child protection, ensuring every child feels safe, valued, and supported. She leads a dedicated team of teachers who provide a rich and balanced curriculum, enabling children to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Beyond Braeside, Agnes also serves as an Advanced Skilled Teacher within the Braeburn Group of Schools, supporting Early Years settings, and sustaining and embedding good practice across the Group.

Judith Mwangi

Assistant Head

BEd (Linguistics and Literature)

Focused on inspiring learners, supporting their academic journey, and building a positive school community, Judith is an educator at Braeside Lavington who is dedicated to fostering a culture of academic excellence and continuous improvement. With over 15 years of experience in education, she specialises in data-driven instructional strategies, curriculum design and staff professional development.

As a school, we pride ourselves on using innovative teaching approaches and integrating educational technology to enhance pupil engagement and outcomes. Judith finds teaching at Braeside Lavington deeply rewarding, as she ensures that students enjoy learning with the pursuit of knowledge at the core of their learning journey.

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