Led by our co-founding Principals, Girton Girls’ School and King’s College for boys united in 1974 to establish Pembroke School.
Pembroke Motto
Ex Unitate Vires
— Out of Unity, Strength
Our History
Ours is a unique story where two single-sex schools identified the power of co-education for young learners. Thanks to their foresight, we are a school that fosters equality of opportunity within a co-educational setting defined by our learning and caring culture.
In 2024, we proudly celebrated Pembroke’s 50th Anniversary, including 100 years of King’s College and more than a century of Girton Girls’ School.
Our Vision
Free to be ourselves and find our place as we shape a hopeful future
Pembroke is a unique co-educational, independent, day and boarding school, free-spirited with an egalitarian ethos at our core. Authenticity matters, and privilege has no place at our School.
Our strength derives from our commitment to serve and harness our talents to build a fairer, more equitable and respectful future for all. Our learning and caring culture embraces difference and diversity of experience and character. At Pembroke, all voices shape our community and there is a place for everyone.
Personal Excellence for Every Student
Pembroke is characterised by bright expectations and hope for all. We set the bar high, valuing the stretch of academic challenge and personal excellence for every student. We believe all learners deserve choice. We are a place where students’ voices, passions, talents and dreams are known, championed and nurtured.
Our students learn deeply, make connections across disciplines, and apply their knowledge and skills to unique and complex problems. Their learning is informed by data and a firm understanding of their strengths and needs as individuals. We care for the whole young person with a commitment to their wellbeing and development. As a proudly non-denominational school with a Christian heritage, we embrace the spiritual, moral and ethical dimensions of being human, focusing on what connects us in a pluralistic society.
Leaders in Education
Our staff are experts in their fields, dedicated to personal and professional development and improvement. They are committed to serving the broader educational community and honing their talents to empower others. As a school, we are a destination of excellence with a culture of collegiality where educators build career and character as they guide the learners and leaders of tomorrow.
The foundation of our School is our community. We forge deep and enduring connections that define our past, present and future.
At Pembroke, we are stronger together.
Aims & Charters
School Aims
The Pembroke School Aims emerge from our rich educational heritage and underpin all of our educational endeavours. They are at the core of our vision for co-educational learning in the 21st century:
- To offer our students the means to develop a broad and deep knowledge base thus enabling them to act effectively as well-informed citizens.
- To create a dynamic learning community which encourages self-management, curiosity, intellectual rigour, enjoyment, innovation and the exploration of each individual’s potential.
- To facilitate the social, physical and emotional development of each student emphasising student safety, personal growth, integrity, respect for differences in people, resilience, an appreciation of the environment, a sense of social responsibility and care for others.
- To encourage the exploration of students’ spiritual values and their power to make ethical decisions.
- To promote thoughtful, respectful and informed participation in the community locally, nationally and internationally with an emphasis on seeking justice for all.
Student Charters
Created by the students, for the students, the Pembroke Student Charters sit alongside our School Aims, featuring standards our students aim to model across our School as proud members of the Pembroke community.
Senior School Student Charter
- Be active in creating a welcoming and inclusive community, which recognises diversity and embraces difference in sexuality, religion, gender, ability, appearance, age and race.
- Build respectful relationships that are underpinned by a commitment to safety, equality, consent and decency. We understand that genuine relationships are born from respect, honesty and integrity. This extends to our peers, teachers, professional services staff and environment.
- Encourage a culture that is dedicated to learning, passionate about individual endeavour and appreciates everyone’s unique strengths and abilities.
- Embrace connection in all its forms. When we are at Pembroke, we aim to foster and experience a sense of belonging that is built upon our duty of care to one another.
- Acknowledge the consequences and take responsibility for our individual and collective decisions. Speaking out on injustice is supported, yet we understand the courage required to challenge our peers.
- Be mindful of the social landscape and empower each other to enact meaningful and thoughtful change in the local, national and global communities both in person and online.
- Explore the broad range of opportunities and experiences at Pembroke. We are appreciative, grateful and motivated by these opportunities and encourage each other to embrace this privilege.
Middle School Student Charter
- Be active in creating a welcoming and inclusive community which embraces diversity and difference; in sexuality, religion, gender, physical ability, age and race.
- Build respectful relationships that are demonstrated by a commitment to equality, consent and respect of others. We understand that genuine relationships are derived from respect, honesty and integrity, which extends to our peers, teachers, professional services staff and environment. Inappropriate physical interaction has no place in our lives at Pembroke.
- Encourage a culture that is dedicated to learning, passionate about individual pursuits and interests and appreciates everyone’s unique strengths and abilities.
- Embrace friendship in all its forms. When we are at Pembroke, we aim to experience a sense of belonging that is built upon our care to one another.
- Acknowledge the consequences and take responsibility for our decisions both as individuals and as groups. When faced with injustice, having the courage to speak up is supported.
- Be mindful of the social environment and empower each other to demonstrate meaningful and thoughtful change in the local, national and global communities both in person and online.
- Explore the broad range of opportunities and experiences at Pembroke. We will be appreciative, grateful, motivated and will encourage each other to embrace these offerings.
Junior School Student Charter
- Be caring and reflective to create a culture of belonging.
- Communicate and be open-minded to develop and grow relationships.
- Be courageous and balanced learners by engaging in inquiry.
- Be principled and think carefully about the impact of our actions.
- Be curious about people and the world.
Our Values
School Mascot
The Pembroke Phoenix represents immortality, renewal and regeneration. Our Mascot embodies the strength, unity and spirit of our School through determination and by embracing challenges.
