Pembroke House has appointed Frank Rumboll as its next Headmaster, with the experienced African education leader set to take up the role in the Michaelmas Term of the 2027–2028 academic year.
The appointment marks an important leadership transition for the school as it approaches its 100th anniversary. For parents, educators and school leaders, the move also highlights how established schools are planning succession while protecting their culture, traditions and educational values.
Rumboll joins Pembroke House from The Ridge School in Johannesburg. He brings 23 years of experience as a Headmaster in Africa, including leadership roles at The Ridge and Cedar House School in Cape Town.
Frank Rumboll Named As Pembroke House Headmaster
Pembroke House selected Rumboll following an extensive international recruitment process.
Sixteen candidates were initially long-listed. Four candidates from New Zealand, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and South Africa were then shortlisted and invited to Pembroke for further interviews and engagement with the school community.
The candidates also spent a weekend at the school during the Ndume 7s event. Their assessment included presentations to pupils, interviews with Council, the Ministry of Education and the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.
They also met individually with the current Headmistress and completed practical exercises designed to assess how they would respond to the demands of leading a preparatory school.
Following the process, Council unanimously selected Rumboll as the candidate best placed to lead Pembroke House into its second century.
Rumboll Brings Extensive African Education Experience
Rumboll has spent more than two decades in school leadership across Southern Africa.
He previously led Cedar House School in Cape Town before becoming Headmaster of The Ridge School in Johannesburg. His wider career has included teaching and senior leadership positions at several leading schools.
He attended Kimberley Boys’ High School before studying English and History at Rhodes University. He later trained as a schoolmaster and completed an Honour’s Degree in Literature and a Master’s in Education at the University of the Witwatersrand.
His professional experience also extends beyond school leadership. Rumboll was a co-creator of South Africa’s Advanced English Programme curriculum and helped train teachers delivering the programme.
He also served as Chief Examiner for English at the Independent Examinations Board and worked as a part-time lecturer at the University of the Witwatersrand.
In addition, he has contributed to textbooks and educational resources, including work for Oxford University Press.
Rumboll has also completed the Leadership Development Programme for School Heads at Wits Business School and a Klingenstein Independent School Leadership Fellowship with Teachers College, Columbia University in the City of New York.
A Leadership Focused On Children And School Culture
Council highlighted Rumboll’s passion for children, learning and Pembroke House during the selection process.
His approach will focus on ensuring that pupils remain happy and adventurous while maintaining the qualities that make the school distinctive.
Importantly, Rumboll has also placed emphasis on stewardship. This includes protecting Pembroke House’s culture and traditions while continuing to seek improvements across the school.
For parents, this approach could provide reassurance during a leadership transition. Maintaining continuity can be particularly important in schools where community culture and long-standing traditions form a significant part of the pupil experience.
Leadership Transition Begins Ahead Of 2027
The appointment also begins a planned transition between Rumboll and current Headmistress Mrs Boyd-Moss.
Boyd-Moss has led Pembroke House for many years and will have completed more than 22 years at the school by the time she leaves.
Council praised her leadership and contribution to the school community. Her tenure has included a focus on maintaining the school’s values, sense of belonging and wider educational experience.
Over the coming year, Boyd-Moss and Rumboll will work together to support the transition.
Her experience and knowledge of Pembroke House will help Rumboll understand the school’s particular context before he formally takes over in 2027.
Pembroke House Prepares For Its Second Century
The leadership change comes as Pembroke House approaches its 100th anniversary.
The school is using the milestone to reflect on its first century while also preparing for its next chapter.
Rumboll’s appointment therefore comes at a significant point in the school’s history. His experience across African education and preparatory schools will shape the next phase of leadership.
For the Pembroke House community, the transition will also provide an opportunity to retain established traditions while considering how the school should develop for future generations.
Council Chairman Thomas Wright said the school looks forward to welcoming Rumboll, his wife Debbie, their daughters Kim, Jaidan and Sarah, and their labradors to the Pembroke House community.
The planned handover gives the school a full academic year to prepare for the change. As a result, pupils, families and staff will have time to become familiar with the incoming Headmaster before he formally begins his new role.
