In a landmark moment for Nigeria’s educational landscape, Charterhouse Lagos, an affiliate of 400-year-old Charterhouse School, one of the UK’s leading independent institutions, is poised to welcome its inaugural cohort of students this September for the 2024/25 academic session.
As West Africa’s first British independent school prepares for its grand opening in Ogombo, Lekki, Lagos, it leaves no stone unturned in its quest to provide a holistic and world-class educational experience for all its new students.
To accomplish this, Charterhouse Lagos is building one of the world’s best learning campuses on 70 hectares of land in Lekki, Lagos, to provide a world-class learning environment never offered in Nigeria. The school leadership, led by John Todd, Director of Education and Founding Head, promises to make the school the safest and most premium place for learning.
To actualise this lofty objective, the school forged strategic partnerships with three prestigious Nigerian brands: Evercare Hospital, Ruff & Tumble, and Pan African Catering Services. These collaborations will ensure students learn in five-star facilities, are taught by globally tested teachers, are clothed in premium and durable uniforms, are protected by a world-class healthcare service provider, and are catered for by a catering service that meets and exceeds international standards.
At the heart of Charterhouse Lagos’ philosophy lies a commitment to academic excellence and all-round development. Drawing inspiration from its over 400-year British educational heritage, the school aims to encourage intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and international-mindedness in its students. This rigorous approach prepares students academically and equips them with the skills and confidence to thrive in an ever-changing world.
Charterhouse Lagos’ partnership with Ruff & Tumble, a renowned Nigerian clothing brand, exemplifies the school’s dedication to integrating global standards with local identity. This collaboration ensures that students wear comfortable, stylish uniforms that reflect the school’s ethos of excellence while promoting high-quality local craftsmanship and pride in Nigerian-made products. Ruff & Tumble works closely with the school to design uniforms that meet practical needs and high standards of excellence.
According to Angela Hencher, the Chief Operating Officer at Charterhouse Lagos, “The decision to choose Ruff’ n’ Tumble celebrates the global capabilities and credentials of Nigeria, affirming our belief in the quality, reputation and values of Ruff n Tumble and the potentials that are inherent in this country. Ruff’ n’ Tumble will provide uniforms for students in Years 1 to Year 6, with special provisions for house uniforms exclusively for boarders in Years 5 and 6. This decision was made after an intensive evaluation of top clothing manufacturers from China, the UK, and Nigeria.”
Also expressing her excitement about the partnership, Adenike Ogunlesi, Founder and Chief Responsibility Officer, stated, “We are thrilled to partner with Charterhouse Lagos, the first British independent school in Nigeria, reinforcing our commitment to delivering premium-quality products and excellent customer service.” Students of this institution will be able to wear uniforms that show style, durability, and practicality—qualities synonymous with Charterhouse Lagos’s prestige and class.”
Similarly, Charterhouse Lagos has partnered with Evercare Hospital, a Nigerian-based healthcare provider renowned for its world-class medical care services. This partnership ensures that students are assured of top-quality medical care and support, providing parents with peace of mind and students with a healthy and safe learning environment.
Angela Hencher emphasised the importance of this partnership at the official signing ceremony on March 15, 2024, saying, “Evercare’s commitment to excellence, innovation, and patient-centred care aligns perfectly with our mission to provide the highest quality services to our students and staff. Evercare Hospital Lekki Limited will manage the school’s medical centre and will provide a wide range of healthcare services, including medical consultations, preventive care, and emergency medical assistance.”
The partnership with Evercare Hospital aligns with WHO’s technical reports on Promoting Health Through Schools. The report states that “school itself through its culture, organisation and management; the quality of its physical and social environment; its curricula teaching and learning methods; and the manner in which student’s progress is assessed- has a direct effect on self-esteem, educational achievement and therefore the health of a student and staff. Thus, schools are effective as health-promoting environments only to the extent that they are healthy as organisations. Moreover, when they are effective health-promoting organisations, they are in a position to enable students and staff to achieve, to acquire the tools and resources with which to do so, and to mediate among the various institutions and social structures that can contribute to the efforts”.
Kehinde Oyesiku, Chief Business Officer of Evercare Hospital Lekki Limited, shared this view about the partnership, highlighting the hospital’s ability to proffer outstanding healthcare solutions in Lagos: “We at Evercare Hospital are dedicated to revolutionising healthcare in Lagos through our commitment to innovation and excellence. Our partnership with Charterhouse Lagos exemplifies our mission to deliver advanced healthcare solutions that enhance the quality of care and improve accessibility for all community members.
The quest to drive comprehensive quality control and care in the school also inspired a partnership with another Nigerian premium service provider, Pan African Catering Services, solidifying Charterhouse’s philosophy of providing a comprehensive education that nurtures students’ overall well-being.
Angela Hencher emphasised the meticulous selection process before choosing the catering service providers that embodied the school’s dedication to excellence. She stated, “We are delighted to partner with PACS, a company that shares our dedication to excellence and the well-being of our community. This collaboration will ensure that our students, staff, and visitors enjoy the best in nutritional care, supporting their overall health and well-being.
Leye Akingbe, Managing Director of Pan African Catering Services, expressed her excitement about the partnership. She highlighted the company’s extensive catering industry experience and commitment to providing top-tier services: “We are honoured to collaborate with Charterhouse Lagos and to contribute to the school’s mission of excellence. Our team is dedicated to delivering high-quality, nutritious meals that meet the highest food safety and hygiene standards.”
All these innovations and superior partnerships support Nigerian businesses and, most importantly, shape how premium education should be administered in Nigeria, and Charterhouse Lagos is leading the way in this transformation. As the school begins its academic journey, it is explicit that Charterhouse Lagos is more than just a school—it is a movement that will inspire quality learning and build the next generation of Nigerians into global leaders.
