School History

In 2017 we celebrated the 40th anniversary of Phoenix International Primary School.

Founded by Mrs. Elizabeth Coventry, the school went through a number of names and locations before moving to the historic site it presently occupies on the Blantyre CCAP Mission grounds. At the time of the move in September 1977, there were 200 children enrolled - a huge increase on the three children who first attended Mrs. Coventry’s school in her garage on Sharpe Rd. Three years later when Mrs. Coventry retired there were 320 Phoenix children.

The name Phoenix was chosen by the then Chairman of the Board, Ian Young, to symbolize the re-birth of  Mrs. Coventry’s School in the new location – out of the ashes of the old is born the new.

Although the premises were bigger and better than any yet occupied, the school was far from perfect. And so began the organic development process that has seen Phoenix evolve into the school it is today.  The ongoing partnership between the school and its parents have been responsible for the building of the school hall, the beautiful 20m pool, expansive playing fields , a fleet of school buses, a purpose built art room, music room and pre-nursery; and our latest project – the refurbished library.

We are now old enough to be educating a second generation in many families. Some of our teaching staff were, once upon a time, students at Phoenix.  We have a history we are proud of and we are in the process of undertaking a strategic planning exercise to guide us towards the future.

While the Phoenix palms have grown taller, the car parks have been paved and our curriculum has evolved, the historic buildings retain their unique character and charm. The classrooms in both the Upper and Lower School open onto our beautiful courtyards, welcoming children, parents and teachers alike.

As we move forward from our 40th birthday, we will continue to evolve and adapt within our Malawi context and with our strong UK Curriculum backbone. But we will remain uniquely Phoenix as we prepare our young learners for the challenges they will face in the wide world around them.