A dedicated teacher from Mitcham has successfully set up a thriving school in Ghana after nearly 20 years of planning and hard work with his wife. Moses Mensah, 56, and his wife Philomena Mensah, 54, originally from Thornton Heath, embarked on this journey in 2006, using their savings and a bank loan to purchase land and start Oakhill Royal International School.

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Now boasting over 100 students, Oakhill Royal International School is preparing its pupils for their first end-of-year exams this summer. Mr. Mensah expressed his pride, stating, “The students are very excited to take their exams. I feel very proud knowing we have provided opportunities for these children to give them a positive future. My wife has made a massive contribution to all of this. I couldn’t have done it without her.”

The Mensahs moved to the UK from Ghana in the early 2000s, initially settling in Mitcham before moving to Thornton Heath. Reflecting on their backgrounds, Mr. Mensah said, “My wife and I both came from humble beginnings, and we wanted to provide children with opportunities that we didn’t have, giving them a good start in life. We didn’t have any schools around, and we have struggled through life to get to where we are now. We want to help Oakhill students unlock their full potential and educate them for the world stage so that they can be true global citizens.”

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Mr. Mensah, who teaches at St Mark’s Academy in Mitcham, part of the Anthem Schools Trust, has drawn inspiration from his work there. Hannah Fahey, principal at St Mark’s Academy, remarked, “Everyone at St Mark’s is so proud of Mr. Mensah and his incredible achievement. We are looking forward to hearing more from him about the progress of Oakhill and seeing how the schools can learn from each other.”

St Mark’s Academy, an all-inclusive Church of England school, upholds “love, hope, and trust” as its core values, foundations that Mr. Mensah has mirrored at Oakhill. He has proposed a potential partnership between the two schools, including an exchange programme in the future.

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Oakhill Royal International School offers the British IGCSE Cambridge Curriculum alongside the Ghanaian Curriculum, allowing students and parents to choose their preferred course of study. The school also supports a local orphanage and provides food and transportation for its pupils. Enrichment activities, including trips to historic landmarks and the fire brigade service, aim to enhance the students' cultural capital.

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Leading the Senior Leadership Team, Mr. Mensah spends every Sunday afternoon online, planning the following week’s activities. He acknowledges the challenges they face, such as the need for a new water purification system, a new coach, and funding to repair broken computers. “It is a huge commitment, but it is worth it,” he said, welcoming any donations to help address these needs.

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