Cities / Riyadh / Downe House Riyadh
Downe House Riyadh
A premium British girls' school operated under licence from Downe House UK, opened in 2022 and now part of the Cognita Middle East network, with strong facilities and the usual unevenness of a young school.
In brief
A premium British girls' school operated under licence from Downe House UK, opened in 2022 and now part of the Cognita Middle East network, with strong facilities and the usual unevenness of a young school.
Downe House Riyadh opened in August 2022 as the first premium British all-girls school in Saudi Arabia, with a co-ed Pre-Prep and Prep up to Year 5 and girls only from Year 6 to Year 13. Year 13 came online in 2024, and August 2025 brought a partnership with Cognita Middle East alongside continuing branding and academic links to Downe House UK. CIS, BSME, and COBIS Patrons accreditations sit on the wall.
The Aqiq campus, designed by two Saudi female architects, is among the most striking in Riyadh. Parent voice is split. Many describe a confident, well-supported daughter and a leadership team that listens. Others describe pastoral care and parent communication that have not yet matched the price tag. Families choosing Downe House are buying into a long curve of improvement under a well-known operator.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery | 3 | SAR 54,855 |
| Pre-School | 4 | SAR 54,855 |
| Reception | 5 | SAR 54,855 |
| Years 1-2 | 6 | SAR 67,045 |
| Years 3-6 | 7 | SAR 79,235 |
| Years 7-9 | 11 | SAR 85,330 |
| Years 10-11 | 14 | SAR 91,425 |
| Years 12-13 | 16 | SAR 97,520 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | SAR 575 | |
| Registration Fee | SAR 1,150 | |
| Enrolment Fee | SAR 4,025 |
Reviews
- Opened in August 2022 as the first premium British all-girls school in Saudi Arabia, in the Al Aqiq district of Riyadh. Joined the Cognita group in 2025.
- Public reviews are split. One ratings site holds the school at around 3.8 of 5. One parent said "amazing facilities and super friendly staff with a great vision" and another that "teachers are genuinely dedicated to each student's success and create a nurturing environment". A separate parent said "the method is very rude. I don't know why there is no professionalism in dealing" and another that "the quality of care given and the attitude towards parents and children is not great".
- Strengths cited: the campus and 560-seat theatre, science labs and sports complex, the all-girls focus, and reported A Level and IGCSE results. School data points to an early A Level cohort with high pass rates.
- One parent summed up positioning as "a British school with teachers from the UK", positioned alongside Kings College Riyadh as the British female-friendly options.
- An independent experience visit has not yet been completed; the negative parent voices concentrate on administration tone and parent communication rather than teaching quality.
Positives
- British girls-only model. Parents specifically choose it for being a British, all-girls campus in Riyadh; staffed with UK teachers
- Facilities. 560-seat theatre, sports complex with indoor pool, science labs, Microsoft Centre of Excellence highlighted across reviews
- Academic delivery. Early A Level cohort with strong pass rates and 18% top-grade entries at I/GCSE; teachers described as dedicated and approachable
Considerations
- Administration and parent communication. Multiple parents flag rudeness and lack of professionalism in handling parents; one says quality of care is not great
Leadership
Deborah Sharifi
At Downe House Riyadh, we are committed to delivering an exceptional education, and that starts with our outstanding team of school leaders and teachers. Our faculty members are not only experts in their fields but are also dedicated to fostering a culture of academic excellence, personal growth, and student wellbeing.
Accreditations
- Council of International Schools 01
- British Schools in the Middle East accreditation 02
- COBIS Patron's Accreditation and Compliance 03
Academic results
- A-Level Pass Rate 100%
- IGCSE grades 9-8 18%