Downe House, Riyadh
Key Stats
Annual Fees: US$15K - US$26K
Curriculum: British
Age Range: 3-18
Students: ~600
Location: Al Aqiq, Riyadh
Updated April 2026
In Brief
If you want a British curriculum school for a daughter in secondary - or a co-ed option for younger children - in north Riyadh near King Abdullah Financial District, Downe House is a well-resourced choice with direct ties to the UK's Downe House school and Cognita's operational network.
Downe House Riyadh is part of Cognita's growing Saudi portfolio and runs the British curriculum from Nursery through to A-Level. Co-ed from Nursery to Year 4, the school transitions to girls-only from Year 5 onwards - a structure that suits families who want a single-sex British secondary environment within an international school setting. The head since August 2024, Mrs Deborah Sharifi, brings continuity from the senior school tradition of the original Downe House in Cold Ash, Berkshire.
Exam results for 2025 are limited by small cohort sizes: A-Level pass rate was 100%, and IGCSE saw 18% of grades at 9-8 (equivalent to A*). Neither figure is statistically meaningful for a large new cohort, but the directional picture is positive. The school is COBIS compliant and recently joined the Cognita group partnership announced in August 2025 - a move that brings shared procurement, staff development, and quality assurance from a 90-plus-school network.
Parent feedback is sparse at this stage - the school is relatively small (around 600 students) and does not yet have the review volume of more established Riyadh schools. Fees sit in the mid-range: SAR 54,855 at Nursery rising to SAR 97,520 for Years 12-13. One-time fees are low at SAR 5,750 total. No VAT figure is separately itemised on the published fee schedule - confirm with the school whether fees are inclusive or exclusive of 15% VAT.
What parents value
- –Girls-only from Year 5 to Year 13 - one of very few options in Riyadh for families seeking a single-sex British secondary environment.
- –Al Aqiq location puts the school in the northernmost growth corridor of Riyadh, convenient for families in Malqa, Sulaymaniyah, and near King Abdullah Financial District.
- –One-time enrolment fees total only SAR 5,750 - significantly lower than BISR (SAR 23,000-plus) or AIS-R (SAR 34,000-plus).
Points of consideration
- –Co-ed only to Year 4 - families with a mixed-age cohort (some boys, some girls) will need to plan for boys to move schools at the end of Year 4.
- –A-Level and IGCSE cohort sizes are small, making published results difficult to benchmark. Ask the school for subject-level results and expected class sizes for your child's year group.
- –VAT treatment is not clearly stated on the published fee schedule - SAR 97,520 for Years 12-13 may or may not include 15% VAT. Confirm the total cost before committing.
Annual Fees
| Year Group | Age | USDTotal Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Nursery | 3 | NaN |
| Pre-School | 4 | NaN |
| Reception | 5 | NaN |
| Years 1-2 | 6 | NaN |
| Years 3-6 | 7 | NaN |
| Years 7-9 | 11 | NaN |
| Years 10-11 | 14 | NaN |
| Years 12-13 | 16 | NaN |
Fees converted from SAR. For the most up to date and accurate figures please double check with the school.
Additional Fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Application Fee | NaN |
| Registration Fee | NaN |
| Enrolment Fee | NaN |
Academic Results
| A-Level Pass Rate | 100% |
| IGCSE grades 9-8 | 18% |
Key results: A-Level Pass Rate 100%, IGCSE grades 9-8 18%.
Extra Curriculars
Contact the school for details on co-curricular activities and facilities. Ask what a normal week looks like outside lessons for your child's age group and interests.
Inspections & Accreditations
Inspection
No published inspection details are currently available.
Accreditations
Accreditation details are not publicly listed.
Memberships
Membership details are not publicly listed.
Student Body
Riyadh's international schools serve a diverse community of families on corporate assignments and long-term residents. Contact the school for current enrolment details and nationality breakdown.
Leadership
School leadership
Contact the school for current leadership details.