Cities / Riyadh / King's College Riyadh
King's College Riyadh
A purpose-built British school in Diriyah, opened August 2021 in partnership with King's College School UK and now operated with Cognita. English National Curriculum from age 3 to 13, with plans to grow upward.
In brief
A purpose-built British school in Diriyah that opened to its first pupils in August 2021, partnered with King's College School in the UK and now operated in partnership with Cognita.
The campus is just off King Khalid Road in Diriyah and is easily reached from most parts of the city. Facilities include equipped science and design technology labs, a multi-use atrium, art and music studios, an IT lab, library, dedicated Early Years play areas, two indoor sports halls and a mixed-use outdoor pitch. The school follows the English National Curriculum from age 3 to 13 with plans to grow upward, and it is a member school under BSME.
Families talk about engaged teaching, a clean and well-maintained site, and a hands-on head who responds to parents directly. The link to King's College School in the UK gives the brand its weight, and the August 2025 partnership with Cognita brings group-level operational support. Fees sit at the upper end of the Riyadh British market at roughly SAR 53,000 to SAR 79,000.
Fees
Annual fees
| Year level | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-School and Reception (inc VAT) | 3 | SAR 52,784 |
| Years 1-2 (inc VAT) | 5 | SAR 59,381 |
| Years 3-6 (inc VAT) | 7 | SAR 72,578 |
| Year 7 (inc VAT) | 11 | SAR 79,175 |
One-time fees
| Item | Age | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | SAR 550 | |
| Professional Evaluation Fee | SAR 1,100 | |
| Enrolment Admin Fee | SAR 3,800 |
Reviews
- Two Riyadh-focused parents name King's College Riyadh among the British schools to consider, alongside Downe House Riyadh, when families ask which English-medium options have UK-trained teachers.
- The school opened in 2021 as the first international school under Riyadh's International Schools Attraction Program, partnered with the UK's King's College Wimbledon. Public discussion is still light because cohorts are still building.
- Parent surveys for the Riyadh campus have not yet been aggregated. School-side and directory testimonials describe engaging, energetic teachers, a responsive headmaster, a clean campus and visible academic progress, but the volume is small and most quotations route back through the school.
- Cognita took over operation in August 2025. From 2027-28, a second campus opens in SEDRA and the Diriyah site reverts to primary only. Parents weighing a long-term commitment should factor in the operator transition and the planned phase split.
- Independent parent signal is genuinely thin; treat the picture as early and provisional rather than settled.
Positives
- Visibility on the British-school shortlist. Riyadh commenters name it alongside Downe House when parents ask for UK-curriculum options.
- Early-cohort signal. What parent signal exists points to engaging teaching and a responsive head, but the sample is small.
Considerations
- Operator transition. Cognita took over in 2025; a SEDRA campus follows in 2027-28 with Diriyah reverting to primary only.
- Independent volume is thin. Directory testimonials dominate; independent forum threads are scarce because the school is still young.
Leadership
Jacqueline Doran
At King’s College Riyadh, exceptional education begins with exceptional people. Our dedicated team of leaders and teachers share a commitment to academic excellence, personal growth and student wellbeing. Each member of staff brings expertise, passion and care to every aspect of school life.
Accreditations
- British Schools in the Middle East accreditation 01
Academic results
- Arabic language outcomes rated Very Good