Downe House Riyadh opens doors for new admissions to premium, British curriculum all-girls' education in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Downe House Riyadh, the only premium British all-girls' school in Saudi Arabia and Riyadh, empowers young girls to achieve excellence, fostering confidence, ambition, and choice in a nurturing environment. This principle aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, advancing women’s education and skills for workforce participation and national growth.
Downe House School’s Riyadh campus, now in its third year, is inviting new applications for the academic year 2025-26. With its diverse activities focused on empowering girls to discover their talents, passions and inclinations to carve out their individual career journeys. The school also extends a global connection, being linked with Downe House UK.
Leadership opportunities have been a cornerstone of the school’s model. Whether through student councils, clubs, or community projects, Downe House Riyadh is committed to ensuring that every girl develops the skills and confidence to lead in her unique way. While providing excellent scholastic development, this premium institution also offers over 60 Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs), including sports, arts, and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and providing a tailored education that combines the best of the British curriculum alongside the traditions, culture and language of Saudi Arabia.
While inviting new admissions into this prestigious school, Ms. Deborah Sharifi, Head of School said, “At Downe House Riyadh, we believe that a school is defined by the students who walk through its doors. Their success, their achievements — they are our advocates. We operate on a bold philosophy: The future is hers. This is not just a statement; it’s a commitment to providing a tailored education that empowers girls to break any glass ceilings they choose.”
Ms. Sharifi also added, “Here, each student finds her voice, builds her confidence, and takes ownership of her future. We nurture resilient, confident, and compassionate girls who are not just prepared to succeed—they are prepared to lead, to inspire, and to make a lasting impact on their communities and the world. At Downe House Riyadh, there is no limit to what she can achieve—because the future is hers.'
Ms Emma McKendrick, Headmistress of Downe House UK and a Board member of Downe House Riyadh, who will be visiting the school in Riyadh January 2025, commented, “Downe House Riyadh is a wonderful extension of Downe House, one of most prestigious all girls schools in the United Kingdom. Downe House consistently ranks within the top 2% of independent schools in the UK. Our students take up places at top universities in the UK and across the world, including the USA, Canada and Australia. In 2022, 89% took up places offered at their first-choice universities, with 82% heading to Russell Group universities and 29% to the World’s Top 50. Many students (24%) went on to read STEM subjects including 10% reading Medicine and Medical Sciences, with Politics, Economics and Management, as well as creative and performing arts courses being very well represented.”
Since August 2022, Downe House Riyadh has educated girls aged 2-18, welcoming a large number of Saudi students and other expatriates from all over the world. The school’s all-female faculty preserves traditional values and provides a safe and caring environment for pupils. While boys and girls are admitted from nursery to year 4 (ages 3-9), year 5 to 13 (ages 9-18) is exclusively for girls. Downe House Riyadh has strategic connections with both local and international universities for students to move towards their personal career preferences. This includes the esteemed Prince Sultan University where many of the current graduating class are enrolling after Year 13 to advance in their choice of specialisations.
The success of the school with its rich heritage of over 110 years in the UK, lies in its unwavering commitment to empowering young women and adapting to the changing needs of society while staying true to its core values.
