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Cognita Middle East (Cognita ME), the regional hub of the global schools group, has announced a significant expansion, entering into strategic partnerships with five schools and extending its footprint into three new markets – Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar. The move reinforces Cognita’s presence in the region and underscores its commitment to academic excellence and holistic education.
The partner schools include Downe House Riyadh, King’s College Riyadh, Downe House Muscat, Cheltenham Muscat, and King’s College Doha. With these additions, Cognita ME will operate 14 schools across the Middle East, building on its existing portfolio of nine schools in the UAE and Kuwait, which include Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai, the Repton Family of Schools, Horizon International School, Horizon English School, Ranches Primary School, Al Ain English Speaking School, and Dasman Bilingual School. Following this expansion, Cognita ME’s student body in the region will grow to nearly 22,000, while staff numbers will rise to 4,000.
Globally, Cognita operates over 100 schools across 20 countries, supporting more than 100,000 students and 22,000 staff. Educators benefit from advanced professional development programmes, including bespoke team and leadership courses in partnership with the IOE – Faculty of Education and Society at University College London. Students engage in a diverse learning community that blends social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development, fostering strong academic outcomes, an adaptive mindset, and the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
David Baldwin, chief executive officer of Cognita Middle East, commented: “This expansion marks an exciting new chapter for Cognita, strengthening our presence in the Middle East and building on the foundations we’ve established in the UAE and Kuwait. As we grow into Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar, our focus remains on delivering an exceptional education that meets the needs of each community. Every Cognita school has its own unique identity, ethos, and curriculum, shaped by its students and families. We are committed to preserving the individuality of each school while sharing a collective ambition – to create inspiring learning environments that build confidence and help every student realise their full potential.”
In Saudi Arabia, Cognita ME has partnered with Downe House Riyadh and King’s College Riyadh, both launched under the Royal Commission for Riyadh City’s flagship International Schools Attraction Programme. Established in 2022, Downe House Riyadh is the country’s first top-ranked premium British girls’ school, delivering first-class education for boys and girls aged two to nine and an all-girls programme from age 10 to 18. King’s College Riyadh, the first British private school in Saudi Arabia, brings 140 years of expertise from King’s College, UK, offering world-class education for children aged three to 11.
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In Oman, Cognita ME has partnered with Downe House Muscat and Cheltenham Muscat. Downe House Muscat, opened in 2022 as the first British international girls’ school in Oman, recorded exceptional GCSE results in 2024, with 41 per cent of students achieving grades 9–7 (A*–A) and 78 per cent securing grades 9–4 (A*–C). Cheltenham Muscat, Oman’s first premium co-educational British international school opened in 2021, delivered top results in the Pearson Learner Awards, including the highest mark in Oman for GCSE Spanish and Science.
The expansion also marks Cognita ME’s entry into Qatar with King’s College Doha, a British curriculum school for ages three to 18 affiliated with King’s College, UK. In 2024, 51 per cent of students achieved grades 9–7 (A*–A) at GCSE, 97 per cent secured grades 9–4 (A*–C), and 100 per cent of A-Level students earned places at UK universities.
Through these strategic partnerships, Cognita ME aims to leverage its regional and global expertise to accelerate growth, nurture student development, and ensure the success and prosperity of its new school communities in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar.
