Cognita expands into Middle East with five-school partnership

Education group Cognita has entered three new markets in the Middle East after partnering with five British curriculum schools in Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar.

The move marks the group’s expansion into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Sultanate of Oman and Qatar, adding to its existing presence in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait. Cognita now operates 14 schools in the region.

The five schools joining the Cognita network are:

Saudi Arabia

• Downe House Riyadh – established in 2022 as the first premium British all-girls’ school in the Kingdom, now co-educational for children aged two to nine.

• King’s College Riyadh – the first British private school in Saudi Arabia, currently teaching pupils up to Year 6, with plans to expand to Year 7 in 2025.

Oman

• Downe House Muscat – the country’s first British all-girls’ school, offering IGCSE, A-Level and Omani GED pathways.

• Cheltenham Muscat – a co-educational British school delivering a UK curriculum from Pre-Prep to Sixth Form.

Qatar

• King’s College Doha – established in 2016, with two purpose-built campuses: Thumama for ages three to six and Mesaimeer for older students up to A-Level.

These schools were previously operated by EduReach and now form part of Cognita’s global network of over 100 schools in 20 countries, educating more than 100,000 students and supported by 22,000 staff.

Cognita said teachers at the newly partnered schools will gain access to professional development opportunities, including leadership programmes delivered in partnership with University College London’s IOE – Faculty of Education and Society. Students will benefit from Cognita’s holistic educational model focused on social, emotional, physical and cognitive development.

Frank Maassen, group chief executive of Cognita, said: “We are thrilled to partner with three of the UK’s most prestigious education brands, and equally excited to be entering three dynamic new markets in the Middle East. This marks a bold step forward in our global growth and opens up inspiring new opportunities for students, families, and educators across the region.”

David Baldwin, chief executive of Cognita Middle East, added: “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.”

Justin Chippendale, director of international schools for King’s College UK, concluded: “We are incredibly proud of our close partnership with our overseas schools, and joining Cognita provides our pupils and staff with further, unparalleled opportunities to collaborate, innovate and grow.

“In becoming part of a global network of over 100 schools across 20 countries, we gain access to yet more leading educators, world-class professional development, and cutting-edge resources that will enrich the learning experiences across our global pupil body. We are eager to move forward with Cognita and have no doubt that our school communities will continue to thrive while also preserving the unique identity and traditions that make us so special.”