King's College Riyadh

What the school is

Diriyah provision and the Sedra plan

The school describes Pre-Prep through Year 2, Prep through Year 8 and a planned Senior School for Years 9–13. In February 2026 it announced a second campus in Sedra, planned for August 2027, with an intended Pre-School-to-Year-13 range. Diriyah is planned to return to primary-only provision. Families joining now should establish which year groups will actually open at Sedra and what happens if the timetable changes.

A Cognita partnership was announced in August 2025, according to WhichSchoolAdvisor. Published material does not say whether the arrangement involves ownership, management or another structure. The same review reports a transfer agreement for Downe House Riyadh boys after Year 4. Families should obtain its assessment, availability and payment terms in writing rather than assume an unconditional place.

Published descriptions show co-education from Pre-School to Year 6 and an expectation of separate classes from Year 7. That is a reported intention, not a confirmed policy for every cohort.

Academics in practice

Curriculum and quality assurance

The English National Curriculum is taught alongside Arabic and Islamic Studies provision. The Taunton partnership connects KCR to the Woodard school tradition; teaching quality at the Riyadh campus is a separate question. Useful evidence would include local quality-assurance reports, classroom visits and details of shared staff training.

The 2026–27 Diriyah range ends at Year 8, before the usual IGCSE and A-level examination stages. It therefore cannot yet supply the same local senior-school results history as a school already teaching those qualifications. Ask how subject choices, specialist staffing and examination preparation are being developed, including the plans for Sedra.

Admissions and cost

Tuition, joining fees and payment policies

For Diriyah in 2026–27, annual tuition excluding VAT is SAR 48,500 for Pre-School and Reception, SAR 53,550 for Years 1–2, SAR 63,750 for Years 3–6 and SAR 72,290 for Years 7–8. The school states that it charges no capital fee. Published Sedra founding-family figures range from SAR 50,750 to SAR 80,250 excluding VAT for 2027–28 and 2028–29; standard figures listed from 2028–29 range from SAR 59,850 to SAR 94,500. The promotion is described as 15%, but the listed endpoints are not exactly 15% below those standard figures. Obtain a grade-specific quotation showing the base amount, discount and applicable years.

The fee page reviewed lists a non-refundable SAR 500 application fee and SAR 5,000 enrolment administration fee, both excluding VAT. The administration fee is due within seven days of the offer. An older 2024–25 policy lists different application, assessment and registration amounts and a deposit of half the first term’s fee. Those historical charges should not be added to a current quotation unless the school specifies that they apply.

The 2025–26 policy requires returning families to pay 20% of the following year’s tuition as a non-refundable re-enrolment payment credited against Term 1. It also describes a June 18 deadline for releasing unpaid places, a SAR 2,000 monthly late charge, a minimum half-term charge for mid-term joiners and one term’s written withdrawal notice. Terms can change for later entry years. The fee page also lists 40%/30%/30% instalments, a 5% annual-payment discount and 5% for third and subsequent children; ask whether discounts can be combined.

The family experience

Travel and family experience

The Diriyah campus is near King Khalid Road. The planned Sedra campus will involve a different journey, so compare both addresses if your child may transfer. Test the school run at morning arrival and afternoon collection times before committing to housing.