Brighton College Riyadh is set to open in 2028, bringing the British independent school’s educational approach to Saudi Arabia for the first time. The project follows a strategic partnership between Maarif Education and Brighton College, with a second school planned for 2030.
The agreement will give families in the Kingdom another option for British international education. It also marks an expansion of Brighton College’s global network, which includes schools in the UK, UAE, Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam.
Brighton College Riyadh Marks First Saudi Schools
Under the partnership, Maarif Education and Brighton College plan to open two schools in Riyadh. The first is scheduled to welcome pupils in 2028, followed by a second campus in 2030.
The schools will become the fifteenth and sixteenth members of Brighton College’s international family. They will also be the group’s first schools in Saudi Arabia.
For parents, the planned openings offer another British education option to consider when making decisions about their children’s schooling. However, families will need further details on admissions, fees, curriculum arrangements and the schools’ locations as the projects progress.
What The Partnership Means For Saudi Education
Maarif Education said the partnership reflects its ambition to expand access to British education in the Kingdom. Its stated priorities include academic excellence, character development and supporting every student’s potential.
Brighton College brings an established British independent school name to the partnership. According to the announcement, The Sunday Times named Brighton College the UK School of the Decade and ranked it first among international campuses. In 2026, it ranked second in Britain for A-Level results.
These credentials may interest families seeking a British-style education. Nevertheless, parents should look for further information about the planned Riyadh schools’ teaching approach, qualifications, pastoral care and extracurricular provision before making enrolment decisions.
British Embassy Ceremony Announces The Partnership
The partnership was announced at a ceremony at the British Embassy in Riyadh, hosted by Her Excellency Alice Burt, Deputy Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Saudi Arabia.
His Excellency Dr Hussam Zaman, Chairman of the Board of Maarif Education, attended alongside senior education leaders, government representatives, national and international organisations, and private-sector and business leaders.
The announcement also acknowledged Francis Maude, Richard Cairns and Maarif Education CEO Ihab Othman for their leadership and contributions to the agreement.
What Parents Should Know Before The Schools Open
With the first Brighton College Riyadh campus planned for 2028, families have time to follow the development and assess whether the school meets their needs.
Further details about tuition fees, admissions timelines, year groups, campus facilities and curriculum delivery will be important as the opening approaches. Parents should also look for information about teacher recruitment, student wellbeing and how the school plans to support pupils transitioning into a British education environment.
The second campus, scheduled for 2030, could widen access to the partnership’s educational offering. For now, the key milestone is the planned arrival of Brighton College in Saudi Arabia, giving families another potential choice within the Kingdom’s international school sector.
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Further Reading
- Why Saudi Arabia Is Becoming A Major Opportunity For International Schools
- School Grading System In Jeddah And What Parents Should Know