Downe House Riyadh is celebrating Aspiration in Action as students achieve outstanding success in both A Levels and GCSEs for the 2024/25 academic year. These results reflect the school’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence and the development of confident, well-prepared young women.
Exceptional A Level Success
This year’s A Level cohort achieved a 100% pass rate, securing places at leading universities in the UK, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia. The results highlight the dedication of students, the commitment of the teaching staff, and the school’s rigorous approach to learning.
Strong GCSE Achievements
At GCSE level, students also delivered excellent outcomes, with 18% of grades awarded at 9–8 (A*). Among the high achievers, one student was recognised as a Pearson High Achiever, earning five Grade 9–8 (A*) results.
Performance in key subjects demonstrates the strength of the school’s academic programme:
- First Language English: 83% achieved grades 9–6 (A*–B), with a 100% pass rate overall.
- Second Language English: 100% of students achieved grades 9–6 (A*–B).
- Mathematics Higher Tier: 86% achieved grades 9–6 (A*–B).
Principal’s Reflections
Mrs Deborah Sharifi, Principal of Downe House Riyadh, praised the hard work and resilience of the students:
“It has been a privilege to witness our students grow into accomplished, compassionate, and intellectually curious young women. Their results reflect not only their academic efforts, but also the values we uphold here at Downe House Riyadh, including integrity, perseverance, and a genuine commitment to learning. We are proud of all they have achieved and confident in the impact they will make beyond our school community.”
A Commitment to Excellence
As a leading British curriculum school in Saudi Arabia, Downe House Riyadh continues to nurture young women with the knowledge, confidence, and values to succeed at world-class universities and contribute meaningfully to the wider world.
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About Downe House Riyadh
Downe House Riyadh is the only premium British girls’ school in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, opened in August 2022 under the Royal Commission for Riyadh City’s International Schools Attraction Programme. A sister school to Downe House UK and Muscat, it offers co-education from Pre-School to Year 4 and girls-only education from Year 5 to Year 13.
Blending academic excellence with wellbeing, Downe House Riyadh provides an immersive British curriculum enriched with Arabic and Islamic Studies. The school’s philosophy is rooted in a commitment to Doing Well and Being Well, inspiring each student to achieve both academic success and personal growth. Guided by the belief to Work Hard and Aim High, and blending British tradition with innovation, Downe House Riyadh prepares every girl to shape her own future with strength, resilience, and purpose.
Downe House Riyadh’s personality—its DNA—is defined by: Compassion, Collaboration, Resilience, Creativity, Aspiration, Communication, and being Outward Looking.
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About Cognita
Launched in 2004, Cognita is an extraordinary community of schools that span 20 countries and share one common purpose: to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. With over 100 schools in Europe and the US, the Middle East, Latin America, and Asia, Cognita employs over 22,000 teaching and support staff in the care and education of more than 100,000 students. Together, Cognita schools provide a uniquely global education that goes beyond grades, to develop all-round academic excellence – equipping young people with the agency, adaptability and positive attitudes that prepares them to grow, thrive and find their success in a rapidly evolving world.
Cognita Middle East has 14 schools within its portfolio, including: RGS Guildford Dubai, Repton Dubai, Repton Al Barsha and Repton Abu Dhabi, Horizon English School, Horizon International School, Ranches Primary School and Al Ain English Speaking School in the UAE, Dasman Bilingual School in Kuwait, Downe House Riyadh and King’s College Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Downe House Muscat and Cheltenham Muscat in Oman, and King’s College Doha in Qatar.
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