Cognita Middle East (Cognita ME) has announced a major expansion by entering into strategic partnerships with five schools and expanding its footprint into three new Middle Eastern markets – Saudi Arabia, Oman and Qatar.
This milestone strengthens its presence in the region and reaffirms 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. Cognita ME will now 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.
As a result of this partnership, Cognita ME’s student numbers in the region will grow to almost 22,000, while its staff will increase to 4,000.
David Baldwin Chief Executive Officer Cognita ME
“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.”
Through this expansion into new markets, Cognita aims to build on its proven success in the Middle East. With a portfolio of schools renowned for delivering high-quality education, nurturing students’ personal development, and empowering them to thrive both academically and personally, Cognita ME will leverage its global and regional expertise, resources, and insights from over 100 schools worldwide to accelerate growth and support the success and prosperity of its new school communities.
Cognita
As one of the world’s leading schools groups, Cognita has a global network of over 100 schools across 20 countries, supporting more than 100,000 students and 22,000 staff. Educators benefit from state-of-the-art professional development programs, including bespoke team and leadership courses in partnership with the world-renowned IOE – Faculty of Education and Society at University College London.
Meanwhile, students join a diverse community of learners where social, emotional, physical and cognitive learning are blended. This approach leads to strong academic outcomes, as well as building agency, an adaptive mindset, and positive attitudes, and enabling them to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.
