Downe House Riyadh Unveils Diwan Al-Ḍād – a New Hub for Arabic Language, Culture and Heritage

The new centre will bring students, educators and the wider community together to celebrate Arabic language and Saudi heritage, while creating new opportunities for cultural exchange and learning.

 Downe House Riyadh has officially opened Diwan Al-Ḍād, its new Arabic Centre of Excellence, marking the next stage in the school’s commitment to placing Arabic language, Saudi culture and heritage at the heart of its educational community.

The launch of Diwan Al-Ḍād represents an important milestone for Downe House Riyadh, reinforcing its commitment to bringing together British educational excellence and Saudi cultural heritage. The Centre will provide a dedicated space to celebrate the Arabic language, deepen students’ understanding of their cultural identity and strengthen their connection to the Kingdom’s rich traditions, while supporting the school’s vision to empower young women to thrive in an increasingly globalised world.

More than a teaching space, Diwan Al-Ḍād has been created as a living and immersive hub where students can explore Arabic beyond the traditional classroom and deepen their connection with the language and its cultural significance. It will provide a space for learning, creativity and exchange, bringing Arabic to life through experiences that connect language with literature, the arts and contemporary society.

The Centre will host a diverse programme of cultural and educational activities, from exhibitions celebrating Arabic literature and heritage to poetry, storytelling and performing arts. Speakers, workshops and discussions will also explore the role of Arabic in contemporary fields including diplomacy, media, business and innovation, demonstrating its relevance to the lives and future aspirations of young people.

H.E. Faisal bin Abdulrahman bin Muaammar, Chairman of the Board of Downe House Riyadh, said: “Arabic is central to our identity and carries a rich intellectual and cultural legacy. Through Diwan Al-Ḍād, we are creating a space that celebrates this heritage and supports a generation of young women who are proud of their roots and confident in the contribution they can make to the future of the Kingdom. It is also a space where British and Saudi educational traditions meet with confidence and mutual respect, with language and culture acting as bridges between our communities.”

Diwan Al-Ḍād will also provide a platform for engagement with the wider educational community in Riyadh. By bringing together educators, students and schools for professional learning, knowledge exchange and collaborative events, Downe House Riyadh aims to encourage dialogue and the sharing of best practice in Arabic education.

The opening reflects Downe House Riyadh’s wider vision to deliver premium British education that is deeply rooted in Saudi culture and connected to the Kingdom’s future. As part of the Cognita global schools group, Downe House Riyadh combines its distinctive British educational heritage with access to the expertise and shared learning of a global community of schools. Through Diwan Al-Ḍād, the school aims to demonstrate how Arabic can sit at the heart of an international education, giving students the confidence to embrace their cultural identity while preparing to pursue their ambitions on a global stage.

Ms Deborah Sharifi, Principal of Downe House Riyadh, said: “Diwan Al-Ḍād is more than a new space within our school; it is a statement of intent. At Downe House Riyadh, we believe our girls should never have to choose between international ambition and pride in their Saudi language, culture and identity. Through Diwan Al-Ḍād, we want them to embrace the strength of both and grow into confident young women ready to help shape the future of the Kingdom.”

The initiative also reflects the value of cultural exchange, and the role British education can play in celebrating Saudi heritage. Dr Alice Burt, Deputy Ambassador at the British Embassy Riyadh, said: “Diwan Al-Ḍād is a wonderful example of how education can build meaningful connections between cultures while strengthening young people’s sense of identity. It is encouraging to see Downe House Riyadh, a British school in Riyadh placing Arabic language and Saudi heritage so prominently within its educational community.”

The opening of Diwan Al-Ḍād supports the ambitions of Saudi Vision 2030 by strengthening cultural identity and heritage within education and helping to prepare globally minded young people who remain strongly connected to their language and culture. It is a reminder of the powerful role education can play in bringing communities and nations together, honouring our heritage and shared history while empowering young people, particularly young women, to shape the future of the Kingdom

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 a strong focus on wellbeing, Downe House Riyadh delivers a premium British education rooted in the culture and heritage of Saudi Arabia. The school brings together the strengths of a British education with a deep connection to the Kingdom, its language, culture and ambitions for the future.

There is no single definition of a Downe House girl. Every student brings her own strengths, ambitions and aspirations, and success can take many different forms. What unites our students is a shared Downe House DNA, built on values, character and confidence, empowering every girl to thrive, aim high, embrace opportunity and shape her future with purpose.

In the 2025/26 academic year, Downe House Riyadh celebrated strong examination outcomes, achieving a 100% pass rate across AS and A Levels, with almost half of all grades awarded at A*–B. Students also secured places and scholarship opportunities at leading universities in Saudi Arabia and internationally, including the University of California, Berkeley. GCSE students achieved strong results with 86% of grades awarded at 9–4 or above.

In 2026, the school was also recognised with the EdArabia Parents’ Choice Award, reflecting the trust, experiences and recommendations of families within the school community.

Downe House Riyadh’s personality—its DNA—is defined by:  Compassion, Collaboration, Resilience, Creativity, Aspiration, Communication, and being Outward Looking. 

About Cognita

Founded in 2004, Cognita is a trusted global schools group, educating more than 100,000 children across 20 countries in Latin America, the US, UK, Europe, Middle East, Southeast Asia and India. Across its schools, more than 22,000 teaching and support colleagues deliver 14 different academic curricula, reflecting the diverse identities, communities and approaches to education within the group.

Cognita brings together people, ideas and expertise to help each school become stronger, while protecting what makes it special. Educators are connected across the group to share what works, learn from one another and explore new ideas, helping schools continually strengthen how and what children learn.

Behind every thriving school are extraordinary people. Cognita creates opportunities for teachers and leaders to develop, connect and grow throughout their careers, while providing the systems, resources and support that make life work better behind the scenes. This gives teachers more time to teach, leaders more freedom to lead and schools the foundations they need to thrive.

Being part of a global group also makes more possible. Schools and their communities benefit from shared expertise, connections and opportunities across countries and regions, while retaining their own identity, character and relationship with their local community.