Beech Hall Riyadh is a new international school in Al Khuzama, Riyadh. It claims to be the first fully inclusive school with a non-selective admissions process, which means that children do not have to sit an entrance exam or assessment to join the school community.

The story so far...

Beech Hall International School Riyadh has been founded by UK-based Chatsworth Schools, through its international consultancy division, Blenheim Schools, in partnership with local Saudi business, Fawaz Al Hokair Group, and consultants Emkan Education. It claims to be the first full inclusive school in Saudi Arabia, with a non-selective admissions policy, whereby no assessment or testing will take place and the school will adapt its programme to support children, whatever their educational needs.

Beech Hall Riyadh was the second international school under the Chatsworth/Blenheim banner that was due to open in the Middle East this year.  The other school - Citizens School Dubai - also bears very similar ambitions and curriculum plans. However, for undisclosed reasons, Chatsworth is no longer connected with the Dubai school.

Beech Hall Riyadh opened in September 2022 for students from age 3-11 years (pre-KG to Grade 6) as a co-educational environment, together with Grades 7 and 8 for Girls only.  Although designated an international school, Beech Hall's owners have been very clear that they aim to attract a significant contingent of local Saudi families.

The Founding Principal at Beech Hall Riyadh is David Ardley, he joins Beech Hall School in Riyadh from his most recent role as Assistant Head at the Lyceum Alpinum, Zuoz near Saint Moritz – an international boarding school in the Swiss Alps.

What about the Curriculum?

Beech Hall School Riyadh, in addition to Ministry of Education Arabic and Islamic studies, will offer the International Early Years, Primary and Middle Years curricula. These are an adaptation of the English National Curriculum specifically for international schools.

For senior students, Beech Hall will offer a choice of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or an American High School Diploma in the latter years.  At this stage, the school has not formally applied for accreditation for either programme, but will need to do so. 

Most of the teaching will be in English, but the school will also offer ‘robust Arabic and Islamic studies’.  For English Language learners, addition support will be offered through one-to-one or group teaching.  At the Primary level at least, the school has a no-homework policy, although it encourages parents to develop their children’s learning further through shared activities outside school.  

Whilst the school will follow the international curricula mentioned, The Beech Hall Riyadh Tapestry - will be integrated with the international programmes.

What about support for students with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities?

Whilst Beech Hall Riyadh makes much of its intention to be a fully-inclusive school, educating students of all abilities, parents should be aware that this may come at an additional price. The school will operate differentiated support for students, based on their level of need.

What about the Facilities?

Unfortunately, images of the school currently largely remain renderings, but the building is said to have “stunning light, bright purpose-built, bespoke learning environments, which are engaging, exciting but not overwhelming.”  

Specialist STEM, Science and computing facilities, together with a theatre, are available. In addition, spaces are provided throughout the building, designed to have a specific purpose for Occupational Therapy, Emotional and Behavioural support, Physical therapy or sensory support. As with the more generalist learning spaces at the school, these spaces also are flexible, so that they can be altered and developed according to the needs of the students at any given time.

The Buzz

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Our View

As with any new school, parents are always taking something of a gamble, given the lack of previous history and experience. The team behind Beech Hall Riyadh at Chatsworth Schools does, however, clearly have long experience in the provision of inclusive schools, notably in the UK. 

It will, however, have some serious competition from a number of new international schools that have entered the market under the Royal Commission of Riyadh City, several of whom already have strong experience of operating international schools, in some cases in the Middle East. 

What about the Fees?

In line with local practice, Beech Hall Riyadh follows the local for its youngest (3+) students of Kindergarten 1 (pre-KG equivalent), Kindergarten 2 (KG1 equivalent) and Kindergarten 3 (KG2 equivalent).  Approved fees for KG1 and KG2 are 55,000 SAR, but these are discounted to 41,000 SAR for the first year.  KG 3 official fees are 60,000 SAR, but also reduced to 41,000 SAR for the first year.

Grades 1 and 2 are 44,000 SAR (reduced from 65,000 SAR) whilst those for Grades 3 to 6 are a uniform 47,000 SAR (reduced from 80,000 SAR). The school is also opening Girls-only classes in Grades 7 and 8 with fees reduced to 50,000 SAR from 85,000 SAR. The equivalent Boys classes are expected to open for the 2023 academic year.

These fees are line with those of a number of new premium-priced schools entering the Riyadh market this academic year.

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