Downe House Riyadh

Downe House Riyadh supports social and emotional learning (SEL) through a dedicated pastoral care framework aligned to the Cognita Be Well Charter. Pastoral care aims to nurture happy, resilient, and adaptable learners, with wellbeing at the heart of learning. Dedicated teachers provide personalised care, guiding each girl through her learning journey and helping build resilience and self-esteem. The school emphasises an all-girls environment and Downe House DNA values—Compassion, Collaboration, Resilience, Creativity, Aspiration, Communication, Outward Looking, and Digital Ready—to foster confidence and leadership. Be Well Charter is applied across daily routines, incorporating six pillars, healthy food choices, regular physical activity, and volunteering opportunities such as the Sparkle Foundation to support social engagement. This Be Well framework supports SEL within the school's broader wellbeing and safeguarding culture.

Learning Support for mild-to-moderate SEN is provided through a dedicated Learning Support Department. Every student requiring learning support has an Individual Education Plan (IEP) outlining specific strategies to access the curriculum. Specialist staff work closely with classroom teachers to ensure IEPs are embedded in lesson planning, with targeted support available in one-to-one or small-group sessions. The school describes its SEN provision as inclusive and delivered through the Learning Support Department rather than a specialist external centre. It does not indicate operating a dedicated specialist SEN institution.

English as an Additional Language (EAL) is supported through a comprehensive EAL programme. The EAL provision includes group sessions, one-to-one tuition, and access to online activities and mentoring. Students receiving EAL support are regularly assessed, with progress monitored and interventions adjusted as needed. EAL support may be identified at admission or as a student progresses through the school. Additional charges apply for specialist EAL tuition.

Mental wellbeing is central to Downe House Riyadh's Be Well Charter approach. The Charter guides practice across six pillars intended to support both emotional and physical health. Daily routines include regular physical activity and healthy food choices to promote wellbeing. The Sparkle Foundation partnership engages students and families in volunteering, helping build social connections and a sense of purpose. Wellbeing is embedded in the pastoral framework to ensure students are supported holistically.

Downe House Riyadh commits to safeguarding by ensuring every child is protected and has a safe, inclusive environment. Safeguarding principles are universal and apply across Cognita schools, developed by the Cognita Safeguarding Specialist Team and aligned with international child-protection standards. Staff are educated about categories of abuse and their duty to act in the best interests of the child. The framework emphasises knowing the children well, offering timely support for adverse experiences, and empowering students to voice concerns. It requires that every adult who works with the school is safe to work with.