Educating for Inclusion: UK Independent Schools and Special Educational Needs in Saudi Arabia

Overview

The Saudi British Joint Business Council, in partnership with the Royal Embassy of Saudi Arabia, is hosting a roundtable for UK independent school leaders and SEND specialist institutions exploring the Saudi education market.

Saudi Arabia’s private K-12 education market is valued at USD 13.26 billion in 2025 and projected to reach USD 23.63 billion by 2030. The Kingdom needs over 70,000 new school seats and is targeting 1,200 new private schools by 2030. British curriculum programmes hold the largest share of private schools at 33.38%, and PIF-backed developers are building purpose-built campuses for UK schools across the country.

SEND has been identified as a national priority. Approximately 1.35 million individuals in Saudi Arabia experience disabilities, and the Ministry of Education is targeting 200,000 students with disabilities receiving educational services. The Kingdom is moving from segregated special education toward inclusive mainstream provision, creating direct demand for UK expertise.

The roundtable covers market entry requirements, regulatory frameworks, SEND-specific demand, partnership structures, and lessons from UK schools already operating in Saudi Arabia. Attendees will hear from the SBJBC’s Head of Research, Pinsent Masons, Saudi Embassy officials, and UK school operators with on-the-ground experience.

The programme includes briefings on government incentives, Saudisation exemptions for international curriculum schools, financing options through the National Infrastructure Fund, and the implications of the UK-GCC Free Trade Agreement for education providers.