This joint report by the Saudi British Joint Business Council and Shrewsbury School examines opportunities for UK independent schools in Saudi Arabia’s expanding education market and the efforts that Shrewsbury School is making in this area. 

Maghin Tamilarasan, International Development Director at Shrewsbury School, discusses the school’s international expansion journey, which began in 2003 with Shrewsbury International School Bangkok. He outlines how Shrewsbury’s overseas schools in Thailand, Hong Kong, Cambodia, and India have achieved academic excellence while supporting the UK school’s bursarial programs. Tamilarasan explains the mutual benefits of international expansion: providing world-class education locally while creating meaningful international links for pupils and staff. He emphasizes Shrewsbury’s collaborative approach with local partners and highlights Saudi Arabia as a key target for future growth.

Robert McNamara, Research Officer at the Saudi British Joint Business Council, provides a comprehensive market analysis of Saudi Arabia’s education sector within the Vision 2030 context. He details the market opportunity (6 million students, only 15% private school enrollment versus 73% in the UAE), regulatory developments including the RCRC’s “Super License” program, and the rapid growth of UK schools from zero in 2021 to multiple establishments by 2024. McNamara examines operational models, challenges including teacher recruitment, and strategic considerations for UK schools entering the Saudi market, concluding that the convergence of government support and market demand creates exceptional opportunities for institutions like Shrewsbury.

Access the full article [here].