Edarabia had the opportunity to interview Jacqueline Doran, Principal at King’s College Riyadh, to explore the school’s educational philosophy, future plans, and commitment to holistic student development. Ms. Doran shared valuable insights into how King’s College Riyadh blends British academic excellence with a nurturing environment to cultivate well-rounded, future-ready learners.
My first priority is to ensure that our vision at King’s College Riyadh is not only aligned with the values of our parent school, King’s College Taunton, but also with the aspirations of families here in Saudi Arabia. We are uniquely positioned—anchored in the British independent school tradition, yet purpose-built for the future of education in the Kingdom. In these early months, I am focusing on three key areas: building a strong, values-driven culture; empowering outstanding teaching; and embedding systems that ensure academic excellence, pastoral care, and co-curricular opportunities flourish in harmony. Our shared ethos with King’s College Taunton—one of kindness, courage, curiosity, and integrity is emulated in the values we hold ourselves to in academic focus, curiosity, care, respect and endeavour.
Well-being is a cornerstone of our philosophy. At King’s, we believe that students thrive academically when they feel emotionally safe, supported, and connected. Our pastoral model is inspired by King’s College Taunton’s long-standing approach—structured around form tutors, pastoral leads, and a house system that gives every child a sense of belonging as part of our Well Being Charter. We’re embedding emotional literacy through curriculum modules, mindfulness activities, and dedicated time for student voice. Our staff are trained to recognise early signs of emotional distress, and as the school grows to incorporate Year 7 and beyond, we are adjusting and adapting our approach to support all stages of childhood and adolescent development. Well-being isn’t a bolt-on to what is taught at King’s, it is embedded in our environment; how we look and feel, our language, our visibility and systems. The community at King’s feels like a family.
The most valuable practice I’ve brought from the UK is the emphasis on the whole child. British education, particularly in the independent school sector, isn’t just about academic success—it’s about producing confident, compassionate, articulate and resilient young people who are future-ready. At King’s College Riyadh, we’ve adopted this ethos while thoughtfully adapting it to respect and celebrate Saudi culture, identity, and values. This is done through our pedagogy, co-curricular activities and project-based learning. When working within the British curriculum internationally, it is vital there is the right balance between exposure to our wider world and understanding and valuing the culture we are immersed in. From my experience in the UAE, I’ve learned how to lead in multicultural environments and foster global citizenship—skills that are vital as Saudi Arabia moves into a new era of international collaboration. King’s College Riyadh is, therefore, both distinctly British and proudly Saudi in its outlook—providing students with the best of both worlds.
We are introducing a “King’s Enrichment Pathway,” modelled on the co-curricular excellence of King’s College Taunton. This includes expanding our music, sport, drama, and STEAM offerings, while also promoting leadership and service through community-based projects. For the first time, King’s College Riyadh will represent on the international school’s sports platform by competing at the BSME games. For well-being, we’re launching weekly “Thrive” sessions—a blend of mindfulness, team-building, and personal development activities. We will also be hosting outdoor education days and residential trips that promote resilience and teamwork. These experiences aren’t optional extras—they are vital to nurturing the character, confidence, and curiosity we expect from all King’s learners.
Our academic model is rooted in the rigour of the British curriculum but designed to be dynamic and responsive to the learner. At King’s College Riyadh, we blend high expectations with high engagement. Through project-based learning, inquiry models, and real-world application, students are not just absorbing knowledge—they’re applying it creatively and critically. Student voice is fundamental: we involve learners in shaping clubs, house activities, and even aspects of curriculum planning. Just as at King’s College Taunton, we want every student to feel ownership of their learning journey.
We believe that prevention is the most powerful form of protection. Every member of our community—teachers, students, and parents—plays a role in upholding a culture of kindness, respect and care for others. Our anti-bullying policy is clear, but more importantly, our culture promotes empathy and inclusion from day one. We will be training student peer mentors and running well-being check-ins regularly, alongside digital safeguarding initiatives. Stress is also addressed proactively through a balanced school schedule, mental health awareness campaigns, and our commitment to nurturing self-esteem through effort, not just outcomes. We are committed to our Well Being Charter, which is visible throughout the school for all.
From the earliest years, we embed skills such as collaboration, digital literacy, public speaking, and entrepreneurship into our teaching. As our students are moving into Key Stage 3, we have introduced structured careers education and partnerships with businesses, universities, and the wider King’s College network. Like our sister school in Taunton, we focus on “education for life”—not just to pass exams, but to lead with purpose, think independently, and act with integrity. Our graduates will be global citizens—fluent in both ideas and empathy. Our student leadership structure further builds on this with leadership opportunities and bespoke programs to enhance individual skills in areas of interest that will lead to career paths.
Partnership with parents is essential. We’re not just educating children; we’re building a community. Parents at King’s College Riyadh are seen as collaborators—we host regular forums, open classrooms, and workshops to ensure alignment between home and school. We also welcome guest speakers from the local and international community, enriching the student experience and grounding learning in real-world relevance. Our aim is to create a school that’s not just in Riyadh, but of Riyadh—connected to the hopes and ambitions of its families.
Teachers flourish in environments where they feel valued, trusted, and inspired. At King’s College Riyadh, we are building a culture of professional excellence, collaborative learning, and purpose-driven leadership. Through our links with King’s College Taunton, staff have access to cross-school CPD, international collaboration, and leadership training. We want our teachers to feel part of a pioneering school that’s both traditional and forward-looking, a place where their careers can truly thrive.
Absolutely. One of my key goals is to develop a pipeline of leaders from within. We offer mentoring, bespoke coaching, and access to formal leadership qualifications. Whether it’s heading a department, leading pastoral care, or pioneering innovation projects, we ensure our staff have meaningful opportunities to lead. Our partnership with King’s College Taunton provides further avenues for secondments, shared research, and professional dialogue with peers in the UK.
It’s hard to name just one, but I believe that debating and Model United Nations and playing sports as part of a team have transformative power. They build confidence, critical thinking, global awareness, communication and leadership—all essential skills for the future. That said, every student finds their strength in different arenas—be it sport, drama, coding, or community service. The key is variety, choice, and excellence across the board, just as King’s College Taunton has demonstrated for generations.
Success is when every student walks out of our gates with a strong sense of who they are, where they belong, and how they can contribute meaningfully to the world with a confidence that does not overpower but carries them far. Academic results matter, of course—but it’s the depth of character, the sense of purpose, and the joy in learning that define a truly successful education.
“Education is not just preparation for life—it is the power to shape it, with integrity, curiosity, and heart.”
Twitter
Add a Comment
Please do not post:
Thank you once again for doing your part to keep Edarabia the most trusted education source.