Secondary English Teacher
Downe House Riyadh is seeking a passionate, knowledgeable and committed Teacher of English to join our growing team from August 2026.
This role involves teaching English from Year 6 onwards and contributing to a rich and varied extra-curricular programme.
This role focuses on delivering the English curriculum (not English as an Additional Language), ensuring all pupils make excellent progress and develop a genuine love for language and literature through engaging, challenging, and inspiring lessons.
We welcome applications from reflective, innovative practitioners who are eager to make a meaningful impact within a supportive and ambitious learning environment.
About Cognita:
Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ schools in 16 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 85,000 students. Each of our schools is proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, ‘thrive in a rapidly evolving world’.
At Cognita, we know every student is unique. We nurture their distinct personalities and strengths. We support them academically, socially, and emotionally, wherever they are in the world, wherever they’re starting from. We protect what’s special about them, while offering them rich knowledge, opportunities, and best practices. And they get to be part of something bigger; ensuring they get an education that’s, quite literally, world class.
About Downe House Riyadh:
Opened in September 2022, Downe House Riyadh delivers a world-class British curriculum in partnership with one of the UK’s most celebrated girls-only private schools. With over a century of excellence, Downe House UK consistently ranks among the country’s top five all-girls’ schools.
Located in the prestigious Aqeeq neighbourhood in northern Riyadh, the school offers a British curriculum enriched with Downe House UK’s tradition and expertise. The programme is carefully adapted for Saudi Arabia, ensuring girls achieve excellence in Arabic and Islamic Studies alongside core subjects.
The close partnership between the Riyadh and UK schools is evident in both philosophy and practice. At the heart of the Downe House ethos is the individual: every girl’s strength, challenges, and interests are recognised, with bespoke pathways that foster confidence and success.
Downe House Riyadh offers:
A first-class British education leading to IGCSEs and A Levels
Academic excellence in girls’ education
Exceptional pastoral care and opportunities for personal growth
A wide range of co-curricular activities
The school nurtures intellectual curiosity, creativity, and respect for others through strong pastoral systems, personalised tutoring, and a spotlight on every student.
School Structure:
Pre-Prep: Nursery to Year 2 (ages 2–7)
Prep: Year 3 to Year 8 (ages 7–13)
Senior: Year 9 to Year 13 (ages 13–18)
Boys and girls are admitted from Pre-School to Year 4.
The state-of-the-art campus features dedicated libraries, central atriums, science and design labs, art studios, a 450-seat theatre, music, dance, and drama facilities, IT labs, and both senior and learner swimming pools.
Job Purpose:
To deliver high-quality English teaching from Year 6 upwards, ensuring all pupils achieve their full potential while fostering a safe, supportive and inclusive learning environment.
Key Responsibilities
Curriculum
Teach a broad, balanced and engaging English curriculum.
Contribute to planning, schemes of work, teaching materials and assessments.
Deliver creative, well-structured lessons that meet the needs of all learners.
Differentiate effectively to ensure access and challenge for every pupil.
Demonstrate excellent subject knowledge in language and literature.
Set ambitious learning goals and use diverse strategies and technologies to support progress.
Assess, record and report on pupil progress in line with school procedures.
Provide regular, high-quality written and verbal feedback.
Participate fully in the school’s extra-curricular and enrichment activities.
School Values & Ethos
Actively promote the school’s vision and the Downe House Potential.
Support the school’s commitment to an outstanding, holistic education.
Set consistently high expectations that inspire, motivate and challenge pupils.
Maintain high aspirations for pupils’ academic and personal development.
Provide excellent pastoral care for all pupils.
Management
Follow and implement school policies and procedures.
Maintain a safe, positive and well-managed learning environment.
Make effective use of teaching assistants where applicable.
Build strong home-school relationships and communicate effectively with parents.
Professional Standards
Attend assemblies, meetings, parents’ evenings and school events.
Engage in professional development and training opportunities.
Act as an exemplary professional role model.
Maintain high standards of conduct, punctuality and presentation.
Reflect on practice and demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement.
Build and maintain supportive, professional relationships with colleagues.
Safeguarding
Comply fully with safeguarding policies and procedures.
Report concerns promptly and appropriately.
Demonstrate a strong commitment to pupil wellbeing and safety.
Participate in safeguarding training.
Person Specification
(E = Essential, D = Desired)
Experience & Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree in English or a related field. (E)
UK PGCE (or equivalent). (E)
Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). (E)
Minimum of three years’ successful English teaching experience. (E)
Excellent knowledge of the UK National Curriculum. (E)
Strong academic and professional credibility. (E)
Commitment to safeguarding and pupil wellbeing. (E)
Experience of English curriculum development. (E)
Up-to-date knowledge of best practice in English teaching. (E)
Experience teaching GCSE and A Level. (D)
Experience in a UK independent or international school environment. (D)
Experience teaching students with English as an Additional Language (EAL). (D)
Personal Qualities
Ability to challenge and support learners of all abilities
Passion for inspiring a love of language and literature
Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills
Ability to use ICT effectively to enhance learning
Understanding of international school communities
Energy, enthusiasm and resilience
A positive attitude and sense of humour
Willingness to contribute beyond the classroom
We offer a supportive leadership team, excellent professional development opportunities, and the chance to be part of a vibrant and committed school community.
Why Join Downe House Riyadh?
Be part of a prestigious, globally connected school with a reputation for excellence.
Work within a supportive and professional team that values collaboration and innovation.
Gain experience in a dynamic international school setting while contributing to a meaningful short-term project.
Our Offer:
The successful candidate will benefit from an attractive tax-free salary. In addition, there will be a significant commitment to supporting the development and career goals of the successful candidates.
Interviews will take place online or in person. The school reserves the right to interview and appoint strong candidates before the official closing date, and therefore we encourage candidates to apply early in the process.
Thank you for your interest in Downe House Riyadh. Due to the large number of applications expected, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Downe House Riyadh School and Cognita are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expect the same from their employees. All new staff will be subject to detailed and enhanced pre-employment clearance, including identity checks, criminal background checks for all countries lived in, qualification checks, employment checks to include an exploration of any gaps in employment, and satisfactory reference checks for all employment in the last 10 years.