Anita Gleave, founder of Blenheim International Schools, shares best practice on designing an international school from scratch

At Blenheim Schools, our mission has always been to champion inclusive education, ensuring that every child whose needs we can meet is welcomed, supported, and given the tools to thrive.

This mission of enabling outstanding futures has driven our expansion beyond the UK and in 2022 culminated in the launch of Beech Hall School Riyadh (BHSR) – a testament to our belief that education should be accessible, inclusive, and transformative for all.

BHSR is a pioneering school that brings a fresh, dynamic approach to education in Saudi Arabia.

Blending Blenheim Schools’ best international practices with a deep respect for local culture, the school provides a nurturing environment where pupils develop the skills, confidence, and curiosity to succeed in a rapidly-changing world.

The success of BHSR has been reflected in the school’s remarkable growth, with pupil numbers more than doubling over the past 12 months.

Building an international school from the ground up was a formidable challenge.

It required vision, resilience, and a deep commitment to making the world a better place for all our children.

I would advise anyone considering taking on a similar task to ask themselves, why are you doing this?

It cannot be about money, ego, or proving something to the world.

It must be about impact and shaping the future for children and communities.

Be confident in your vision

Expanding internationally means aligning your mission with the realities of a new cultural and regulatory landscape.

Every country has its own red lines when it comes to education. You need to recognise these differences and be prepared to explain your vision to parents, staff, and stakeholders.

At BHSR our alignment has been recognised by Saudi Arabia’s ministry for education, which has recognised the school as a benchmark for success in support of the region’s goal of building a more-inclusive society, a key pillar of the country’s Vision 2030.

Furthermore, in 2023, BHSR became (and remains) the only fully-inclusive international school approved by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City’s International School Attraction Programme.

This is the highest governmental accolade an international school can obtain in the country.

Research, research, research

Market research is not just about numbers – it’s about understanding the lived experience of families in your target region.

What do they want from a school? What are the existing gaps in education?

Speak to industry peers, local educators, and regulatory bodies.

The more information you gather, the stronger your business case will be.

Investors and governing boards will expect you to have answers to the hard questions, so do your homework.

Build the right partnerships

International expansion is not a solo venture – you need the right partners.

Legal due diligence is critical, but trust your instincts, too.

Strong local relationships will make or break your success.

At BHSR, we entered a joint venture with a local partner, ensuring both cultural alignment and financial viability.

Finance and business model – does it work?

Bright ideas alone won’t build a school – but a sound financial model and unique proposition will.

Size, structure, gender policies, and fee pricing all affect the feasibility of your project.

In our case, launching an inclusive school in Saudi Arabia raised questions about whether the model was the right fit.

The answer lay in the details – understanding the inclusive education market, ensuring our fee structure aligned with expectations, and delivering a school that met both local and international standards was crucial to success.

From blueprint to reality – the design process

Designing a school from scratch is exhilarating – but also expensive.

Land, construction, and property costs in international markets can be staggering.

Every design decision must reflect your school’s ethos and brand, from the colour of the walls to the layout of learning spaces.

And, before committing to a location, ensure that it aligns with your target demographic and operational goals.

The power of name and brand

A school’s name is more than just a label, it’s an identity and there are many things to consider when expanding internationally.

Does the brand translate well across languages? Does it evoke trust and stability?

Your brand must resonate across multiple markets while maintaining a connection to your original ethos.

Communications must be consistent, culturally sensitive, and carefully managed.

Assemble the right team

The right leadership team is critical.

You cannot make major hires before establishing a clear vision and operational structure. Your school’s success depends on leaders who embody your mission, understand the cultural and legal landscape, and can inspire both staff and parents.

Recruitment should align with your brand, after all these are the people who will represent your school when you are not in the room.

Legal and operational readiness

Every market has legal nuances that can catch you off guard.

Partnering with a trusted law firm, one that understands both your home market and your target region, can prevent costly missteps.

Intellectual property (IP), licensing, policies and procedures must be watertight. If things go wrong, ensure that your school’s IP remains protected.

Education first – the right curriculum and co-curriculum

Don’t assume you can copy-paste an existing curriculum.

The educational framework must align with local regulations and student needs.

At BHSR, we didn’t simply implement a UK curriculum – instead, we introduced a hybrid model to accommodate a broad range of learners, offering the American curriculum for accessibility and the International Baccalaureate for gifted pupils, with our UK-based Blenheim Tapestry working as a curriculum overlay.

A well-rounded co-curricular programme is equally essential.

Timelines and execution – the reality check

Opening a school can be a race against time.

At BHSR, we had six months from receiving the keys to opening our doors – an ambitious timeline that required relentless execution.

Be realistic. Don’t overpromise. Your model should allow you to overdeliver rather than underperform.

Governance and continuous improvement

A strong steering committee or board of advisors is crucial, but it must go beyond token appointments.

Your advisory team should be fluent in education, child development and financial management.

Strategic decision-making should be entrusted to those who truly understand the on-the-ground realities.

Launch – make it count

It sounds simple, but a school’s launch is its first impression – make it unforgettable. This is your showcase moment, the time to engage with the community, tell your story, and celebrate the hard work that brought the project to life.

Be present in the community, connect with families, and make every open day memorable.

Celebrate the journey and understand the privilege of shaping young lives and remain humbled by the trust that parents and pupils place in your school every day.

Ultimately, education is about enabling outstanding futures for the whole school community and I am proud of everyone at Blenheim Schools for making this a reality at Beech Hall School Riyadh.