Following Outcomes First Group’s acquisition of five Chatsworth schools, CEO David Leatherbarrow tells EducationInvestor how he views the UK and Saudi Arabian independent school markets.

It was announced last week that Outcomes First had acquired five schools from Chatsworth, including one in Saudi Arabia, and thus established non-selective independent schools group ‘Blenheim Schools’.

On Blenheim’s international school in Saudi Arabia, “Beech Hall School”, Letherbarrow says it is “a truly innovative school that’s leading the charge in exceptional, inclusive, education” pointing particularly to “a growing recognition of the value of individuals with special educational needs”.

He adds: “Having spent significant time in the country, we’ve been impressed by the progress made under Vision 2030, especially in education reform. Education is central to this vision to ensure they can equip the next generation with the skills needed to thrive and drive economic growth.

“There’s an acknowledgment that delivering against these goals requires collaboration with global specialists, like Outcome First Group, to bring in the knowledge and expertise needed. Without such investment they can’t attract professional expats or families due to a lack of capacity to educate them.”

Leatherbarrow says VAT on UK independent schools is “likely to affect the affordability for some families”. However, the market remains strong.

He says: “Independent education remains attractive when the offering is high-quality, in the right location, and with a strong personalised curriculum. As the ISC [Independent Schools Council] noted in its annual census, although the number of students in the independent sector has remained relatively stable, there is increasing demand for schools that offer something distinct – be that in the form of a focus on well-being, flexible learning pathways or a strong academic track record.

“More and more families are looking for educational options that go beyond the traditional model to offer more innovative experiences and greater flexibility in how learning is delivered. That is exactly what Blenheim Schools has to offer and something we expect to continue to flourish.”