Countries

Finnish Education in Jeddah

Jeddah is one of the clearer examples of Finnish pedagogy operating in Saudi Arabia, through HEI Schools, a Finnish early years provider that expanded into primary and intermediate grades after opening as a preschool.

In brief

HEI Schools, a Finnish early childhood education provider, launched in Jeddah in 2021 as a preschool and kindergarten.
The programme expanded to primary and intermediate grades roughly a year after opening.
The model is based on Finland's early childhood education and care approach: play-based learning, holistic development and Nordic-inspired learning spaces.
Expansion in Saudi Arabia has been linked publicly to the country's Vision 2030 education goals.
Families evaluating any Finnish-branded school should ask specifically how teachers are trained and how closely classroom practice is reviewed.

How Finnish pedagogy arrived in Jeddah

HEI Schools, a Finnish early childhood education provider linked to the University of Helsinki, opened in Jeddah in 2021 in partnership with a local operator, starting with preschool and kindergarten. Primary and intermediate provision followed around a year later, extending the model beyond the early years into K-5 and beyond.

What the Finnish model looks like day to day

The approach centres on play-based early learning, holistic child development and phenomenon-based, multidisciplinary projects rather than early formal instruction, delivered in Nordic-style learning spaces. It is a similar profile to Finnish provision elsewhere in the Gulf, adapted for a Saudi context and aligned publicly with national education goals under Vision 2030.

What to check before choosing a Finnish-branded school

As with any market where 'Finnish' has become a recognisable label, the details matter more than the name. Worth confirming directly with a school: how teachers are trained, whether that training is Finland-linked and ongoing, and how classroom practice is reviewed over time rather than set once at launch. See how to tell if a school is genuinely teaching Finnish curriculum for a fuller checklist.

Frequently asked questions

Which Finnish provider operates in Jeddah?

HEI Schools, a Finnish early childhood education company connected to the University of Helsinki, operates in Jeddah through a local partnership.

Does the Jeddah programme cover primary grades, or only early years?

It started as a preschool and kindergarten in 2021 and expanded to primary and intermediate grades roughly a year later.

How does this compare with Finnish provision elsewhere in Saudi Arabia?

The same Finnish early years provider has also expanded into Riyadh and the Eastern Province, generally following a similar preschool-first, then primary, expansion pattern.

Bring Finnish pedagogy to your school

OPPI affiliates a selective cohort of schools each year for its K-5 Finnish-pedagogy programme, backed by Education Finland. Tell us about your school and our team will reach out.

Backed by Education Finland. Over 20 schools have already affiliated, including DPS, Radcliffe and Sanctus. Places in each cohort are limited.

Apply to the affiliation cohort →