Conakry Refugee School (CRS) grew out of the movement to educate english speaking refugees that had fled from wars in Liberia and Sierra leone in the 1990s. Initially set up in the 1990s by refugees from the wars in Sierra Leone and Liberia CRS has educated vulnerable and marginalised children for 30 years. In 2023 CRS changed their name to Conakry Reliance School to reflect the fact that their students are now born in Guinea and their community has settled in Conakry. A school of 500 students, it provides primary and secondary school education. 

CRS has an excellent record in external exam performance with 100% pass rates at the end of primary and at 16 and impressive results in final exams. As an English-speaking school with an impressive educational record, it increasingly attracts Guinean students. Although the majority of pupils come from very disadvantaged backgrounds and are often living with single parents or extended family members there is a trend towards more financially able students enrolling to access an excellent education in English, especially since the provision of a science and computer labs. 

Over 50% of students at CRS are female. Levels of literacy and school completion for girls are well below 30% in Guinea. CRS’s promotion of access to education for girls through scholarships, gender affirmative teaching and facilities, and its stance on FGM and early marriage make it unique. CRS’s ability to keep girls in education and educate them to the highest level is exceptional. Pastoral care is underpinned by the presence of a full time nurse. Madam Kort runs the Health Club providing a safe space for students to discuss issues domestic vilence, drug abuse and sexual health.