Al Muna Primary School - Abu Dhabi

Muna British Academy delivers the English National Curriculum from EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) through to Key Stage 3 (currently Year 7, expanding annually). The curriculum is structured across clearly defined phases: EYFS for ages 3-5, Key Stage 1 (Years 1-2), Key Stage 2 (Years 3-6), and Key Stage 3 (Years 7-9 as they open). In the UAE context, the curriculum is enriched with Arabic Language, Islamic Studies, and UAE Social Studies to meet Ministry of Education requirements, taught by specialist staff alongside the core British framework. The school's pedagogical philosophy is rooted in inquiry-based and project-based learning - a deliberate choice that challenges students to apply knowledge to real-world scenarios rather than passively receive it. The 2025 ADEK Irtiqa report confirms that this approach is working: lessons are described as consistently well planned, engaging, and purposeful, with teachers demonstrating strong subject knowledge and using questioning effectively. Critically, the inspectors note that assessment is Outstanding across both phases, with robust systems providing accurate evidence of attainment and progress. The introduction of instructional coaching and joint lesson observations has further strengthened feedback quality and consistency. Attainment data from the school's own published figures and the 2025 Irtiqa report is genuinely impressive. In Reading and Writing, 90% and 89% of children respectively achieve levels in line with curriculum standards, while in Maths and Science, 92% and 95% achieve at or above standard. The above-standard figures are equally strong: 76-81% of children across core subjects achieve levels above curriculum standards. Progress data is equally compelling - 91-92% of students make better than expected progress across all four core subjects from Term 1 to Term 3. In standardised assessments, Phase 2 students achieved Outstanding in the GL Progress Tests for English, Maths, and Science in AY2024/25. International benchmarking results provide the most objective external validation of academic quality. In TIMSS 2023, Year 5 Maths students scored 615 - exceeding the school's own target of 582 and well above the international average of 503, placing them in the Advanced International Benchmark. Year 5 Science students scored 603, again above target and significantly above the international average of 494. In PIRLS 2021, Year 5 students achieved a score of 611, placing them in the high international benchmark range. These are not numbers that can be manufactured - they represent genuine academic achievement. For Arabic-medium subjects, the picture is more nuanced. Attainment and progress in Islamic Education, Arabic as a First Language, Arabic as a Second Language, and UAE Social Studies are rated Good across both phases - solid, but clearly a tier below the Outstanding results in English-medium subjects. The ADEK inspectors specifically flag Arabic reading fluency, extended writing skills, and vocabulary development as areas requiring targeted improvement. This gap is a known priority for school leadership and features prominently in the 2025 Irtiqa recommendations. The school currently does not have GCSE, IGCSE, or A-Level results to report - these will emerge from 2028 onwards as the secondary section matures. The school has indicated plans to offer I/GCSE in Years 10-11 and A-Levels (with possible BTEC Level 3) in Sixth Form. Parents considering Muna for secondary should factor this into their timeline. The school's reading programme is comprehensive: Song of Sounds phonics up to Year 3, transitioning to Accelerated Reader from Year 3 onwards, supported by the Big Cat scheme, Reading Eggs, and Star Reader assessments. The library is central to school life, open before and after school, with Student Librarian roles providing student leadership opportunities within the literacy programme.