Al Salam Community School
Curriculum
British
KHDA Rating
Good
Location
Dubai, Al Twar 2
Annual Fees
AED 24K - 41K
Al Salam Community School
The Executive Summary
Al Salam Community School Dubai is a rare proposition in the Dubai private school market: a genuinely community-rooted British curriculum school that combines nearly four decades of institutional heritage with a purpose-built modern campus in Al Twar 2. Operating from FS1 to Year 13, the school follows the National Curriculum for England, delivering IGCSE and A-Level qualifications, while grounding early learners in the EYFS framework. Its KHDA rating of Good - held consistently across three successive DSIB inspections - reflects a school that is stable, improving, and punching above its weight at secondary level, where English attainment reaches Very Good and GCSE results hit a landmark 93% at grades A*-C. With school fees Dubai families will find genuinely accessible - ranging from AED 23,795 in FS1 to AED 41,102 in Year 13 - ASCS positions itself as one of the most competitively priced British curriculum options among Al Twar 2 schools, without sacrificing the academic rigour that has defined the Al Salam name since 1986. The school's BSO accreditation and ALPS Diamond status - placing it in the top 1% globally for sixth-form value-added - are not marketing claims; they are independently verified proof points.
BSO AccreditedALPS Diamond Status93% GCSE A*-CSEND Inclusion Award 2026-2028Good KHDA Rating
“My child is excited to go to school every day. I truly appreciate the FS team and all the academic staff who make this school so special - not to mention the fantastic extracurriculars.”
— Foundation Stage ParentAcademic Framework & Learning Style
The academic backbone of Al Salam Community School is the National Curriculum for England (NCfE), which provides an entitlement curriculum through Key Stage 3 - meaning every student, regardless of background or attainment level, studies the same broad subject range. In the early years, the school implements the EYFS framework, with a strong focus on structured play, literacy, numeracy, and the prime areas of Personal, Social and Emotional Development. Arabic is introduced from FS1, and Islamic Education is provided for Muslim children from the earliest years. In Primary, learning moves beyond passive reception: the school emphasises experiential learning, questioning techniques, and constructive teacher feedback that is individual and improvement-focused. Google Chromebooks are integrated from Year 3 upward, and coding features in the curriculum from Key Stage 2. The philosophy is explicit - students should be active authors of their learning, not passive consumers of content. At secondary level, the curriculum broadens considerably. IGCSE options span over 20 subjects across Cambridge and Edexcel boards, including Accounting, Psychology, Sociology, Environmental Management, and Travel and Tourism - a meaningfully wide palette by mid-range school standards. The A-Level programme covers Mathematics, Sciences, Business, English, Arabic, Art and Design, Physical Education, and notably Ancient History. Post-16 students also have access to BTEC Level 3 qualifications, adding a vocational pathway that many comparable schools in this fee band do not offer. Exam performance tells a compelling story at secondary level. The school's 2025 GCSE cohort achieved 93% at grades A*-C from 930 entries - described by the school as its highest-ever result. Year 11 students achieved 100% grades 9-8 in early entry Mathematics, a standout data point. At A Level, 84% of entries achieved A*-C in 2023-24, matching the UK national average. The school has also earned ALPS Diamond status, placing it in the top 1% globally for sixth-form value-added - an independent benchmark that carries significant weight. The DSIB inspection noted that secondary and Post-16 achievement is the school's strongest area, with English attainment rated Very Good and progress rated Very Good in secondary. Science attainment and progress are rated Good across all phases. The honest caveat: primary attainment across core subjects remains Acceptable, and Arabic language outcomes across all phases need further development. The school's own KHDA inspection identified the need to improve primary teaching quality and Arabic language resourcing as priority areas. Parents seeking a school where primary-phase academic performance is already outstanding should look elsewhere; those willing to invest in a trajectory school with a demonstrably strong secondary outcome will find ASCS a credible choice. University destination data is not publicly published in granular form, but the school's website references students progressing to top universities globally, consistent with its A-Level programme breadth.
93%
GCSE grades A*-C (2025)
930 exam entries - school's highest-ever result
84%
A-Level grades A*-C (2023-24)
Matching UK national average
100%
Grades 9-8 in early entry Maths
Year 11 cohort achievement
Top 1%
ALPS Diamond Status globally
Sixth-form value-added benchmark
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
Al Salam Community School's extracurricular programme reflects its community ethos: broad, participatory, and deliberately inclusive across age groups and ability levels. The school competes in DASSA (Dubai Association of Sports and Student Activities) across more than 10 school sports squads, with the DSIB inspection confirming that sporting participation is a genuine priority and that students demonstrate strong teamwork and school pride in competitive contexts. The performing arts dimension is active and visible: the school has staged a Poetry Evening, a Project Nightingale production, and regular music and drama events that draw on its large multipurpose hall. The Model United Nations (MUN) conference is a standout achievement - what began as a student leadership initiative in 2021 grew into a 200-delegate conference, demonstrating the kind of student-driven ambition that defines a school's character beyond the classroom. Community service is embedded rather than bolted on. Students participate in the Red Crescent humanitarian programme, have run charity bake sales raising AED 42,637 in a single event, and engage in environmental campaigns including a Primary Sustainability Garden. The Young Entrepreneurs Programme develops business and innovation skills, while the 'Big Brother / Big Sister' initiative pairs older students with younger ones for academic support - a student-led mentoring structure that the DSIB inspection praised. The school's 'Rahhal' programme sees secondary students supporting younger peers in UAE social studies and moral education. Coding clubs run from Key Stage 2, and the school's digital learning framework encourages students to build multimedia presentations and audio-visual content as part of their broader education. The DSIB inspection recommended expanding entrepreneurial opportunities further across the curriculum, suggesting the current programme, while strong, has room to grow in scope and cross-curricular integration.
200+
MUN Conference Delegates
Student-led initiative launched 2021
AED 42,637
Raised at single charity bake sale
School's highest-ever fundraising total
200-Delegate MUN Conference10+ DASSA Sports SquadsAED 42,637 Charity Bake SaleYoung Entrepreneurs ProgrammeRed Crescent Partnership
Pastoral Care & Well-being
Pastoral care at Al Salam Community School is one of the school's most consistently praised dimensions - and the inspection data backs this up. The DSIB rated Health and Safety, Child Protection and Safeguarding as Very Good across all phases, and the quality of student care and support as Very Good across Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary, and Post-16. These are not marginal ratings; they represent a genuine institutional strength. The school operates three guidance counsellors for a student body of nearly 2,000 - a ratio that warrants attention, though the DSIB noted that these counsellors are skilful in supporting students with social and emotional issues. The school's Caring Hearts Framework underpins its anti-bullying and behaviour policies, and the DSIB confirmed that bullying across the school is rare. Student attendance and punctuality are actively monitored and generally positive across all phases. The school has earned the Wellbeing Award for Schools (2026-2028), an externally accredited recognition that wellbeing is embedded in institutional culture rather than treated as a compliance exercise. The school's wellbeing approach draws on the PERMA model, integrating positive emotion, engagement, relationships, meaning, and achievement into its pastoral framework. Student voice is actively incorporated: parent and student surveys directly inform improvement planning. The DSIB noted that students are respectful and courteous across all phases, with particularly positive classroom climates in the Foundation Stage. Personal and social development is rated Very Good in Foundation Stage, Secondary, and Post-16, and Good in Primary. Understanding of Islamic values and Emirati and world cultures is rated Outstanding across all phases - a distinction held across three consecutive inspections that speaks to the school's genuine cultural depth. The DSIB recommended further strengthening parent engagement in wellbeing and more systematic integration of wellbeing into curriculum planning - areas the school is actively addressing.
“The school truly feels like a second home. The care the staff show for every child - not just academically but personally - is what keeps us here.”
— Year 4 Parent(representative)Campus & Facilities
The Al Salam Community School campus in Al Twar 2, Dubai is a purpose-built facility opened in 2019, designed from the ground up to support a modern British curriculum school operating at scale. The building is purpose-designed for accessibility, with premises built to accommodate students of determination throughout. The campus houses over 70 large, well-resourced classrooms, with Foundation Stage and Year 1 classrooms each benefiting from direct outdoor play area access - a thoughtful design feature that supports the EYFS philosophy of learning through exploration. Outdoor breakout spaces are provided separately for Primary and Secondary cohorts. Science provision is notably strong: the campus includes 7 science laboratories, supplemented by specialist labs for technology, art, media, and design. The performing arts and sports centrepiece is a 1,000 square metre multipurpose hall - large enough to host school productions, assemblies, and indoor sports simultaneously. The 6-lane, 25-metre swimming pool is covered to ensure privacy for female students, a practical and culturally sensitive design choice. Outdoor sports facilities include large outdoor and indoor playing fields catering to a diversity of sports, and external play spaces exceed 4,000 square metres, divided into separate zones for FS, Primary, and Secondary students. A dedicated UAE Heritage Centre with extended outdoor areas provides an innovative learning space for cultural exploration and reconnection with Emirati roots - a feature that distinguishes ASCS from many British curriculum schools in Dubai. Technology infrastructure is built around the Google ecosystem, with Chromebooks required from Year 3, and the school's digital learning platform supporting blended and independent learning. The campus location in Al Twar 2 places it within a well-established residential community in central-east Dubai, convenient for families in Mirdif, Al Nahda, Al Qusais, and Deira. The DSIB inspection rated management of facilities and resources as Very Good - the highest rating in the leadership category.
70+
Large classrooms on campus
Including FS rooms with direct outdoor access
4,000+ sqm
External play spaces
Separate zones for FS, Primary and Secondary
70+ Classrooms7 Science Labs25m Swimming Pool4,000 sqm Outdoor PlayUAE Heritage Centre1,000 sqm Multipurpose Hall
Teaching & Learning Quality
The overall quality of teaching at Al Salam Community School is rated Good by the DSIB, with a clear and acknowledged differential between phases. Teaching in Secondary and Post-16 is rated Good and is described as more engaging, with active learning experiences featuring in a majority of lessons. Foundation Stage teaching is also rated Good. The concern sits in Primary, where teaching is rated Acceptable - a finding that the DSIB flagged as a key recommendation requiring direct leadership attention. The largest nationality group of teachers is UK and Ireland, consistent with the school's British curriculum identity and its stated commitment to employing teachers of the highest calibre. The teacher-to-student ratio stands at approximately 1:15 based on 130 teachers serving 1,946 students - a relatively favourable ratio for a school in this fee band. There are also 40 teaching assistants supporting classroom delivery, which is a meaningful resource for a school with 134 students of determination. The DSIB inspection highlighted a significant staffing challenge: in the 2023-24 inspection year, almost half of staff were new, alongside many new subject leaders. The inspection report was direct in noting that these staffing changes had affected student experiences in both Primary and Secondary. Teacher turnover at approximately 20% is above the level that supports consistent student progress and is an area where the school's leadership needs to demonstrate sustained improvement. On pedagogy, the school's approach is inquiry-based and blended, with technology integrated through the Google ecosystem. Critical thinking, research skills, and problem-solving are visible in secondary lessons. The DSIB noted that the quality of teacher questioning is positive and planned in secondary, though less strong in lower primary. Assessment practices are rated Good across all phases, with the school using GL assessments, NGRT reading data, and PIRLS benchmarks to differentiate provision. Professional development is referenced in the school's values framework, and the school actively promotes itself as a place where staff can grow - though the turnover data suggests retention remains a work in progress.
1:15
Teacher-to-student ratio
130 teachers, 1,946 students
~20%
Teacher turnover rate
Above ideal; flagged in DSIB inspection
40
Teaching assistants on staff
Supporting 134 students of determination
Leadership & Management
Al Salam Community School is led by Principal Kifaya Khan, who joined the school in July 2021. Mr. Khan is a qualified British headteacher with over 20 years of experience in education, having previously served as Principal at Rashid School for Boys in Dubai. He holds a degree in Computer Engineering and a second degree in Arabic and Islamic Studies from Riyadh, and is an accredited inspector for British Schools Overseas - a qualification that gives him a distinctive lens on school quality and compliance. His four children attend ASCS, which speaks to his personal commitment to the school's community. The school is owned and operated by Al Salam Education, with its roots in the founding family led by Sue Johnston, who established Salam Nursery in 1986 and grew the Al Salam brand over nearly four decades. Mrs. Johnston serves as ASCS Governor and her family remains actively involved in the school's strategic direction. This family-led ownership model gives ASCS a distinctive character - decisions are made with long-term community investment in mind rather than short-term commercial returns. The school's five-year strategy, launched in 2024, centres on nurturing an inclusive learning community, leading excellence with Islamic values. The DSIB rated the overall effectiveness of leadership as Good, with self-evaluation and improvement planning, parent and community engagement, and governance all rated Good. Management of staffing, facilities, and resources was rated Very Good - the standout result in this category. The DSIB noted that leaders have improved their knowledge of the school's strengths and areas for development since the previous inspection, and that secondary outcomes have improved. The inspection did flag that the high proportion of new staff in 2023-24 had affected consistency, and that some subject leadership positions were also new - a challenge the school must navigate carefully to maintain upward momentum. Parent communication operates through the school's digital platforms, and the admissions office is accessible Monday to Thursday and Friday mornings. The school's governance structure includes a board and the founding family's ongoing oversight.
KHDA Inspection Results (Decoded)
Al Salam Community School has been inspected by the DSIB three times since opening in 2019, achieving a Good rating on each occasion - in 2021-22, 2022-23, and most recently in 2023-24. This consistency is meaningful: it demonstrates a school that has maintained its quality through a period of rapid growth, from 800 students at opening to nearly 2,000 by the third inspection. The 2023-24 inspection, conducted 5-9 February 2024, confirmed the overall Good rating and identified a school with clear strengths in personal development, safeguarding, and secondary academic outcomes, alongside acknowledged areas for improvement in primary teaching quality and Arabic language provision. The most striking finding is the Outstanding rating for students' understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures - awarded across all four phases (Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary, and Post-16). This is the highest possible DSIB rating and has been sustained across multiple inspection cycles, reflecting a genuine institutional commitment to cultural education rather than a compliance exercise. Student personal and social development is rated Very Good in Foundation Stage, Secondary, and Post-16. The school's wellbeing provision is rated Good overall, with inspectors noting a respectful and courteous student body and positive classroom climates. The DSIB's key recommendations for improvement are clear: raise the quality of teaching in Primary so that most lessons are Good rather than Acceptable; improve student progress across all key subjects; and improve the quality and quantity of resources for Arabic language teaching. The staffing instability noted in the 2023-24 report - with nearly half of staff being new - is the most significant operational concern raised. The school's inclusion provision earned a Good rating, with inspectors praising the inclusive ethos and the care provided to students of determination, while noting variability in teacher skill when supporting these students in lessons.
Outstanding Cultural Education
Students' understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures is rated Outstanding across all four phases - Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary, and Post-16. This has been sustained across multiple inspection cycles.
Very Good Safeguarding and Care
Health and safety, child protection, safeguarding, and quality of student support are all rated Very Good across every phase. The school protects and cares for students to a high standard.
Strong Secondary Academic Outcomes
English attainment and progress in Secondary are rated Very Good. Mathematics and Science attainment and progress in Secondary and Post-16 are rated Good. The school's strongest academic performance is clearly at the upper end.
Primary Teaching Quality
Teaching in Primary is rated Acceptable - below the Good standard achieved in other phases. The DSIB explicitly recommends improving the quality of teaching in Primary so that most lessons are Good. This is the school's most pressing academic improvement area.
Arabic Language Provision and Staffing Stability
Arabic language outcomes across all phases are Acceptable at best, and the DSIB flagged insufficient resources for Arabic teaching. Separately, the high proportion of new staff in 2023-24 affected student experience in both Primary and Secondary - a staffing stability issue that leadership must address.
Rating History
2021-2022
Good
2022-2023
Good
2023-2024
Good
Fees & Value for Money
Al Salam Community School occupies a clearly defined position in the Dubai fee landscape: it is a mid-range British curriculum school offering genuine value relative to its academic outcomes, particularly at secondary and sixth-form level. Annual fees range from AED 23,795 in FS1 to AED 41,102 in Years 12 and 13 - positioning ASCS well below premium British curriculum schools in Dubai, many of which charge AED 70,000 to AED 110,000 for comparable year groups. For a school with a KHDA Good rating, BSO accreditation, ALPS Diamond sixth-form status, and a 93% GCSE pass rate, the fee-to-outcome ratio is difficult to fault at the secondary level. The payment structure is split across three terms: the first term payment is due by 1 August, the second by 1 December, and the third by 1 March - broadly a 40/30/30 split. Fees can be paid via the Zenda app, which offers a Shariah-compliant 'Pay Later' installment option, credit and debit card, or direct bank transfer to ADCB. A non-refundable assessment fee of AED 525 is payable before the child's assessment session. Once a place is offered, a non-refundable registration fee of AED 2,000 secures the seat - this amount is subsequently deducted from the first tuition fee payment. Families with multiple children benefit from a structured sibling discount: 5% for the second child, 5% for the third, 10% for the fourth, and 15% for the fifth child. This is a meaningful saving for larger families and reflects the school's community-oriented ethos. Additional costs to budget for include Chromebook purchase for students in Years 3-13 (available through the school), international benchmark assessment fees as announced annually, and any transport costs which are arranged independently. Uniforms and books are additional costs not included in tuition. Compared to peer schools in Al Twar 2 and the broader Deira-Al Nahda corridor, ASCS fees are competitive. For families seeking a full British curriculum from FS to A-Level at a price point that does not require a premium expat salary, ASCS represents one of the most credible options in Dubai education.
AED 23,795 - 41,102
Annual fees (FS1 to Year 13)
AED 2,000
Non-refundable registration fee
| Phase | Year Groups | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Stage | FS1 | 23,795 |
| Foundation Stage | FS2 | 23,795 |
| Primary | Year 1 | 27,041 |
| Primary | Year 2 | 27,041 |
| Primary | Year 3 | 29,204 |
| Primary | Year 4 | 29,204 |
| Primary | Year 5 | 31,367 |
| Primary | Year 6 | 31,367 |
| Secondary | Year 7 | 35,152 |
| Secondary | Year 8 | 35,152 |
| Secondary | Year 9 | 36,775 |
| Secondary | Year 10 | 38,938 |
| Secondary | Year 11 | 38,938 |
| Sixth Form | Year 12 | 41,102 |
| Sixth Form | Year 13 | 41,102 |
Additional Costs
Assessment Fee525(one-time)
Registration Fee2,000(one-time)
Chromebook (Years 3-13)Variable(one-time)
International Benchmark AssessmentsVariable(annual)
TransportVariable(annual)
UniformsVariable(one-time)
Books and Learning ResourcesVariable(annual)
Scholarships & Bursaries
No formal scholarship or bursary programme is publicly advertised on the school's website. Families in financial difficulty are encouraged to contact the school directly in advance of payment deadlines. The sibling discount structure provides meaningful relief for larger families.
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
Al Salam Community School is a school with a clear and honest identity. It is not competing with Dubai's premium British schools on prestige or facilities grandeur. What it offers instead is a community-rooted, values-driven British education with a demonstrably strong secondary and sixth-form track record, delivered at a fee point that is genuinely accessible to a wide range of Dubai families. The school's three consecutive Good DSIB ratings, its ALPS Diamond sixth-form status, its 93% GCSE pass rate, and its Outstanding cultural education rating are not aspirational claims - they are independently verified outcomes. The school's weaknesses are equally clear: primary teaching quality needs improvement, Arabic language provision is under-resourced, and teacher turnover at around 20% creates a consistency challenge that leadership must address. For families who are primarily focused on secondary and sixth-form outcomes, and who value cultural diversity, community ethos, and Islamic values alongside British academic rigour, ASCS is a genuinely compelling choice. For families whose child is entering Primary and for whom consistent, high-quality teaching in those foundational years is the primary criterion, a degree of caution is warranted until the school demonstrates sustained improvement in that phase.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Families seeking a full British curriculum from FS to A-Level in a culturally diverse, values-driven community school, particularly those prioritising strong secondary and sixth-form outcomes at a mid-range fee point of AED 23,795 to AED 41,102.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families whose primary concern is primary-phase academic excellence, or those seeking a school with low teacher turnover and a highly stable staffing environment - the DSIB's findings on both counts suggest ASCS has work to do before it can confidently claim these as strengths.
“
Al Salam has helped propel thousands of students into some of the top universities and companies around the world. The community here is unlike anything else in Dubai - it genuinely feels like family.
— Year 11 Parent
Pros
- Three consecutive DSIB Good ratings since opening in 2019
- ALPS Diamond status - top 1% globally for sixth-form value-added
- 93% GCSE grades A*-C in 2025 - school's highest-ever result
- Outstanding DSIB rating for Islamic values and cultural education across all phases
- SEND Inclusion Award 2026-2028 and strong inclusion provision
- Wellbeing Award for Schools 2026-2028 - externally accredited pastoral care
- Genuinely accessible fees: AED 23,795 to AED 41,102 for full FS to A-Level
- Purpose-built campus with 7 science labs, 25m pool, and 4,000+ sqm outdoor space
Cons
- Primary teaching quality rated Acceptable - the school's most significant academic weakness
- Teacher turnover of approximately 20% creates staffing instability flagged in DSIB inspection
- Arabic language provision under-resourced across all phases
- No publicly advertised scholarship or bursary programme for families in financial need
- University destination data not published in granular form for independent verification