Ain Al Khaleej Private School
Executive Summary
Ain Al Khaleej Private School has achieved an overall Good rating in its latest ADEK Irtiqa inspection for the 2023-2024 academic year, marking an improvement from its previous 'Acceptable' performance. The school, which follows the MoE (UAE) curriculum, demonstrates a strong commitment to enhancing educational quality and student outcomes.
Significant improvements have been noted in students' achievement, particularly in Arabic as a first language, and in English, Mathematics, and Science across KG, Cycle 1, and Cycle 2. Teaching quality has also improved to 'Good' due to new staff recruitment and intensive training, fostering positive classroom environments. Students exhibit good personal development, understanding of Islamic values, and awareness of Emirati culture.
The school's leadership and management, now rated 'Good', have been instrumental in driving these improvements, with governors and senior leaders collaborating closely on initiatives. Strong parental partnerships and rigorous health and safety protocols further contribute to a supportive and effective learning environment, aligning with the school's 'students first' vision.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Ain Al Khaleej Private School Overall Rating
Good
ADEK Performance Standards
The six Irtiqa inspection standards used by ADEK to evaluate school performance across Abu Dhabi.
Students' achievement is generally good across the school, with notable improvements in Arabic as a first language, English, Mathematics, and Science in KG, Cycle 1, and Cycle 2. Attainment and progress in Islamic Education and Social Studies are sustained at a good level. However, attainment in English, Mathematics, and Science in Cycle 3 remains acceptable, and international assessment results are below targets. Arabic as a first languageEnglishMathematicsScience
Students' personal development is good, characterized by positive attitudes, self-assurance, and a clear understanding of class routines. They demonstrate a good understanding of Islamic values and Emirati culture. However, social responsibility and innovation skills are rated acceptable across all cycles, indicating areas for further development. Islamic valuesEmirati culturepersonal development
Teaching for effective learning has improved to good across the school, supported by new staff and intensive training, leading to consistent approaches and positive classroom atmospheres. However, assessment practices remain acceptable, with a need to increase the accuracy of internal assessment judgments and differentiate work for higher-attaining students. effective learningconsistent approachassessment practices
Curriculum design and implementation are good across all phases, ensuring a broad and balanced educational experience. However, curriculum adaptation to meet the diverse needs of all student groups, including those with additional learning needs and gifted and talented individuals, is rated as acceptable. curriculum designcurriculum implementationcurriculum adaptation
Health and safety arrangements, including child protection and safeguarding, are good and rigorously implemented across all phases. Care and support for students are acceptable, with increased focus on supporting students of determination and gifted and talented individuals through specialist staff appointments. health and safetychild protectionstudents of determination
The overall effectiveness of leadership and management has improved to good, driven by strong collaboration between governors and senior leaders. Governance is rated very good. The leadership team effectively supports ongoing school improvement, fostering positive staff morale and parental partnerships. effectiveness of leadershipgovernanceschool improvement
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Improved Academic Achievement
Students in KG, Cycle 1, and Cycle 2 show good achievement in English, Mathematics, and Science, with significant improvements since the last inspection. Arabic as a first language also improved to a good level across the school.
Effective Teaching Practices
Teaching is consistently effective across the school, creating very positive classroom atmospheres that motivate students to learn and achieve their best.
Strong Personal Development
Students demonstrate positive attitudes, good personal development, and a well-developed understanding of Islamic values and Emirati culture.
Rigorous Health & Safety
The school maintains rigorous protocols and stringent arrangements for health and safety, prioritizing the well-being of all individuals across all phases.
Engaged Parental Partnerships
Parents are highly engaged partners in their children’s education, working closely with staff to promote effective support for all students.
Strong Leadership & Governance
The leadership team, fully supported by governors, drives ongoing school improvement, fostering positive relationships and high staff morale.
Academic Performance Breakdown
The school offers both American and MoE curricula. While internal assessments suggest high attainment, standardized tests (MAP, IBT) show weak results in English, Mathematics, and Science, though improving. PISA results are well below international standards.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
The leadership, including the principal, vice principal, and senior team, is a powerful driver for ongoing school improvement, fully supported by the governors. They have launched initiatives to raise teaching quality and achievement standards, fostering positive relationships and high staff morale. The leadership also actively promotes the importance of international assessments to parents and teachers.
Inspection Findings
Students' Achievement
Students demonstrate good attainment and progress in Islamic Education, Arabic as a first language, and UAE Social Studies across all cycles. English, Mathematics, and Science show good attainment and progress in KG, Cycle 1, and Cycle 2, with good progress in Cycle 3. However, attainment in these subjects in Cycle 3 remains acceptable, and international assessment results are below targets. Students' knowledge and skills observed in lessons sometimes do not align with internal assessment data.
Personal & Social Development
Students exhibit positive and responsible attitudes, enjoying school and showing interest in learning. They are becoming more self-assured and interact positively with peers and teachers. Understanding of Islamic values and Emirati culture is well developed. However, social responsibility and innovation skills are acceptable, indicating a need for more opportunities to develop creative and entrepreneurial skills.
Teaching & Assessment
Teaching for effective learning is good across the school, supported by new staff and intensive training, leading to consistent approaches and positive classroom environments. Assessment practices, however, are acceptable. There is a need to improve the accuracy of internal assessment judgments and consistently plan well-differentiated work for higher-attaining and gifted and talented students.
Curriculum Design & Adaptation
Curriculum design and implementation are good, providing a broad and balanced education. However, curriculum adaptation to effectively meet the diverse needs of all student groups, including those with additional learning needs and gifted and talented individuals, is acceptable. There is a need to develop enterprise, innovation, and entrepreneurship skills through curriculum adaptation.
Protection, Care & Support
Health and safety, including child protection and safeguarding arrangements, are good and rigorously implemented. Care and support for students are acceptable. The school has increased its focus on supporting students with additional learning needs through specialist staff, but processes for identification and support need reinforcement to ensure no students of determination or gifted and talented individuals remain undetected.
Areas for Development
- •Improve students’ achievement, teaching, and assessment to become at least Very Good by raising attainment in Cycle 3 English, Mathematics, and Science, and ensuring teachers consistently plan well-differentiated work for higher-attaining and gifted and talented students. Additionally, increase the accuracy of internal assessment judgments and engage students in group work to develop innovation, creative, and enterprise skills.
- •Enhance aspects of leadership to reach a Very Good level by fully training middle leaders in accurate internal assessments and ensuring the school development plan is integrated with self-evaluation using precise assessment data. Reinforce processes for identifying and supporting students of determination and gifted and talented individuals, and adapt the curriculum to foster enterprise, innovation, and entrepreneurship skills.