Ajyal International School - Mbz

Curriculum
British
ADEK
Very Good
Location
Abu Dhabi, Mohamed Bin Zayed City
Fees
AED 24K - 43K

Executive Summary

Ajyal International School - MBZ, a British curriculum school, has achieved an overall ADEK rating of Very Good in its latest inspection for the 2024-2025 academic year. This marks a significant improvement from its previous 'Good' rating in 2022, demonstrating the school's strong commitment to enhancing performance and student outcomes.

The school has shown notable improvements in students' achievement across both Arabic and English-medium subjects, with particular strengths in external examinations for Years 11-13 in Arabic, Islamic education, mathematics, and chemistry. The curriculum is well-structured, aligning with national and international standards from EYFS to A-level, and emphasizes discovery learning and cross-curricular connections.

Ajyal International School actively participates in international assessments like PISA, TIMSS, and PIRLS, with students consistently exceeding PISA targets in scientific, mathematical, and reading literacy. The school's systematic self-evaluation, comprehensive healthcare, and effective parental partnerships are key strengths contributing to its positive learning environment.

Overall School Performance

Inspection Year 2024-2025

Outstanding

Very Good

Good

Acceptable

Weak

Very Weak

Ajyal International School - Mbz Overall Rating

Very Good

ADEK Performance Standards

The six Irtiqa inspection standards used by ADEK to evaluate school performance across Abu Dhabi.

Students' Achievement
Very Good

Students' achievement has significantly improved, particularly in Arabic-medium subjects across various phases, and in English, mathematics, and science in Middle (Cycle 2). While some areas like mathematics and science in KG (Phase 1) showed regression, overall progress is strong, especially in international assessments where PISA targets were exceeded. PISA targetsArabic-medium subjectsEnglish-medium subjects

Students' Personal & Social Development
Good

Students generally display positive attitudes, empathy, and social responsibility through school projects. Personal development is good in older phases, though attendance in KG (Phase 1) is inconsistent. Understanding of Islamic values, UAE heritage, and cultural diversity requires deeper development across all phases. positive attitudessocial responsibilityIslamic values

Teaching & Assessment
Good

Teaching quality has improved in older phases (Middle and Secondary) to Very Good, while remaining Good in Primary (Cycle 1), though KG (Phase 1) regressed to Acceptable. Assessment practices are consistently Good across all phases, with strong subject knowledge and a comprehensive system, but consistency in feedback and challenging high-attainers needs improvement. teaching qualityassessment practicessubject knowledge

Curriculum
Good

The curriculum is well-structured, aligning with EYFS to A-level standards, and promotes discovery learning and cross-curricular links. It adapts for EAL students and fosters creativity through STEM and arts, though opportunities for enterprise, innovation, and community engagement are limited. EYFS to A-leveldiscovery learningcross-curricular links

Protection, Care, Guidance & Support
Very Good

Health and safety measures are proactive and comprehensive, with well-maintained and inclusive facilities. The school provides strong care and support, including for students of determination, ensuring a safe and healthy learning environment across all phases. health and safetycare and supportstudents of determination

Leadership & Management
Very Good

Leadership effectiveness, parental involvement, and self-evaluation are Very Good, with a strategic approach to improvement. Governance has improved to Good, and management, staffing, and resources are also Good, fostering a positive school culture despite a need for greater clarity in leadership roles. leadership effectivenessparental involvementself-evaluation

Key Highlights

Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.

Strong External Exam Results

Students demonstrate strong achievement in external examinations, particularly in Arabic, Islamic education, mathematics, and chemistry in Years 11-13, and English in Year 11.

Positive Student Attitudes

Students across all phases exhibit positive attitudes towards learning and actively support their peers, fostering a collaborative and empathetic environment.

Comprehensive Wellbeing Support

The school provides comprehensive healthcare and support services, ensuring the well-being and safety of students through proactive measures and inclusive facilities.

Effective Self-Evaluation

The school demonstrates a clear understanding of its strengths and areas for improvement, supported by systematic self-evaluation and ongoing review processes.

Strong Parental Partnerships

Effective partnerships with parents significantly enhance the school community, positively contributing to student outcomes and overall well-being.

Exceeding PISA Targets

Students consistently exceed international PISA targets in scientific, mathematical, and reading literacy, reflecting the school's strategic focus on global assessment outcomes.

Academic Performance Breakdown

KGKG1-KG2
Islamic Education
Acceptable
Arabic as a first language
Acceptable
English
Acceptable
Mathematics
Acceptable
Science
Acceptable
Learning Skills
Acceptable
KG Note
In KG, attainment and progress are generally acceptable, with some regression noted in mathematics, science, and learning skills. English attainment remained acceptable while progress remained good.
Primary (Cycle 1)Years 1-6
Islamic Education
Very Good
Arabic as a first language
Very Good
Arabic as a second language
Acceptable
UAE Social Studies
Very Good
English
Good
Mathematics
Good
Science
Good
Learning Skills
Good
Primary (Cycle 1) Note
Primary (Cycle 1) shows strong improvement in Islamic Education and Arabic (first language). English, Mathematics, and Science also show positive shifts, though Arabic (second language) remains acceptable.
Middle (Cycle 2)Years 7-9
Islamic Education
Good
Arabic as a first language
Good
Arabic as a second language
Good
UAE Social Studies
Very Good
English
Very Good
Mathematics
Very Good
Science
Very Good
Learning Skills
Very Good
Middle (Cycle 2) Note
Middle (Cycle 2) demonstrates significant improvements across English, Mathematics, Science, UAE Social Studies, and Learning Skills, all achieving Very Good ratings. Islamic Education and Arabic (first language) maintained Good.
Secondary (Cycle 3)Years 10-13
Islamic Education
Very Good
Arabic as a first language
Good
Arabic as a second language
Good
Mathematics
Good
Science
Good
Learning Skills
Very Good
Secondary (Cycle 3) Note
Secondary (Cycle 3) shows strong progress in Islamic Education and Arabic (first language). While Mathematics and Science attainment regressed, progress in these subjects remained Very Good. Learning skills also improved to Very Good.

Overall, students' achievement has improved significantly across Arabic-medium subjects and in English-medium subjects in Middle (Cycle 2). While some phases show consistent strength, others require targeted development to ensure sustained progress and attainment, particularly in areas where regression was noted.

Leadership & Management

Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.

The effectiveness of leadership
Senior leadership ensures accountability and fosters a positive school culture.
Very Good
School self-evaluation and improvement planning
Strategic approach to identifying priorities and enhancing learning outcomes.
Very Good
Parents and the community
Strong partnerships and initiatives promote student development.
Very Good
Governance
Increased involvement of parents and students at the board level.
Good
Management, staffing, facilities and resources
Effective timetabling, staff deployment, and well-equipped facilities.
Good

Leadership Approach

The senior leadership team ensures accountability through data analysis, lesson observations, and staff reviews, fostering a positive school culture and supporting staff development. They have strategically improved self-evaluation and planning, and enhanced parental and community involvement, though greater clarity in leadership roles and consistency in teaching are needed.

Inspection Findings

Students' Achievement

Students' achievement has improved overall, particularly in Arabic and English-medium subjects, with strong performance in external examinations and PISA assessments. However, inconsistencies exist across phases and subjects, with some areas needing further development in Quranic reading and progress for low attainers.

Personal & Social Development

Students demonstrate positive attitudes, social responsibility, and empathy. While personal development is good in older phases, attendance in KG (Phase 1) is inconsistent. A deeper understanding of Islamic values, UAE heritage, and cultural diversity is needed across all phases.

Teaching & Assessment

Teaching quality has improved in older phases, supported by strong subject knowledge and a comprehensive assessment system. However, consistency in feedback, self- and peer-assessment, and challenging high-attaining students needs further enhancement, particularly in KG (Phase 1).

Curriculum Design & Adaptation

The curriculum is well-structured, aligned with national and international standards (EYFS to A-level), and promotes discovery learning and cross-curricular connections. It is adapted for EAL students, but opportunities for enterprise, innovation, and broader community engagement are limited.

Protection, Care & Support

The school provides very good health and safety measures, including proactive checks and comprehensive risk assessments. Facilities are well-maintained and inclusive, ensuring strong care and support for all students, including those with special educational needs.

Areas for Development

  • Raise students’ attainment and progress to a consistently very good level in all core subjects and phases by maximizing reading and extended writing opportunities in Arabic as a first and second language and Islamic education, improving attainment in Arabic as first and second language, ensuring very good progress and attainment in English and science in Phases 1 and 2, extending speaking opportunities in both Arabic and English, enhancing phonics and reading approaches in Phases 1 and 2, extending opportunities for independent work in Phase 1, and appropriately supporting lower abilities while challenging higher abilities and gifted and talented students.
  • Further strengthen teaching, assessment, and learning skills by fostering deeper student engagement through questioning, ensuring consistency in the use of feedback (including self- and peer-assessment), enhancing the use of resources (including technology), providing more opportunities for creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship, and ensuring consistently high teacher expectations across all streams.
  • Further strengthen the impact of leadership by reducing staffing turnover, ensuring stability and continuity of middle and senior leader positions, improving student attendance systems, enhancing the capacity of middle leaders, and strengthening the identification process and staffing to better support students with additional learning needs, including students of determination.