AL Ahliah Charity Private School-Branch Samnan
Executive Summary
AL Ahliah Charity Private School - Branch 4 (Samnan) is a boys-only secondary school located in the Samnan area of Sharjah, following the Ministry of Education curriculum. Established in August 2022, this was the school's first inspection, and its overall effectiveness was rated Acceptable. The school serves 735 male students across Grades 9 to 12, with instruction delivered in Arabic.
Students make good progress in Islamic Education, Arabic Language, and Social Studies, and their personal and social development is rated Good, with students demonstrating clear understanding of Islamic values and Emirati culture. Achievement in core subjects is generally acceptable but varies across subjects, with English, Mathematics, and Science all rated Acceptable for both attainment and progress.
Teaching and assessment quality is Acceptable overall, limited by inconsistent use of assessment data to plan lessons that meet all learners' needs. The curriculum meets MoE requirements but is not well-adapted for all learners. Strategic planning and accountability are insufficient to drive sustained improvement across all areas, and the identification and support of students with special educational needs requires significant strengthening.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
AL Ahliah Charity Private School-Branch Samnan Overall Rating
Acceptable
SPEA Performance Standards
The performance standards used by SPEA to evaluate school quality across Sharjah.
The school has 4 students of determination. Identification and effective support for students with special educational needs is a key area for improvement. Gifted and talented students are also not sufficiently challenged to maximise their achievement. Students of DeterminationGifted and Talented
Student care and support is rated Acceptable. Students demonstrate positive attitudes and mutual respect, and attendance is very good at 96.6%. However, students do not consistently apply healthy lifestyle practices in their daily lives, and pastoral support structures require further development. 96.6% attendanceStudent Care
Results from the International Benchmark Test (IBT) show students in Grades 9 and 10 achieving above the Middle East regional average in English, while Science results were Very Good in Grade 9 but Weak in Grade 10. Arabic Language Arts (Tala'a) test results indicate Weak attainment. Overall benchmark performance is mixed. IBTArabic Language ArtsTala'a
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Good Student Progress
Students make good progress in Islamic Education, Arabic Language, and Social Studies, demonstrating strong understanding of curriculum content in these subjects.
Personal Development
Students' personal and social development is rated Good, with students showing positive attitudes, mutual respect, and strong awareness of Islamic values and Emirati culture.
Islamic & Cultural Awareness
Students demonstrate deep appreciation for Islamic values and UAE heritage, actively participating in national occasions, cultural events, and charitable initiatives.
Daily School Management
The school's daily management is effective, with well-maintained routines, good attendance rates, and orderly morning assemblies contributing to a positive school environment.
Above-Average IBT Results
Students in Grades 9 and 10 achieved above the Middle East regional average in the International Benchmark Test for English, indicating relative strength in this area.
Academic Performance Breakdown
This is the school's first inspection. Internal assessment data consistently overstates attainment and progress compared to what is observed in lessons and student work. External benchmark data provides a more reliable picture of student performance.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
School leadership, led by Principal Mohammed Othman Ali Al Mazmi, ensures compliance with Ministry of Education regulations and maintains effective daily operations. However, strategic planning and self-evaluation lack the accuracy and rigour needed to drive sustained improvement across all areas. Leaders' accountability for student outcomes and the quality of teaching needs to be significantly strengthened to support the school's development journey.
Inspection Findings
Students' Outcomes
Overall student achievement is rated Acceptable. Students make good progress in Islamic Education, Arabic Language, and Social Studies, but attainment in English, Mathematics, and Science is Acceptable. Internal assessment data overstates performance compared to observed lessons and external benchmark results. Learning skills are Acceptable, with students showing positive engagement but limited independent learning and critical thinking.
Personal Development
Personal and social development is rated Good overall. Students demonstrate positive attitudes, mutual respect, and strong awareness of Islamic values and UAE culture and heritage. Attendance is very good at 96.6%. Social responsibility is Acceptable, with limited student-led innovation and sustainability engagement, though some students participate in charitable and community activities.
Teaching Quality
Teaching and assessment quality is Acceptable overall. Teachers have good subject knowledge and plan activities based on student abilities, but lessons are not always structured to maximise student progress. Use of assessment information to differentiate and plan outstanding lessons is inconsistent. Opportunities for independent learning, collaborative work, and higher-order thinking are insufficient across subjects.
Protection & Care
Student protection, care, and support are rated Acceptable. The school maintains a safe and respectful environment with effective handling of limited bullying incidents. Student wellbeing support structures exist but require further development. Identification and targeted support for students of determination and gifted learners is an area requiring significant improvement.
Areas for Development
- •Improve student achievement across all subjects and grade levels, particularly in English, Mathematics, and Science, to raise attainment and progress to at least Good.
- •Implement high-quality teaching practices, including effective use of assessment data to improve student outcomes, promote independent learning, and build student resilience.
- •Effectively identify and support students with special educational needs, and provide sufficient challenge for gifted and talented students to maximise their achievement and ensure an inclusive learning environment.
- •Strengthen the accuracy and effectiveness of self-evaluation and strategic planning, and improve leadership accountability for student outcomes and overall school performance.