Al Amana Private School, Sharjah
British School in Al Ramla, Sharjah
Last updated
Curriculum
British
SPEA
Acceptable
Location
Sharjah, Al Ramla
Fees
AED 10K - 15K
The Executive Summary
Al Amana Private School Sharjah is a co-educational Cambridge International school serving students from FS2 through Year 11 in the Al Ramla area of Sharjah. Established in 2004, it occupies a clear niche: an affordable British-curriculum school for predominantly South Asian and Middle Eastern families seeking a structured, values-driven education without the premium price tag of Sharjah's more established international schools. The school holds a SPEA rating of Acceptable - the same rating it received in its previous review cycle - which tells a story of a school that meets minimum regulatory standards but has not yet broken through to the next tier of performance. With school fees in Sharjah ranging from AED 9,670 for FS2 to AED 14,120 for Year 11 (inclusive of books), Al Amana sits firmly in the value segment of the market. The Cambridge IGCSE curriculum Sharjah offering covers both Science and Commerce streams, with accreditation from Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) to conduct examinations in May/June. For families in the Al Ramla schools catchment seeking a culturally familiar, Islamic-values-grounded environment at an accessible price point, Al Amana makes a coherent case.
The honest picture is more nuanced. SPEA inspectors found that Phase 3 (secondary) students perform at Good level across most subjects - a genuine strength - while Phases 1 and 2 remain at Acceptable, pulling down the overall rating. Teaching quality varies significantly across year groups, and the school's own self-evaluation has been judged as over-generous in places, which is a governance concern worth noting. A teacher turnover rate of 30% is high and creates continuity risk, particularly for younger students. Extended writing skills in English, Arabic and Urdu are flagged as persistent weaknesses. For families prioritising academic stretch, a wide extracurricular offer, or Sixth Form provision beyond Year 11, Al Amana is not the right fit. For families seeking an affordable, community-oriented Cambridge school with a strong Islamic ethos and improving secondary outcomes, it warrants serious consideration - with eyes open to its limitations.
Cambridge IGCSE AccreditedSPEA Acceptable RatingAffordable British CurriculumFS2 to Year 11
“The teachers know my child by name and the school feels like a real community. For the fees we pay, we are getting a Cambridge education with good values - that matters to our family.”
— Year 6 Parent(representative)Academic Framework & Learning Style
Al Amana follows a sequential Cambridge International pathway from the earliest years through to IGCSE. In FS2, the school uses the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework, focusing on Personal, Social and Emotional Development; Communication, Language and Literacy; Problem Solving, Reasoning and Numeracy; Knowledge and Understanding of the World; Physical Development; and Creative Development. From Years 1 and 2 onwards, the school transitions into the Cambridge Primary programme, which runs through to Year 7. Cambridge Secondary then covers Years 8 and 9, before students enter the IGCSE pathway in Years 10 and 11.
The IGCSE structure at Al Amana is strategically split across two years. ICT and English as a Second Language are examined at the end of Year 10 (following two years of study in Years 9 and 10), while Mathematics and three stream subjects are examined at the end of Year 11. Students choose between a Science stream (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) or a Commerce stream (Accounting, Business Studies, Economics). All students take English, ICT and Mathematics as compulsory subjects. This dual-stream model is well-suited to the school's predominantly South Asian student body, where commerce pathways are a popular choice for university preparation.
SPEA inspection data reveals a clear academic divide between phases. In Phase 3 (secondary), student attainment and progress are rated Good in Mathematics, Science, Islamic Education and other subjects - a creditable outcome. IGCSE external data for Year 11 students showed outstanding attainment in English, and Cambridge Checkpoint results for Year 10 also showed outstanding attainment. Mathematics IGCSE attainment was rated very good. However, in Phases 1 and 2, attainment and progress across most subjects sit at Acceptable, including English, Mathematics and Science. This gap between primary and secondary performance is the school's defining academic challenge.
The curriculum is supplemented by the UAE Ministry of Education's statutory requirements: Arabic (First and Additional Language), Islamic Education, National Education, Moral Education and Social Studies are all delivered alongside the Cambridge framework. French and Urdu are offered as modern foreign languages from Year 4 onwards, and Environmental Management is available from Year 9. The school also participates in a comprehensive suite of external benchmark assessments including IGCSE, GL assessments, CAT4, PISA, TIMSS, PIRLS, ABT, TALA, IBT, Progression Tests and Cambridge Checkpoint - a rigorous external validation framework that gives families data beyond internal marks.
Academic support for Students of Determination exists in policy, with the school stating it welcomes students with a range of learning needs and can deploy Learning Support Assistants. However, SPEA inspectors flagged that teachers' use of assessment data to differentiate for SEN and Gifted and Talented students is an area requiring improvement. With only 7 identified Students of Determination in a school of over 1,000 pupils, the identification and support pipeline appears underdeveloped. University destinations are not publicly tracked, as the school currently runs only to Year 11 - families planning for post-secondary pathways will need to arrange Sixth Form or A-Level provision elsewhere.
Outstanding
IGCSE English Attainment (Year 11)
Cambridge external examination data per SPEA inspection
Very Good
IGCSE Mathematics Attainment
Cambridge external examination data per SPEA inspection
Good
Phase 3 Attainment - Maths, Science, Islamic Education
SPEA inspection rating, 2023-24
11
External Benchmark Assessments Used
Including IGCSE, CAT4, TIMSS, PIRLS, Checkpoint and more
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
Al Amana's extracurricular offer is modest relative to larger Sharjah private schools, but the school does demonstrate a genuine commitment to student life beyond the classroom. The school's homepage and gallery document a range of annual events and activities that form the backbone of the school's community calendar.
Sports feature prominently, with the school running dedicated Sports Days for both primary and secondary students. The gallery documents boys' and girls' sports events, suggesting a degree of gender-inclusive provision. The school has also participated in external competitions - notably, the school website records success at the AUS Quiz Competition, where Al Amana students won, indicating some engagement with inter-school academic enrichment activities beyond the campus.
The school runs an active Scout Team, highlighted as a leadership development programme. Scouting at Al Amana is positioned around character building, teamwork and community responsibility - values that align with the school's broader 'Love and Logic' educational philosophy. This is a meaningful addition for families who value structured co-curricular development.
Cultural and Islamic events are a genuine strength of the school's extracurricular calendar. The Qur'an and Adhan Competition is an annual fixture, as is the celebration of UAE National Day, Flag Day and Tolerance Day. The school also holds a formal Investiture and Felicitation Ceremony to recognise student achievement and appoint student leaders - an indicator of a functioning student leadership structure.
A Graduation (Caps Off) Ceremony for completing Year 11 students is held annually, providing a meaningful milestone for the school's leavers. The school's Instagram presence (with over 8,900 followers) documents these events regularly, suggesting an active school community. However, the school website does not publish a formal ECA timetable or list of clubs, which makes it difficult to assess the full breadth and depth of the after-school offer. Parents should ask specifically about the current ECA schedule during admissions visits.
Active
Scout Team Programme
Formal leadership and character development programme
AUS Quiz Competition WinnersScout Team LeadershipQur'an and Adhan CompetitionInvestiture CeremonyBoys and Girls Sports Days
Pastoral Care & Well-being
Al Amana's pastoral identity is rooted in its founding philosophy of 'Love and Logic' - a dual framework that positions nurturing relationships alongside structured personal responsibility. The school describes 'Love' as building trusting relationships where students feel respected, appreciated and valued by their teachers, while 'Logic' is designed to develop self-control, good decision-making, self-confidence and moral character. In practice, SPEA inspectors observed that students' behaviour and attitudes to learning are positive across the school, and that teacher-student relationships are warm and constructive - a meaningful endorsement of the pastoral culture.
Student attendance is described by SPEA as very high, which is a strong proxy indicator of student wellbeing and school belonging. Students who feel safe and engaged attend regularly; the attendance data at Al Amana suggests the school's community feel is genuine.
The school states it is an inclusive environment welcoming Students of Determination and Gifted and Talented learners. Individual support plans can be designed by teachers, and Learning Support Assistants can be deployed for students requiring additional help. However, with only 7 formally identified Students of Determination in a population of over 1,000, and with SPEA noting that differentiation for diverse learners needs strengthening, the pastoral-academic bridge for students with additional needs requires attention.
A Parent Council is referenced on the school website, indicating some formal structure for parent voice. SPEA inspectors specifically commended the school's effective collaborative working with parents as a key area of strength - this is not a trivial finding. Parent partnership is a genuine differentiator for Al Amana. The school also offers a callback service and online parent application portal, and e-payments are handled through the Skiply platform. There is no publicly available information about a formal counselling service, dedicated mental health support staff or a house system, which are areas where the school's pastoral infrastructure lags behind higher-rated schools in Sharjah.
“The school genuinely communicates with us. When there is an issue, the teachers reach out. That relationship with parents is something I did not expect at this fee level.”
— Year 4 Parent(representative)Campus & Facilities
Al Amana Private School is located in Al Ramla West, Sharjah - a residential area in the eastern part of the city, close to the Sharjah-Ajman border. The campus serves a community that includes a significant proportion of South Asian families, and the location is well-connected by road, with the school offering its own transportation service to Sharjah and Ajman.
SPEA inspectors described the school's premises as adequate to meet the learning needs of students and noted that the day-to-day management and operation of the school is appropriately organised. The school website references a well-stocked library, a clinic, a canteen, and IT and science laboratories as core facilities. These are functional essentials rather than premium amenities, and parents should calibrate expectations accordingly - this is not a campus with a swimming pool, performing arts centre or expansive sports fields.
The school's gallery documents active use of outdoor spaces for Sports Days, suggesting usable sports grounds. The IT infrastructure supports the delivery of ICT as a core IGCSE subject, and the science labs enable the practical investigative work that SPEA inspectors noted was more developed in Phase 3. The school holds a Common Sense School Badge, indicating a recognised commitment to digital literacy and responsible technology use - a positive signal for families concerned about online safety.
For a school of over 1,000 students, the campus facilities are functional but not expansive. Families accustomed to the facilities of higher-fee schools in Sharjah or Dubai will find Al Amana's infrastructure modest. However, at a fee point of under AED 15,000 per year, the facilities are broadly commensurate with the price. The Al Ramla location is convenient for families living in eastern Sharjah or Ajman, with the school's two-way transport covering both emirates.
1,036+
Students on Campus
Current enrolment per SPEA data
Al Ramla West
Campus Location
Eastern Sharjah, near Sharjah-Ajman border
IT and Science LabsWell-Stocked LibrarySchool ClinicCommon Sense School BadgeSharjah and Ajman Transport
Teaching & Learning Quality
The SPEA inspection report provides the most detailed available picture of teaching quality at Al Amana, and the findings are mixed in ways that parents need to understand clearly. The headline finding is that teaching quality varies considerably across phases. In Phase 3 (secondary), the majority of teachers demonstrate secure subject knowledge and facilitate good progress - this is a genuine strength. In Phases 1 and 2 (early years and primary), the picture is more uneven, with inspectors noting that teachers' understanding of how younger children learn best varies considerably.
The teacher-to-student ratio is 1:14 based on SPEA inspection data - a reasonable ratio that should, in principle, allow for adequate individual attention. The school employs 65 teachers (68 at the time of inspection), with teaching assistants providing additional support. The majority of teachers are of Indian nationality, which is consistent with many British-curriculum schools in this fee bracket across the UAE.
The most significant concern for prospective parents is the teacher turnover rate of 30%. This is high by any measure, and it has real implications for continuity of learning, particularly in the primary years where relationship-based learning is most important. A school losing nearly a third of its teaching staff each year faces structural challenges in building a consistent pedagogical culture.
In terms of pedagogy, the school describes its approach as student-centred, with planning designed around student achievement. SPEA inspectors noted that most teachers demonstrate secure subject knowledge and that teacher-student relationships are positive. However, inspectors also found that teachers' use of assessment data to differentiate instruction - particularly for SEN and Gifted and Talented students - needs improvement. The monitoring and evaluation of improvement initiatives across subjects was also flagged as inconsistent.
The school participates in a wide range of external benchmark assessments (CAT4, Progression Tests, Cambridge Checkpoint, TIMSS, PIRLS), which provides teachers with external data to inform their planning. The extent to which this data is systematically used to adapt teaching is an area SPEA has identified for development. Professional development is referenced in school documentation, but the high turnover rate suggests retention and staff satisfaction may be underlying challenges that development programmes alone cannot address.
1:14
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
Per SPEA inspection data
30%
Annual Teacher Turnover Rate
High - continuity risk, especially in primary phases
65
Total Teaching Staff
Plus 6 teaching assistants per SPEA data
Leadership & Management
Al Amana is led by Principal Roshan Ahsan, whose name and vision are central to the school's identity. Mrs. Ahsan's message on the school website articulates a philosophy of collective learning - the idea that teachers, parents and staff are all learners alongside students. Her stated aspiration is to build a school where parents are welcome at any time, students are engaged in meaningful learning, and staff are valued and appreciated. This is an accessible, community-oriented leadership vision that resonates with the school's parent body.
The Chair of the Board of Governors is Abdul Azeez, per SPEA inspection data. SPEA inspectors found that the senior leadership team and governing board provide a positive learning experience for all children and students and have taken appropriate steps to increase academic attainment. Governors have made specific requests for improvement that leaders have acted upon, with a range of improvement initiatives implemented that are beginning to have impact.
However, SPEA inspectors also noted a significant governance concern: leaders' current evaluation of some aspects of the school's performance is over-generous. This means the school's self-assessment does not always accurately reflect the reality observed by inspectors - a gap that can slow improvement if not addressed. The rigour and consistency of self-evaluation processes was listed as a key area for improvement.
Parent communication is handled through multiple channels: the school website, a parent application portal, e-payment through the Skiply platform, and direct phone and email contact. The school also offers a callback service for prospective families. A Parent Council is referenced, suggesting some formal structure for parent voice, and SPEA inspectors specifically commended the school's collaborative working with parents as a key strength. The school's social media presence - particularly Instagram with over 8,900 followers - serves as an active communication and community engagement tool. Overall, leadership at Al Amana is stable and community-focused, but needs to sharpen its internal quality assurance to move the school to the next performance tier.
SPEA Inspection Results (Decoded)
Al Amana's most recent SPEA School Performance Review was conducted over four days in February 2024, involving a team of 5 reviewers who completed 139 lesson observations (27 jointly with school leaders). The overall effectiveness rating is Acceptable - unchanged from the previous review in 2022-23. This rating stability is a double-edged signal: it confirms the school is not deteriorating, but also confirms it has not yet made the step-change needed to reach Good.
The inspection framework assessed six Performance Standards: Students' Achievement, Personal and Social Development, Teaching and Assessment, Curriculum, Protection and Care, and Leadership and Management. Across these standards, the school's performance is broadly consistent with its overall Acceptable rating, with Phase 3 emerging as a genuine area of strength and Phases 1 and 2 as the persistent drag on overall performance.
Students' achievement overall is Acceptable, but the breakdown is important. In Phase 3, attainment and progress in Mathematics, Science, Islamic Education and other subjects are rated Good. IGCSE external results show outstanding attainment in English and very good attainment in Mathematics - these are the school's strongest data points. In Phases 1 and 2, attainment and progress across English, Mathematics, Science and most other subjects sit at Acceptable. Arabic (both First and Additional Language) is Acceptable across most phases, with Good attained only in AFL in Phase 3.
The inspection highlighted students' speaking skills in English and Arabic across all phases as a key strength - a finding that speaks to the school's oral culture and teacher-student interaction quality. Conversely, extended writing skills in English, Arabic and Urdu are flagged as persistent weaknesses across multiple phases, suggesting a systemic gap in how written expression is taught and developed.
On Teaching and Assessment, the inspection found that most teachers have secure subject knowledge but that understanding of how children learn best varies considerably in Phases 1 and 2. Assessment data is not consistently used to meet the needs of all learner groups. The Curriculum is judged as appropriately broad and balanced, meeting Cambridge and UAE Ministry requirements. Leadership and Management is noted as providing a positive learning environment, with effective parent partnerships, but self-evaluation rigour needs strengthening.
Strong Secondary Academic Outcomes
Phase 3 students achieve Good attainment and progress in Mathematics, Science and Islamic Education. IGCSE external data shows outstanding English attainment and very good Mathematics results - the school's clearest academic proof point.
Positive Student Behaviour and Attendance
Inspectors commended students' positive behaviour, attitudes to learning and very high attendance across all phases. Teacher-student relationships are warm and constructive, supporting a safe and orderly learning environment.
Effective Parent Partnership
SPEA inspectors specifically identified the school's collaborative working with parents as a key area of strength. Parent communication channels are active and the school's openness to parent engagement is a genuine differentiator at this fee level.
Primary Phase Teaching and Differentiation
Teaching, learning and assessment in Phases 1 and 2 require improvement. Teachers' use of assessment information to meet the needs of SEN and Gifted and Talented students is inconsistent, and the monitoring of improvement initiatives across subjects lacks rigour.
Extended Writing Across Languages
Students' extended writing skills in English, Arabic (First and Additional Language) and Urdu are underdeveloped across multiple phases. This is a systemic weakness that affects both academic outcomes and exam performance, and requires a coordinated school-wide writing strategy.
Inspection History
2022-2023
Acceptable
2023-2024
Acceptable
Fees & Value for Money
Al Amana Private School offers a Cambridge International curriculum with a transparent fee structure for the 2025–2026 academic year. Annual fees range from AED 9,670 for Foundation Stage 1, Foundation Stage 2 and Year 1 up to AED 14,656 for Year 12, making it one of the more affordable private Cambridge schools in Sharjah. Importantly, the published fees are inclusive of books and tuition, providing families with a clear all-in cost for core schooling without hidden charges for learning materials.
AED 9,670
Annual Fees From
AED 14,656
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
FS1
AED 9,670FS2
AED 9,670Year 1
AED 9,670Year 2
AED 10,667Year 3
AED 10,642Year 4
AED 11,351Year 5
AED 11,371Year 6
AED 11,948Year 7
AED 11,923Year 8
AED 12,069Year 9
AED 12,890Year 10
AED 13,269Year 11
AED 14,120Year 12
AED 14,656Beyond tuition, families should budget for mandatory external examination fees such as IGCSE (AED 800 per subject), Cambridge Checkpoint (AED 550–700), CAT4 (AED 80), PT Series (AED 70–100), and Arabic assessment fees (TALA/IBT, AED 35–50), which are charged separately and vary by year group. Uniform costs (AED 350 per year) and optional transportation (AED 3,600–3,800 annually for two-way service from Sharjah or Ajman) are also additional. A one-time reservation fee of AED 500 is required upon enrolment, which is deducted from the first term's tuition fee but is non-refundable if the student does not join.
Fees are payable in three termly installments, with the first term paid in cash accompanied by two post-dated cheques for the remaining terms. The school's refund policy is structured around attendance duration, and a one full term's notice is required before a student leaves. Overall, Al Amana Private School represents a competitively priced option for families seeking a Cambridge education in the Sharjah–Ajman corridor.
Additional Costs
Reservation / Enrolment Fee500(one-time)
Uniform350(annual)
Transportation – Sharjah (Two-Way)3600(annual)
Transportation – Ajman (Two-Way)3800(annual)
Mubakkir Exam Fee35(annual)
Mubakkir Exam Fee (Arabs) – Year 2 & 335(annual)
IBT Exam Fee (Non-Arabs) – Year 2 & 345(annual)
TALA Arabic Exam Fee (Arabs) – Year 4–1150(annual)
IBT Arabic Exam Fee (Non-Arabs) – Year 4–1145(annual)
PT Series Exam Fee (English, Maths & Science) – Year 4, 6, 8, 9, 10100(annual)
PT Series Exam Fee (English & Maths) – Year 770(annual)
CAT4 Exam Fee – Year 4, 6, 8, 1080(annual)
Cambridge Checkpoint Exam Fee – Year 6550(annual)
Cambridge Checkpoint Exam Fee – Year 9700(annual)
IGCSE Exam Fee – Year 10800(annual)
IGCSE Exam Fee – Year 11800(per-exam)
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
Al Amana Private School is a school that delivers what it promises: an affordable Cambridge International education in a community-oriented, Islamic-values environment in Al Ramla, Sharjah. It does not pretend to be something it is not, and at its fee level, it offers genuine value for the right family. The school's secondary phase is its strongest asset - IGCSE results in English and Mathematics are creditable by any measure, and Phase 3 students consistently achieve Good outcomes across core subjects. The pastoral culture is warm, parent communication is strong, and student behaviour is a genuine strength.
The limitations are equally clear. A 30% teacher turnover rate is a structural weakness that will concern any parent who values consistency. Primary phase teaching quality needs improvement. Extended writing across English, Arabic and Urdu is underdeveloped school-wide. There is no Sixth Form - families must plan for Year 12 and 13 provision elsewhere. The campus facilities are functional but modest. And an Acceptable SPEA rating, held across two consecutive review cycles, signals a school that is stable but not yet improving at the pace needed to reach Good.
For families who can afford higher fees and prioritise academic stretch, a wide ECA offer, or a higher-rated regulatory outcome, there are better-placed schools in Sharjah. But for families for whom accessibility, community, Islamic values and a genuine Cambridge credential are the priorities - and for whom budget is a real constraint - Al Amana is a credible, honest choice.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Families from South Asian or Arab backgrounds seeking an affordable Cambridge IGCSE school in eastern Sharjah or Ajman, where Islamic values, community warmth and a structured British curriculum matter more than premium facilities or a high SPEA rating.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families seeking a Sixth Form pathway, a Very Good or Outstanding SPEA-rated school, a wide extracurricular programme, or those who prioritise consistent primary-phase teaching quality and low staff turnover.
“
My son completed his IGCSEs here and the results were good. The secondary teachers are dedicated. I just wish the primary years had been stronger - we noticed the difference when he moved up.
— Year 11 Graduate Parent
Strengths
- Affordable Cambridge IGCSE pathway with fees under AED 15,000 including books
- Outstanding IGCSE English attainment and very good Mathematics results
- Phase 3 secondary outcomes rated Good across most subjects by SPEA
- Strong parent partnership - commended by SPEA inspectors
- Very high student attendance reflecting positive school community
- Dual Science and Commerce IGCSE streams suit diverse student aspirations
- Cambridge Checkpoint and external benchmarks provide transparent data
- Transport available for both Sharjah and Ajman families
Areas for Improvement
- 30% annual teacher turnover creates significant continuity risk in primary years
- Overall SPEA rating Acceptable for two consecutive cycles - no upward trajectory yet
- No Sixth Form - families must arrange Year 12 and 13 provision elsewhere
- Extended writing skills in English, Arabic and Urdu underdeveloped across phases
- Campus facilities are functional but modest relative to higher-fee Sharjah schools