Al Awael Private School
Executive Summary
Al Awael Private School, operating under the MoE (UAE) curriculum in Al Ain, has maintained an overall Acceptable rating in its latest ADEK Irtiqa inspection for the 2024-2025 academic year. The school demonstrates a commitment to providing a safe and supportive learning environment, fostering positive relationships, and strong partnerships with parents.
Academically, the school has sustained students' achievement in most subjects, with notable improvements in Social Studies in Cycle 3. However, challenges persist in areas such as English in KG, and some aspects of Islamic Education in Cycles 1 and 2 have regressed. While students show secure understanding of core concepts in Mathematics and Science, opportunities for independent problem-solving and inquiry are limited. The school is developing its awareness and alignment with international assessments like TIMSS and PISA.
The inspection highlights students' Good personal and social development, including responsible attitudes, respect for Emirati heritage, and positive behavior. Teaching and assessment practices are generally Acceptable, with a need for more varied instructional strategies and effective differentiation. Leadership and management are also rated Acceptable, having navigated high staff turnover and fluctuating enrolment, though these efforts have yet to consistently improve student attainment.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Al Awael Private School Overall Rating
Acceptable for 2+ consecutive years
ADEK Performance Standards
The six Irtiqa inspection standards used by ADEK to evaluate school performance across Abu Dhabi.
Students' achievement is Acceptable overall, with varied performance across subjects and cycles. Social Studies in Cycles 1 and 3 improved to Good, while English in KG regressed to Weak. Islamic Education in Cycles 1 and 2 also regressed to Acceptable. Mathematics and Science remain Acceptable across all cycles, indicating secure conceptual understanding but limited opportunities for independent problem-solving. Social StudiesEnglishIslamic EducationMathematicsScience
Students demonstrate Good personal and social development across all cycles, exhibiting responsible attitudes, respectful relationships, and positive behavior. They show a sound understanding of Islamic values and Emirati heritage, contributing meaningfully to school and community initiatives. However, their innovation and leadership skills, particularly in initiating impactful projects, are still developing. Islamic valuesEmirati heritageinnovation skills
Teaching and assessment are Acceptable in KG, Cycle 1, and Cycle 2, improving to Good in Cycle 3. Teachers often rely on a limited range of instructional strategies and do not consistently adapt tasks to meet diverse learning needs. While assessment data is rigorously analyzed, it is not yet effectively used for differentiation or to provide consistent support and challenge, particularly for higher-attaining students. instructional strategiesdifferentiationassessment information
Curriculum design, implementation, and adaptation are Acceptable across all cycles. The school adheres to the UAE MoE curriculum, but its implementation is predominantly textbook-based, focusing on knowledge acquisition rather than skill development. Adaptations to the curriculum largely depend on individual teacher initiative, lacking consistency in planning across subjects and phases. MoE curriculumtextbook-basedskill developmentcurriculum adaptation
The school provides Good protection, care, guidance, and support for students across all cycles. Well-established safeguarding procedures, effective supervision, and a clean, secure learning environment are in place. A strong culture of respect and support fosters positive relationships. Systems for monitoring attendance and well-being are effective, and support is provided for students of determination, though consistent implementation of IEP strategies requires further development. safeguarding procedureswell-beingstudents of determinationIEP strategies
Leadership and management are Acceptable overall, while partnerships with parents are Good. School leaders have effectively managed challenges arising from high staff turnover and fluctuating student enrolment. However, these efforts have not yet resulted in consistent improvement in students' attainment in lessons or external assessments, indicating a need for stronger strategic impact. high staff turnoverstudent enrolmentparents and communitystudent attainment
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Sustained Achievement
The school has sustained students’ achievement in most subjects and improved outcomes in Social Studies in Cycle 3, despite challenges like high teacher turnover.
Positive Relationships
Positive relationships across the school community contribute to a respectful and supportive learning environment for all students.
Strong Learning Behaviors
Students demonstrate strong learning behaviors, a deep respect for Emirati heritage and culture, and a growing awareness of environmental issues.
Safe & Nurturing Environment
The school provides a safe, secure, and nurturing environment through effective systems for student care, protection, and well-being.
Strong Parent Partnerships
Strong partnerships with parents and efficient daily operations support the smooth running of the school and contribute positively to the overall learning environment.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Students' learning skills are Acceptable in KG, Cycle 1, and Cycle 2, and Good in Cycle 3, with older students taking more responsibility for their learning.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
School leaders have effectively managed operational challenges such as high staff turnover and fluctuating student enrolment, ensuring the smooth running of daily operations. However, their efforts have not yet translated into consistent improvements in students' attainment, indicating a need for more strategic impact on teaching and learning outcomes.
Inspection Findings
Students' Achievement
Achievement varies across subjects and cycles, with improvements in Social Studies but regressions in English (KG) and Islamic Education (Cycles 1 & 2). While core concepts are understood, independent problem-solving and inquiry skills are limited. Performance in external assessments like PISA and TIMSS is generally below international averages and school targets.
Personal & Social Development
Students demonstrate responsible attitudes, respectful relationships, and positive behavior, with a sound understanding of Islamic values and Emirati heritage. They contribute meaningfully to school and community initiatives, though their innovation and leadership skills, particularly in initiating impactful projects, are still developing.
Teaching & Assessment
Teachers often use a limited range of instructional strategies and do not consistently adapt tasks to meet diverse learning needs. While assessment information is rigorously analyzed, it is not yet effectively used for differentiation or to provide appropriate support and challenge, particularly for higher-attaining students, except in Cycle 3.
Curriculum Design & Adaptation
The curriculum adheres to the UAE MoE framework but is predominantly textbook-based, focusing on knowledge acquisition rather than skill development. Adaptations are largely dependent on individual teacher initiative, lacking consistency in planning across subjects and phases, which restricts students' overall skill development.
Protection, Care & Support
The school has well-established safeguarding procedures, effective supervision, and provides a clean, secure learning environment. A strong culture of respect and support is evident, with positive relationships between staff and students. Systems for monitoring attendance and student well-being are in place, and support is provided for students of determination, though consistent implementation of IEP strategies requires further development.
Areas for Development
- •Improve the overall students’ achievement across all subjects by improving writing skills in Arabic and English, developing independent learning and collaboration skills, enhancing research skills, and ensuring lessons are consistently challenging for higher-attaining students.
- •Enhance teaching and learning across cycles to accelerate students’ progress by ensuring teachers use assessment data effectively for personalized learning, providing professional development on differentiation strategies, strengthening questioning techniques, and establishing consistent classroom routines.
- •Strengthen the school’s self-evaluation and improvement planning processes to raise students’ attainment by aligning SEF/SIP with the UAE Inspection Framework, using assessment data for subject-specific targets, enhancing leaders’ evaluations, and providing regular training for leaders and newly appointed teachers.
- •Enhance students’ readiness and performance in international assessments (TIMSS, PISA, PIRLS) by using trend analysis to identify learning gaps, aligning curriculum and teaching strategies with cognitive demands, providing professional development on higher-order thinking, and embedding regular benchmarking tasks.