Mamoura British Academy, Abu Dhabi

Mamoura British Academy follows the National Curriculum for England from Foundation Stage through to Year 13, with Edexcel as the examination board for IGCSE and International A-Level qualifications. The curriculum pathway is clearly structured: EYFS in Foundation Stage, the National Curriculum in Years 1-9, then a two-year IGCSE programme (Years 10-11) offering 16 optional subjects alongside compulsory English, Mathematics, and Science, followed by International A-Levels across 18 subjects in Years 12-13. Students in Years 12-13 may also undertake the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), worth half an A-Level grade in UCAS points, which is a meaningful differentiator for UK university applicants. The school's first IGCSE cohort in 2019 produced a 97% pass rate, with 75% of students achieving five grades at 9-5 (A*-B) and 33% achieving 9-7 (A*/A) - results that significantly outperformed UK national averages at the time. In GCSE results, 98.9% of students achieved grade 4+ versus the UK national average of 76%, and 20.4% achieved grade 9 against a national average of 6.3%. The school's GL Progress Test data for 2023/24 is also strong: science attainment is Outstanding across both Phase 2 and Phase 3, and mathematics attainment is Outstanding in Phase 3. English attainment in Years 4 and 9 is Outstanding. However, international benchmark performance requires honest scrutiny: PISA 2022 reading literacy scored 480 (above international average but below the school's own target of 501.3), while TIMSS 2023 mathematics and science scores fell below both the international benchmark and the school's internal targets. These gaps are acknowledged by leadership, with curriculum adjustments already underway - including bringing forward statistics teaching to align with TIMSS requirements. The school's pedagogical approach blends structured National Curriculum delivery with an inquiry-based industry partnership model and, from Year 5 onwards, specialist subject teaching. Linked Provision and Exploration Time in Phase 1 has been specifically credited by ADEK inspectors with improving learning quality in the younger years. The ADEK Irtiqa 2025 report notes that teaching and assessment are now rated Very Good across all phases, a significant improvement from the 2022 inspection. SEN provision serves 33 students of determination, though ADEK inspectors note that support for low-attaining students and differentiation for gifted and talented students requires further development - a genuine area of concern for parents of children at either end of the ability spectrum. University destinations for the Class of 2024 include Abu Dhabi University, the American University in Dubai, American University in Sharjah, Khalifa University, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, and Zayed University.