Al Dhafra Private Schools - Muwaiji
Executive Summary
Al Dhafra Private Schools - Muwaiji has achieved an overall ADEK Irtiqa rating of Very Good for the 2024-2025 academic year, marking a significant improvement from its previous 'Good' rating. This commendation reflects the school's commitment to continuous enhancement across various performance standards, particularly in student achievement and leadership.
The school demonstrates strong academic progress, with notable improvements in Arabic-medium subjects (AMS) and overall positive trends in English-medium subjects (EMS). Students' learning skills have also seen enhancement, particularly in phases 1 and 3, fostering positive attitudes, engagement, and developing innovation and critical thinking abilities. Teaching quality has improved to Very Good in most phases, supported by a new performance management system and targeted professional development.
Leadership and management are rated Very Good, with a new principal driving improvements and effective self-evaluation processes. While health and safety remain Very Good, the school is recommended to further enhance support for gifted and talented students and provide in-school support services for students of determination. The curriculum, now rated Good, is designed to integrate UAE values, culture, and society, with ongoing efforts to enrich cross-curricular learning opportunities.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Al Dhafra Private Schools - Muwaiji Overall Rating
Very Good
ADEK Performance Standards
The six Irtiqa inspection standards used by ADEK to evaluate school performance across Abu Dhabi.
Students' achievement has significantly improved, particularly in Arabic-medium subjects where progress in Arabic as a First Language and Islamic Studies reached 'Very Good' levels across most phases. English-medium subjects also show overall improvement, with students demonstrating enhanced learning skills and a positive attitude towards learning. However, some areas, like mathematics and English in Phase 4, experienced regression in attainment. Arabic-medium subjectsEnglish-medium subjectsLearning Skills
Students' personal and social development, understanding of Islamic values, and innovation skills are rated 'Good'. Students exhibit positive attitudes, independence, and respectful behavior, with strong peer and staff relationships. They demonstrate a strong understanding of Islamic values, Emirati heritage, and cultural diversity, though opportunities for extended activities could further deepen this understanding. Islamic valuesEmirati heritagecultural diversityinnovation skills
Teaching quality has improved to 'Very Good' in phases 1, 2, and 4, with Phase 3 maintaining a 'Good' rating, largely due to a new performance management system and professional development. Assessment practices remain consistently 'Good' across all phases, with a rigorous system for collecting learner data that effectively informs teaching and enhances learning. performance management systemprofessional developmentlearner data
Curriculum design and adaptation are rated 'Good' across all phases. The curriculum integrates appropriate learning experiences to foster understanding of UAE values, culture, and society. However, there is room to enhance opportunities for cross-curricular learning and to tailor modifications more effectively to meet the diverse needs of all students, including high achievers and students of determination. UAE values, culture, and societycross-curricular learningcurriculum adaptation
Health and safety, including child protection, remain 'Very Good', providing a safe, secure, and supportive environment with robust safeguarding measures. However, the overall care, guidance, and support for students have regressed to 'Good', primarily due to insufficient support for gifted and talented students and the absence of in-school support services for students with additional learning needs. child protectionsafeguardinggifted and talented studentsstudents of determination
The quality of leadership and management is 'Very Good', with school leaders, guided by the new principal, demonstrating a strong commitment to improving academic and social outcomes. Self-evaluation processes are 'Good' and highly accurate, aligning well with inspection findings. Partnerships with parents and the impact of governors are 'Very Good', though resource provision, particularly digital resources, is an area of focus. new principalself-evaluation processesparent partnershipsgovernance
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Improved Student Achievement
Student attainment and progress in Arabic as a First Language, Arabic as a Second Language, and Islamic Education have significantly improved, with progress in AFL reaching 'Very Good' levels in phases 2 and 3.
Positive Student Attitudes
Students across all phases demonstrate positive attitudes towards learning, actively engaging and remaining focused on their education, fostering a conducive learning environment.
Strong Islamic Values
Students exhibit a strong understanding of Islamic values and their relevance to contemporary UAE society, actively contributing to their community through volunteering and social initiatives.
Enhanced Teaching Quality
Teaching is particularly strong in phases 1, 3, and 4, leading to improved student achievement and the development of their learning skills, supported by new performance management and professional development.
Robust Safeguarding
The school ensures student safety through rigorous safeguarding procedures, including a comprehensive child protection policy, maintaining a very good standard of health and safety.
Effective Leadership Vision
The senior leadership team effectively communicates its vision and goals, ensuring alignment across all stakeholders and fostering a shared commitment to continuous school improvement.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Overall achievement in Arabic-medium subjects has improved across phases, with some notable progress. English-medium subjects have demonstrated overall improvement, though some phases experienced regression in attainment while maintaining progress levels. Students' learning skills have improved or sustained previous levels across all phases.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
The leadership team, under a new principal, is highly effective and committed to continuous improvement, driving positive academic and social outcomes. They demonstrate strong self-evaluation capabilities and foster robust partnerships with parents and effective governance, while actively addressing resource enhancements.
Inspection Findings
Students' Achievement
Students demonstrate improved attainment and progress in Arabic-medium subjects, with strong performance in Islamic Education and Arabic as a First Language. English-medium subjects show overall improvement, though some attainment levels have varied. Students' learning skills have generally improved or been sustained, reflecting positive engagement and developing critical thinking.
Personal & Social Development
Students exhibit positive attitudes, independence, and respectful behavior, fostering strong relationships. They show a good understanding and appreciation of Islamic values, Emirati heritage, and cultural diversity, actively participating in community initiatives. Opportunities for extended activities could further enhance their grasp of these values and global awareness.
Teaching & Assessment
Teaching quality has improved significantly in most phases, attributed to a new performance management system and targeted professional development. Assessment practices are consistent and effective, with a rigorous system for collecting learner data that informs teaching and enhances learning outcomes across all phases.
Curriculum Design & Adaptation
The curriculum is well-designed and adapted to integrate appropriate learning experiences, enabling students to understand UAE values, culture, and society. However, there is a need to enhance cross-curricular learning opportunities and tailor curriculum modifications more effectively to meet the diverse needs of all students, including high achievers and students of determination.
Protection, Care & Support
The school maintains a very good standard of health and safety, including robust child protection and safeguarding measures, providing a secure and supportive environment. However, the overall care, guidance, and support for students have regressed, primarily due to insufficient provision for gifted and talented students and the absence of in-school support services for students with additional learning needs.
Areas for Development
- •Enhance students’ achievement, teaching, and assessment to become at least very good by using assessment data more effectively to inform lesson planning, ensuring planned activities challenge higher-attaining students and support lower-attaining students consistently, and incorporating more opportunities for critical thinking, problem-solving, and independent learning.
- •Engage students in greater ownership of their learning by integrating self and peer assessment into lesson plans, allowing students to engage in interdisciplinary, open-ended projects, fostering a culture of research and investigation, and increasing opportunities for experiential learning.
- •Ensure the curriculum is enriched and inclusive by integrating cross-curricular learning opportunities, tailoring curriculum modifications to meet the diverse needs of all students (including high achievers, gifted and talented, and students with additional learning needs), and incorporating UAE culture and heritage comprehensively.
- •Enhance the effective use of learning resources to improve student achievement by enhancing the availability of high-quality teaching and learning resources (including digital resources), providing hands-on resources and manipulatives, and reviewing teaching assistants' roles to ensure effective communication and support in Arabic lessons.
- •Strengthen students’ personal and social development by promoting punctuality, enhancing students’ awareness of healthy eating, fitness, and environmental sustainability, and fostering appreciation for cultural diversity.