Al Kamal American Private International School- branch Halwan
Executive Summary
The school’s overall effectiveness is Good, maintaining the same rating as the previous review. Led by an experienced principal and vice-principal, Al Kamal American Private International School Branch 2 demonstrates good achievements in core subjects. However, achievements in other subjects are at an acceptable level, with recent improvements noted in Arabic as a first language (AFL) in Elementary.
Students exhibit positive attitudes towards learning, and the school maintains good procedures for safeguarding and protection. Learning environments and facilities are well-maintained, supporting student learning effectively. The school benefits from a strong whole-school approach to strategic planning, with committed support from both the governing body and parents.
Despite these strengths, the school faces ongoing challenges in recruiting and retaining experienced teachers, which impacts teacher turnover. Leaders are focused on key priorities, but further efforts are needed to improve students' academic growth in English, mathematics, and science, as indicated by external MAP assessments.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Al Kamal American Private International School- branch Halwan Overall Rating
Good for 2+ consecutive years
SPEA Performance Standards
The performance standards used by SPEA to evaluate school quality across Sharjah.
The school identifies students of determination and provides them with individual education plans (IEPs). However, the consistent implementation of these plans to meet specific learning needs is inconsistent. The level of challenge for higher attainers and support for students with special educational needs in lessons requires further improvement. students of determinationindividual education plans (IEPs)
Students demonstrate exemplary behavior, mature and responsible attitudes, and self-discipline across the school. Relationships between students and staff are mutually respectful, fostering a supportive environment. Students also show a good understanding of safe and healthy living, making healthy choices and participating enthusiastically in related activities. exemplary behaviormutually respectful relationshipssafe and healthy living
The school's progress towards National Agenda targets is acceptable, with students' attainment in MAP tests for English, mathematics, and science rated as acceptable overall. In contrast, attainment in TALA and IBT assessments for Arabic is outstanding, demonstrating strong performance in Arabic language skills. National Agenda targetsMAP testsTALA and IBT assessments
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Core Subject Achievement
Students demonstrate good academic achievement in core subjects across all phases, reflecting effective teaching and learning strategies.
Arabic AFL Progress
There is very good achievement and recent improvements in Arabic as a first language (AFL) in the Elementary phase, indicating strong language development.
Science Innovation Skills
Students exhibit strong innovation skills, particularly in science within the High phase, fostering creativity and practical application.
Cultural Understanding
Students show a deep understanding of Islamic values and Emirati culture, enhanced by specialist learning environments like the Heritage Room in KG.
Student Care & Support
The school provides very good care, guidance, and support for all students, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Students' achievement is good overall, with strong performance in core subjects. While there are recent improvements in Arabic as a first language in Elementary, external MAP assessment results in English, mathematics, and science have not yet shown significant academic growth. Achievement in other subjects remains at an acceptable level in KG, Elementary, and Middle, but is good in High.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
The school's leadership, comprising an experienced principal and vice-principal, has fostered a strong whole-school approach to strategic planning. They effectively utilize assessment data for progress tracking and maintain very good partnerships with parents and the community. While committed to improvement, leaders need to enhance monitoring of teaching quality and address challenges in teacher retention and turnover.
Inspection Findings
Students' Outcomes
Students' achievement is good overall, with strong performance in core subjects across all phases. There are recent improvements in Arabic as a first language in Elementary. However, external MAP assessment results in English, mathematics, and science have not yet shown significant academic growth, and achievement in other subjects remains at an acceptable level.
Personal Development
Students demonstrate very good personal and social development, characterized by exemplary behavior, positive work ethic, and responsible attitudes towards learning. They show a secure understanding of Islamic values and Emirati culture, actively participating in socially responsible activities and making positive contributions to the school and wider community.
Teaching Quality
The quality of teaching and assessment is good overall, with most teachers demonstrating secure subject knowledge and planning differentiated tasks. While questioning is generally effective, inconsistencies exist in promoting critical thinking and providing sufficient challenge for higher attainers. Opportunities for independent work, enterprise, and innovation skills in lessons require further development.
Protection & Care
The protection, care, guidance, and support of students are rated as very good overall. The school has effective safeguarding procedures, including child protection and cyber safety policies, which are well-understood by staff, students, and parents. Medical provision is good, and facilities are well-maintained, contributing to a safe and conducive learning environment.
Areas for Development
- •Further improve students' achievement in other subjects including art, music, PE and ICT in KG, Elementary and Middle.
- •Further improve students' critical thinking skills and understanding of entrepreneurship in all phases.
- •Further improve teachers' use of assessment data to plan lessons to meet the needs of different groups of students.
- •Further improve the level of challenge for higher attainers and the support in lessons for students with special educational needs (SEN) to meet their individual additional learning needs.
- •Further improve the school’s processes to ensure internal assessment data is an accurate measure of students' knowledge and skills in all subjects.
- •Further improve leaders' skills in monitoring students' progress in lessons when evaluating the quality of teaching.
- •Further improve the processes to improve and sustain higher levels of students’ attendance.
- •Further improve leaders' actions to raise teachers’ retention levels and reduce teachers’ turnover.