Al Mahnal International Private School
Executive Summary
The latest ADEK Irtiqa inspection for the AY 2025/26 has rated Al Manhal International Private School as Acceptable. This reflects a regression in overall performance from the previous inspection in 2022, which was rated Good. The decline is primarily attributed to reduced leadership effectiveness and a decrease in the quality of teaching and learning across the school.
Students' achievement in most core subjects, including Islamic Education, Arabic as a First Language, UAE Social Studies, English, and Science, has regressed from Good to Acceptable across KG and all cycles. Mathematics also declined in KG, Cycle 1, and Cycle 2, though it sustained a Good level in Cycle 3. Notably, Grade 12 students consistently achieve Outstanding results in national MoE external examinations across all subjects, indicating a strong performance at the exit level.
While personal development is rated Good across all cycles, other aspects such as understanding of Islamic values, awareness of Emirati and world cultures, social responsibility, and innovation skills are Acceptable. Teaching and assessment practices, curriculum design and adaptation, and protection, care, guidance, and support for students have also declined to Acceptable. Leadership and management, despite maintaining Good partnerships with parents, have regressed to Acceptable in most other indicators, including effectiveness of leadership and self-evaluation.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Al Manhal International Private School Overall Rating
Acceptable
ADEK Performance Standards
The six Irtiqa inspection standards used by ADEK to evaluate school performance across Abu Dhabi.
Students' attainment and progress have largely regressed to Acceptable across most subjects and cycles, with specific declines noted in Islamic Education, Arabic, UAE Social Studies, English, and Science. Mathematics also saw a decline in KG, Cycle 1, and Cycle 2, though it maintained a Good rating in Cycle 3. Grade 12 students consistently achieve Outstanding results in national MoE examinations. Islamic EducationArabicUAE Social StudiesEnglishScienceMathematicsGrade 12 MoE examinations
Personal development is rated Good across all cycles, supported by high attendance and positive relationships. However, students' understanding of Islamic values, awareness of Emirati and world cultures, and social responsibility and innovation skills are Acceptable, with limited initiative and creativity observed. Personal DevelopmentIslamic valuesEmirati cultureSocial responsibilityInnovation skills
Teaching for effective learning and assessment practices have both declined to Acceptable. Lessons often rely on teacher talk, with inconsistent differentiation, active learning, and use of technology. Assessment practices are developing but lack sufficient challenge and effective use of formative strategies. Teaching for effective learningAssessment practicesDifferentiationFormative strategies
Curriculum design and implementation, along with curriculum adaptation, are rated Acceptable. While aligned with MoE requirements, curriculum pathways in Cycle 3 are restricted, and modifications are insufficient to cater to diverse learning needs. Enrichment opportunities and links to UAE context are not fully integrated. Curriculum designCurriculum adaptationMoE requirementsEnrichment opportunities
Protection, care, guidance, and support for students have declined to Acceptable. The school provides a safe environment, but gaps exist in risk management, irregular fire drills, and dismissal procedures. Support for students of determination is in place but lacks consistent review and monitoring. Health and safetyRisk managementDismissal proceduresStudents of determination
Leadership and management have regressed to Acceptable in most areas, including effectiveness of leadership, self-evaluation, governance, and resources, despite maintaining Good partnerships with parents. Senior leaders set a vision, but middle leaders' opportunities for monitoring teaching are limited, and self-evaluation lacks rigor. Effectiveness of leadershipSelf-evaluationGovernanceParents and the communityMiddle leaders
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Outstanding Grade 12 Results
Students in Grade 12 consistently achieve Outstanding results across all subjects in the national MoE external examinations.
Good Mathematics in Cycle 3
Students in Cycle 3 consistently achieve Good levels of attainment and progress in mathematics, sustaining its previous level.
High Attendance Rates
Attendance rates are high across all cycles, supported by effective monitoring systems and regular communication with parents.
MoE Curriculum Compliance
The curriculum is fully compliant with MoE requirements, ensuring appropriate time allocations and subject coverage.
Clear Behavior Management
The school has clear systems for managing behavior, which promote respect, discipline, and a positive atmosphere throughout the school.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Overall, students' achievement has regressed across most subjects and cycles, with the exception of Mathematics in Cycle 3 and the consistently Outstanding performance of Grade 12 students in national examinations.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
Senior leaders articulate a vision aligned with national priorities, but the impact of leadership is limited by insufficient opportunities for middle leaders to drive improvement. Self-evaluation processes require greater rigor and a more analytical approach to planning for improvement.
Inspection Findings
Students' Achievement
Students' attainment and progress in Islamic Education, Arabic, UAE Social Studies, English, and Science have regressed to Acceptable across most cycles. Mathematics also declined in KG, Cycle 1, and Cycle 2, though Cycle 3 maintained a Good rating. Grade 12 students consistently achieve Outstanding results in national MoE examinations.
Personal & Social Development
Personal development is Good, characterized by strong attendance and positive relationships. However, understanding of Islamic values, awareness of Emirati and world cultures, and social responsibility and innovation skills are Acceptable, with limited student initiative and creativity.
Teaching & Assessment
Teaching for effective learning and assessment practices are Acceptable. Lessons often rely on teacher-led instruction with inconsistent differentiation and use of technology. Assessment practices are still developing in providing challenge and effectively using formative strategies.
Curriculum Design & Adaptation
Curriculum design and adaptation are Acceptable. The curriculum aligns with MoE requirements but offers restricted pathways in Cycle 3 and insufficient modifications for diverse learners. Enrichment opportunities and links to Emirati culture are not fully integrated.
Protection, Care & Support
Protection, care, guidance, and support are Acceptable. While a safe environment is provided, risk management, fire drill regularity, and dismissal procedures need strengthening. Support for students of determination is in place but lacks consistent review and monitoring.
Areas for Development
- •Raise attainment and accelerate progress across the core curriculum subjects by strengthening the accuracy and use of assessment data, improving speaking and listening proficiency, enhancing mathematical reasoning, and increasing focus on scientific inquiry.
- •Improve strategies and provision for effective teaching, assessment, and curriculum by diversifying teaching strategies, ensuring consistent differentiation, strengthening assessment-for-learning practices, and equipping staff to use technology effectively.
- •Enhance students’ readiness for and attainment on international assessments by developing a coherent whole-school strategy for TIMSS, PISA, and PIRLS preparation, providing targeted professional development for teachers, and integrating assessment-style tasks consistently.
- •Review the health and safety arrangements for the school by revising dismissal procedures, ensuring regular fire drills, and thorough risk assessment with effective mitigation.
- •Improve the impact of school leadership by enhancing performance management and accountability systems, strengthening self-evaluation and improvement planning, building leadership capacity, and enhancing the quality of instructional resources.