Al Murooj Private School & Kindergarten - Sharjah - Al Azra
Executive Summary
Al Murooj Private English Kindergarten & School has maintained its overall effectiveness rating of Good, consistent with its previous review in 2023. The school has demonstrated notable improvements in students’ achievements, which have progressed from acceptable to good across nearly all subjects and phases. Furthermore, students' personal and social development has advanced to a Very Good overall standard.
The curriculum, based on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and the National Curriculum for England (NCfE), is well-designed, leading to good curriculum design. Teachers effectively plan lessons using learning activities from the NCfE, and the school's learning environments and facilities are well-maintained, supporting student learning. Key strengths include students' progress across all subjects, positive relationships and attitudes, and a secure appreciation of Islamic values and UAE culture.
Despite these strengths, areas for development persist, particularly in the quality of assessment, which remains Acceptable. Further improvements are needed in students’ reading and writing across both languages and in planning opportunities to develop innovation and enterprise skills. The capacity and accountability of senior and middle leaders also require strengthening to ensure sustained improvements at a faster pace.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Al Murooj Private School & Kindergarten - Sharjah - Al Azra Overall Rating
Good for 2+ consecutive years
SPEA Performance Standards
The performance standards used by SPEA to evaluate school quality across Sharjah.
Provision for students of determination and those who are gifted and talented remains acceptable. While specialist staff provide effective support for individual students with special educational needs, in-lesson support is less effective. Gifted and talented students are supported but not sufficiently challenged, and the curriculum is not adequately adapted to meet their diverse needs. Students of DeterminationGifted and TalentedCurriculum adaptation
Students' personal and social development is very good, characterized by positive and responsible attitudes, strong self-discipline, and respectful relationships with staff. The school effectively promotes safe and healthy living through campaigns and monitoring, with students generally making healthy choices. Student attendance is outstanding at 98%, though punctuality to morning assembly and first lessons requires improvement. Outstanding attendanceHealthy lifestylesPositive relationships
Students demonstrate a secure appreciation of UAE heritage and culture, participating in various activities to enhance their understanding of Islamic values and their impact on society. While external assessment results for Progress Tests are acceptable overall, and CAT4 results are mixed, the school needs to further develop students' innovation and enterprise skills and their ability to connect Islamic teachings to contemporary issues. UAE cultureIslamic valuesExternal Assessments
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Improved Student Achievement
Students' achievements have significantly improved from acceptable to good across almost all subjects and phases since the previous review.
Positive Student Development
Students' personal and social development has reached a very good standard, marked by positive relationships and attitudes.
Strong Cultural Appreciation
Students show a secure appreciation and understanding of Islamic values and the rich culture of the UAE.
Effective Safeguarding
The school demonstrates very good practices in ensuring the health, safety, and protection of students, alongside promoting healthy lifestyles.
Strong Parent Partnerships
The school maintains professional and effective partnerships with parents, contributing positively to the school community.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Students' achievement is good overall, with consistent progress observed across all subjects and phases. Internal data often indicates higher attainment and progress than observed in lessons, suggesting a need for alignment. External assessment results are mixed, with some subjects showing acceptable or good attainment.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
The leadership team, led by the principal, demonstrates a strong commitment to school improvement, setting a clear strategic direction. They foster courteous and professional relationships, promoting inclusion and UAE national priorities. While leadership has successfully improved the school's overall effectiveness, there is a need to build capacity and accountability among senior and middle leaders to secure sustained improvements at a faster pace.
Inspection Findings
Students' Outcomes
Students' achievement is good overall, showing improvement across most subjects and phases. Students demonstrate good progress in Islamic Education, Arabic, Social Studies, English, Mathematics, Science, and other subjects. Learning skills are good, with students engaging positively and collaborating effectively, though innovation and enterprise skills are still developing.
Personal Development
Students' personal and social development and innovation skills are very good overall. They exhibit positive and responsible attitudes, strong self-discipline, and respectful relationships. Understanding of Islamic values and Emirati culture is secure and deeply appreciated. Students actively participate in community service and environmental initiatives, but opportunities for independent initiative and innovation are underdeveloped.
Teaching Quality
The overall quality of teaching is good, with most teachers demonstrating strong subject knowledge and effective strategies to engage students. Teachers use questioning to reinforce understanding, but it does not always sufficiently challenge critical thinking or foster creativity. Differentiation is planned but not consistently implemented effectively, particularly for higher-attaining students or those with SEN.
Protection & Care
The protection, care, guidance, and support of students are very good overall. Safeguarding procedures are effective, staff are trained in child protection, and students feel safe. The school provides a safe and clean environment, promotes healthy living, and monitors student wellbeing. Relationships are warm and supportive, and student attendance is outstanding, though punctuality needs improvement.
Areas for Development
- •Improve the quality of teaching, learning, and assessment to the next level across all phases.
- •Enhance students’ reading and writing skills in both Arabic and English languages across all phases.
- •Increase the planning of opportunities to develop students’ innovation and enterprise skills.
- •Strengthen the capacity and accountability of senior and middle leaders to secure sustained improvements at pace.
- •Address students’ punctuality to morning assembly and their first lesson of the day across all phases.