Al Najma Private School- Sharjah - Al Azra
SPEA Inspection Report & Ratings
Last updated
Executive Summary
Al Najma Private School LLC has achieved an overall effectiveness rating of Good, marking an improvement since its previous review. Despite experiencing relatively high staff turnover, the school has successfully addressed prior weaknesses, leading to good overall student achievement, though attainment remains mostly Acceptable.
Teaching and learning are rated Good, supported by effective assessment practices that ensure work is appropriately leveled. Leadership and management have also improved to Good, with current leaders demonstrating a realistic understanding of the school's strengths and areas for development. Students' personal and social development, as well as the curriculum, are both rated Good.
Arrangements for student protection, care, and guidance are Good. While the learning environment and resources, particularly in English and science, are noted as limited, the school benefits from Very Good governance and a strong partnership with parents, who are actively involved as volunteers in Phase 1.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Al Najma Private School- Sharjah - Al Azra Overall Rating
Good
SPEA Performance Standards
The performance standards used by SPEA to evaluate school quality across Sharjah.
The school provides generally appropriate support for students with Special Educational Needs (SEN), who make expected progress. However, the identification and support for academically gifted and talented (G&T) students require further development to ensure they reach their full potential. Special Educational Needsgifted and talented
Students' personal and social development is good, with effective promotion of safe and healthy lifestyles. Students actively participate in activities that foster wellbeing, and incidents of high Body Mass Index are low, indicating a positive environment for student health. safe and healthy lifestyleslow Body Mass Index
The school uses international benchmark tests like TIMSS, PIRLS, CAT4, and PT tests to monitor attainment. While some internal data suggests higher attainment, external test outcomes for most subjects indicate attainment is generally in line with curriculum standards, leading to an overall acceptable rating. TIMSSPIRLSCAT4PT tests
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Improved Student Achievement
Students across the school have shown improved achievement, reflecting the school's progress in addressing previous weaknesses.
Student Safety & Wellbeing
The school has very good arrangements for ensuring children's safety and effectively promotes safe and healthy lifestyles among students.
Social Responsibility
Students demonstrate a strong sense of social responsibility and environmental awareness, actively participating in community and sustainability projects.
Effective Leadership
The senior leadership team shows strong commitment and has a positive impact on the school's direction and improvement journey.
Parent Partnership
The school maintains a very good partnership with parents, who are embraced as active partners and volunteers, particularly in Phase 1.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Students' achievement has improved across the school, with good progress observed in most subjects and phases. However, attainment in several subjects remains acceptable, and there is a need to deepen critical thinking and analytical skills, particularly in English, Arabic, and Social Studies.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
The leadership team at Al Najma Private School LLC is committed and impactful, driving significant improvements since the last review. They maintain a realistic perspective on the school's performance, fostering strong partnerships with parents and benefiting from very good governance, which collectively supports the school's continuous improvement journey.
Inspection Findings
Students' Outcomes
Students' achievement is good overall, showing improvement since the previous review. While progress is generally good across phases and subjects, attainment in many areas remains acceptable, with science being a notable strength. Students demonstrate good learning skills and positive attitudes.
Personal Development
Students' personal and social development and innovation skills are good. They exhibit good behavior, respect, and self-discipline, with strong participation in promoting healthy lifestyles and social responsibility. Students also show a clear appreciation for Islamic values and Emirati culture.
Teaching Quality
The quality of teaching and assessment is good. Most teachers possess secure subject knowledge and plan thoroughly. While questioning techniques vary, effective assessment practices, including external benchmarking, are used to monitor progress and inform planning, though consistent differentiation for all learners needs further development.
Protection & Care
Arrangements for the protection, care, guidance, and support of students are good. The school ensures children's safety effectively and promotes healthy lifestyles. Relationships between students and staff are positive, and there is a strong commitment to student voice and support.
Areas for Development
- •Raise students’ attainment so that it is at least good overall.
- •Further develop the Phase 1 curriculum.
- •More rigorously identify students who are gifted and talented (G&T) academically.
- •Give greater priority to the development of students’ creativity.
- •Improve the organisation and management of the learning environment.
- •Improve levels of resourcing, particularly in English and science.