Al Salam Community School
Executive Summary
Al Salam Community School L.L.C has maintained an overall rating of Good for the 2023-2024 academic year. The school has demonstrated improvements since the previous inspection, particularly in leadership and secondary outcomes, although some decline was noted in primary years.
Students' achievement is strongest in Secondary and Post-16, with notable improvements in English and mathematics. The curriculum, based on the National Curriculum for England, is well-designed, broad, balanced, and effectively prepares students for post-secondary education.
The school provides Very Good protection, care, guidance, and support for students, ensuring a safe and well-maintained environment. Leaders have a good understanding of the school's strengths and areas for improvement, with a commitment to continuous development despite recent staffing changes.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Al Salam Community School L.L.C Overall Rating
Good for 3+ consecutive years
Dubai Focus Areas
These three pillars represent the Dubai education authority's priorities: ensuring inclusive practices, prioritizing student wellbeing, and meeting UAE National Agenda targets.
The school fosters an inclusive ethos with sufficient facilities and resources, led by a recently appointed head of inclusion. Formal and informal assessments identify student needs, and individual educational plans (IEPs) are in place for significant needs, with advanced learning plans (ALPs) for gifted and talented students. Parental engagement is strong, and students of determination generally make good progress. individual educational plansadvanced learning plansstudents of determinationgifts and talents
Leaders and governors are developing a clear understanding of wellbeing as a national priority, with staff dedicated to promoting and implementing wellbeing policies. Student and parent surveys inform improvement planning, ensuring student voices are heard. Students are respectful and courteous, demonstrating a good understanding of wellbeing, though curriculum planning for wellbeing is noted as underdeveloped. wellbeing policiesstudent voicescounsellorsresilience
The school has achieved good standards in the National Agenda Parameter. Students' collective performance in PIRLS assessments is strong, exceeding targets. GL assessments show improvement in English and science, with sustained acceptable attainment in mathematics. Leaders effectively use data to address skill gaps and differentiate activities, though Emirati students' performance in lower year groups needs improvement. PIRLS assessmentsGL assessmentsEnglishscienceEmirati students
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Progress in English & Science
Students demonstrate good progress in English and science, reflecting effective teaching and learning strategies in these subjects.
Strong Personal Development
Students exhibit very strong personal and social development, including positive attitudes, respect for cultures, and active community involvement.
Quality Curriculum & Assessment
The curriculum is well-designed and balanced, meeting student needs, complemented by good quality assessments that inform learning.
Excellent Student Care
The school provides very good protection, care, guidance, and support, ensuring a safe, secure, and nurturing environment for all students.
Effective Leadership
Leadership is rated good overall, demonstrating a clear vision and commitment to school improvement, particularly in secondary outcomes.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Students' achievement is strongest in Secondary and Post-16, with improvements noted in English and mathematics since the previous inspection. In Primary and in subjects taught in Arabic, students' achievements are mostly acceptable. Students’ learning skills are good across all year groups.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
Senior leaders share a clear vision and collaborate effectively to achieve the school's immediate and strategic goals. They demonstrate a good understanding of best practices in curriculum planning, teaching, and assessment, with key tasks delegated to ensure accountability. The leadership team has successfully improved the school since the previous year, particularly in secondary outcomes, despite recent staffing changes.
Inspection Findings
Students' Outcomes
Students' achievement is strongest in Secondary and Post-16, with improvements noted in English and mathematics. While achievement in English, mathematics, and science is strong, subjects taught in Arabic and primary years are mostly acceptable. Students' learning skills are consistently good across all year groups.
Personal Development
Students' personal and social development is very strong across the school, characterized by positive attitudes, good behavior, and respect for UAE culture and Islamic values. They demonstrate healthy lifestyles and actively contribute to the school and local community.
Teaching Quality
The overall quality of teaching is good, with active learning experiences prevalent, especially in Secondary and Post-16. While assessment quality is generally good, it is uneven across subjects. Teaching in Arabic subjects, particularly in Primary, requires further improvement.
Protection & Care
The school provides very good protection and care for students, maintaining safe, secure, and well-maintained premises. Clear policies for child protection and safeguarding are in place, and students of determination receive good identification and support. Comprehensive guidance and support are offered to all students as they progress through the school.
Areas for Development
- •Improve the progress that students make so that it is good in all key subjects.
- •Improve the quality of teaching in the primary years so that most lessons are good.
- •Improve the quality and quantity of resources for teaching and learning of subjects taught in Arabic.
- •Improve Emirati students’ performances in the lower year groups.
- •Ensure that students with gifts and talents are properly supported.