Al Shola Private School - branch Industrial Area 13
Executive Summary
Al Shola Private School - Branch Industrial Area 13 is a Ministry of Education curriculum school located in Sharjah's Industrial Area 13, established in 2004. The school serves 1,366 male students across Cycles 2 and 3 (Grades 5-12), with instruction delivered in Arabic. The school's overall effectiveness is rated Good, a rating it has maintained since its previous inspection in 2022-2023, reflecting sustained performance across all six standards.
The quality of students' achievements is Good overall, with notable improvements in Islamic Education and Social Studies in Cycle 3, which have risen to Very Good. English language attainment in Cycle 2 remains Acceptable, and Arabic (First Language) attainment in Cycle 2 also remains Acceptable, representing key areas for development. Personal and social development is rated Very Good overall, with students demonstrating strong understanding of Islamic values and UAE culture. The quality of teaching, curriculum, and student protection and care are all rated Good.
Leadership, governance, and school management are all rated Good, with partnerships between the school and parents and community having improved to Very Good. The inspection team of 6 reviewers observed 147 lessons, 96 of which were conducted jointly with school leaders. Key areas for development include improving English and Arabic attainment in Cycle 2, making more effective use of assessment data to inform teaching, and adapting the curriculum more effectively to meet the needs of all student groups.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Al Shola Private School - branch Industrial Area 13 Overall Rating
Good for 2+ consecutive years
SPEA Performance Standards
The performance standards used by SPEA to evaluate school quality across Sharjah.
The school has 28 students of determination. Curriculum adaptation focuses more on lower-attaining students than on students of determination, gifted, and talented learners. Individual learning plans exist to support students, though differentiation strategies are not consistently applied across all classrooms to fully meet the needs of all student groups. Students of DeterminationIndividual Learning PlansDifferentiation
Students' personal and social development is rated Very Good overall, with students demonstrating positive and responsible attitudes toward learning. Attendance is Very Good at 96%, though a notable number of students arrive late. The school promotes healthy lifestyles through PE programmes and awareness campaigns, and provides support for students at risk of obesity. Positive Attitudes96% AttendanceHealthy Lifestyles
Students across both cycles demonstrate a Very Good understanding of Islamic values and their influence on life in the UAE. They actively participate in national occasions such as Flag Day, Martyr's Day, and National Day, and show deep appreciation for UAE heritage and culture. Students also demonstrate awareness of global cultures and the UAE's transformation from a pearl-diving economy to a global power. Islamic ValuesUAE CultureNational IdentityIBTTIMSS
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Improved Subject Outcomes
Student achievement in Islamic Education and Social Studies in Cycle 3 has improved to Very Good since the previous inspection, demonstrating meaningful academic progress.
Strong Cultural Awareness
Students in both cycles demonstrate a Very Good understanding of Islamic values and strong awareness of UAE traditions, culture, and world cultures.
Effective Parent Partnerships
Partnerships between the school, parents, and the wider community have improved to Very Good, reflecting stronger engagement and collaboration.
Good Student Protection
Safeguarding and child protection procedures are effective, with all staff, students, and parents demonstrating full understanding of child protection policies and procedures.
Innovation & STEAM Projects
Students participate in innovation fund-supported STEAM projects, designing prototypes such as air toxin-detecting gloves and water purification systems, demonstrating growing innovation skills.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Overall student achievement is Good. The most significant improvements since the 2022-2023 inspection are in Islamic Education and Social Studies in Cycle 3. English language remains an area requiring focused development, particularly in Cycle 2.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
School leadership under Principal Mohammed Al-Qasim is focused on continuous improvement and maintaining the Good standard achieved since the previous inspection. Leaders work collaboratively with the Board of Trustees and parents to enhance educational quality. While teaching quality and assessment use are Good, leadership continues to work on ensuring differentiation strategies are more consistently applied to meet the needs of all student groups, including students of determination and gifted learners.
Inspection Findings
Students' Outcomes
Overall student achievement is Good, with improvements in Islamic Education and Social Studies in Cycle 3 reaching Very Good. English and Arabic (First Language) attainment in Cycle 2 remain at Acceptable level. External IBT assessment results in Mathematics and Science are below internal assessment data, indicating a need for better alignment between internal and external measures. Most student groups achieve progress in line with or above expectations.
Personal Development
Personal and social development is rated Very Good overall. Students demonstrate positive attitudes, strong Islamic values, and deep appreciation for UAE culture and heritage. They participate actively in national events and community service activities through the Al Shola Charitable Convoy. Social responsibility and innovation skills are Good, with students involved in STEAM projects and sustainability initiatives including beekeeping and beach clean-ups.
Teaching Quality
Teaching and assessment quality is Good overall. Teachers apply their subject knowledge consistently and plan purposeful lessons, particularly in Social Studies where varied activities engage students effectively. Differentiation strategies are in development across both cycles, and critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation skills are promoted inconsistently. Assessment systems are coherent but internal data sometimes overstates student performance relative to observed lesson outcomes.
Protection & Care
Student protection, care, and support are Good. Safeguarding procedures are effective, with all staff, students, and parents demonstrating full understanding of child protection policies. The school provides a safe environment with effective supervision during arrival, break times, and departure. The school promotes healthy lifestyles through nurse and doctor monitoring, PE programmes, and anti-obesity support. Attendance is Very Good at 96%, though punctuality requires attention.
Areas for Development
- •Improve the quality of student achievement in English language for Cycle 2 students.
- •Improve the level of attainment in Arabic (First Language) for Cycle 2 students.
- •Make effective use of assessment data to influence teaching and ensure the needs and aspirations of all students are consistently met.
- •Effectively adapt the curriculum to meet the needs of all student groups, including students of determination, gifted, and talented learners.