Al Tharawat National Private School

Curriculum
Ministry of Education
ADEK
Acceptable
Location
Abu Dhabi, Bani Yas
Fees
AED 10K - 12K

Al Tharawat National Private School

The Executive Summary

Al Tharawat National Private School Abu Dhabi is a co-educational MoE (UAE) curriculum school serving KG1 through Grade 12 in the Bani Yas district of Abu Dhabi. With school fees Abu Dhabi parents will find among the most accessible in the emirate - ranging from AED 10,100 to AED 12,200 annually - it positions itself as an affordable community school for families in one of Abu Dhabi's rapidly growing residential areas. The school carries an ADEK rating Acceptable following its 2024 Irtiqa inspection, a downgrade from its previous Good rating in 2022, and that trajectory demands honest scrutiny. With 1,713 students on roll and 98 teachers, Al Tharawat serves a predominantly Arab expatriate community - primarily Sudanese, Yemeni, and Syrian nationalities - and operates under the MoE (UAE) curriculum Abu Dhabi framework. Among Bani Yas schools, it is one of the larger MoE-curriculum providers, but size has not translated into consistent academic quality across all cycles. The school's clearest strengths lie in its Islamic education, UAE social studies, and Arabic language performance in the upper cycles, where attainment and progress remain at Good levels. Its safeguarding and child protection procedures are also rated Good - a genuine positive in a school serving a large, diverse student body. However, the regression across English, mathematics, and science in KG through Cycle 2 is a serious concern, compounded by weaknesses in teaching quality, assessment reliability, and leadership effectiveness. A new leadership team is in place and committed to improvement, but inspectors noted their impact is not yet evident. For families seeking an affordable Arabic-medium MoE school in Bani Yas with strong Islamic and cultural grounding, Al Tharawat is a viable option - but parents with high aspirations in STEM or English-medium outcomes should weigh the current Acceptable rating carefully before enrolling.
MoE UAE CurriculumADEK Acceptable 2024AED 10,100 Entry Fees1,713 Students EnrolledBani Yas Community School

The school has a warm community feel and the teachers genuinely care about the students. My children feel safe and respected here, and the Islamic values education is strong. But I do wish the English and maths teaching was more rigorous.

Cycle 2 Parent(representative)

Academic Framework & Learning Style

Al Tharawat National Private School follows the Ministry of Education (MoE) UAE curriculum across all grade levels from KG1 through Grade 12, operating across three cycles and a kindergarten stage in line with the national framework. The curriculum covers the full suite of MoE subjects: Islamic Education, Arabic as a first language, UAE Social Studies, English, Mathematics, and Science, alongside physical education and arts. The school's stated vision - to build balanced personalities capable of facing future challenges - aligns with the MoE's broader national education goals, though inspectors found that curriculum implementation currently places greater emphasis on knowledge acquisition than on skill development, a gap that is particularly evident in the lower cycles. Academic results paint a mixed picture. In Islamic Education, attainment and progress are rated Good across all four stages (KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, Cycle 3), with internal data indicating that most students in KG attain in line with curriculum standards and most students in Cycles 1, 2, and 3 attain above standards. UAE Social Studies similarly holds Good ratings across all cycles, with the majority of students in KG and most students in Cycles 1, 2, and 3 demonstrating knowledge above curriculum standards. Arabic as a first language is rated Good in KG, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3, though it dips to Acceptable in Cycle 1 - a concern given that Arabic literacy is a core strength the school markets. The more challenging picture emerges in English, Mathematics, and Science. In all three subjects, attainment and progress are rated Acceptable in KG, Cycle 1, and Cycle 2, recovering only to Good in Cycle 3. PISA 2022 results for 15-year-old students were below international averages across all three domains: a reading literacy score of 355 against an international average of 476, mathematics literacy at 391 against 472, and science literacy at 401 against 485. TIMSS 2023 results for Grade 4 and Grade 8 students similarly fell below intermediate international benchmarks in both mathematics and science. In the ACER IBT standardized assessments, less than three-quarters of students in Cycles 1 and 2 attained in line with curriculum standards in Arabic and mathematics, and only a few students in Cycle 3 met the mathematics standard - a particularly concerning data point. Teaching methodology across the school is predominantly teacher-directed and knowledge-focused, with inspectors noting limited use of inquiry-based learning, play-based approaches in KG, or differentiated instruction to meet the diverse needs of the student body. There are 6 students of determination enrolled, and the ADEK report is explicit that identification of and support for students with additional learning needs - including both students of determination and gifted and talented students - is insufficient. The school has launched an electronic library aligned with the curriculum, enabling students across all grades to access books online, and participates in reading initiatives including a Reading Club, Short Story Day, and the 'I Gifted You a Book' programme. However, there is no systematic reading progression plan across subjects, and assessment systems do not specifically track students' reading progress. University placement data is not publicly available, which is consistent with the school's community-focused rather than university-pathway positioning.
355
PISA 2022 Reading Score
Below international average of 476
391
PISA 2022 Maths Score
Below international average of 472
454
TIMSS 2023 Grade 4 Maths
Below intermediate international benchmark
378
TIMSS 2023 Grade 8 Science
Below intermediate international benchmark

Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)

Extracurricular provision at Al Tharawat National Private School is an area the school acknowledges is still developing. The school's own website references diverse activities as one of its four headline offerings, and the ADEK Irtiqa report confirms that activities and clubs exist - but inspectors explicitly recommended that the school expand the range and quality of extracurricular activities to enrich students' learning experiences and develop innovation, enterprise, and life skills. This is a candid signal that current provision falls short of what the school's size and student body merit. The most concretely documented extracurricular programme is centred on literacy and reading. The school runs a Reading Club where students read and review books, and students from Cycles 1 to 3 volunteer as 'library friends' to assist the librarian and promote reading among peers. The library hosts interactive events including Short Story Day, Reading Hour, and the 'I Gifted You a Book' initiative. Parents are engaged through the 'Your Parents and I Read' programme, which promotes family involvement in literacy. Notably, the school has achieved national recognition in Arabic literacy, including winning the Sweet Recitation Competition, and runs the Best Reader competition and Reading Challenge to promote Arabic reading engagement. Beyond literacy, the school's website lists activities as a key pillar, but the activities programme page was under development at the time of this review, with content described as forthcoming. The ADEK report notes that students' social responsibility and innovation skills are rated only Acceptable across all cycles, and that students rarely lead projects or develop enterprise skills - a reflection of the limited structured ECA provision. Physical activity access is also flagged as limited, with inspectors noting that students' access to all school facilities and engagement in physical activities throughout the year are restricted. For a school of 1,713 students, this is a gap that parents should factor into their decision-making, particularly if their children are active or sport-oriented.
1,713
Students Enrolled
Large community school with developing ECA programme
Reading ClubSweet Recitation WinnerLibrary Friends ProgrammeShort Story DayI Gifted You a Book

Pastoral Care & Well-being

Pastoral care is one of the more reassuring aspects of Al Tharawat National Private School's profile. The ADEK Irtiqa 2024 inspection rates health and safety, including child protection and safeguarding, as Good across all four stages - KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3. This is a meaningful finding: safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures are described as effective, and students are reported to feel safe and protected within the school environment. For a school serving a large, predominantly Arab expatriate community with diverse family backgrounds, this consistency in safeguarding is a genuine strength. Care and support is also rated Good across all cycles, though this represents a regression from the Very Good rating the school held in its 2022 inspection. The downgrade reflects specific concerns raised by inspectors: students' access to all school facilities is limited, and their engagement in physical activities throughout the year is restricted. These are not minor quality-of-life issues - physical activity and access to varied spaces are integral to student well-being, particularly for younger learners in KG and Cycle 1. On the positive side, students' personal development is rated Good across all cycles, and students' understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures is consistently Good at every stage. Students are described as generally well-behaved and increasingly taking responsibility for their own learning. However, the ADEK report notes that students rarely lead projects or develop innovation and enterprise skills, pointing to a gap in student voice and leadership opportunities. There is no evidence of a formal house system or structured student council from available sources. The school's counselling and mental health support infrastructure is not detailed in public documentation, which is itself a transparency gap that parents should probe directly during admissions visits. The identification of and support for students with additional learning needs - including the 6 enrolled students of determination - is flagged as insufficient, which is a concern for families with children who may require differentiated pastoral or academic support.

The staff know the children by name and there is a genuine sense of community. My son feels comfortable and safe at school, and the Islamic values education gives us confidence as a family.

Cycle 1 Parent(representative)

Campus & Facilities

Al Tharawat National Private School is located at Bani Yas East 9, Abu Dhabi - a residential sub-district within the broader Bani Yas area, which has grown significantly as an affordable housing zone for Abu Dhabi's working and middle-class communities. The school's campus serves a student body of 1,713 across KG through Grade 12, making it a sizeable institution for its fee bracket. The school operates Monday to Friday, 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Detailed campus specifications - including total land area, number of classrooms, or specific facility inventories - are not publicly documented on the school's website, which was inaccessible at the time of this review. However, the ADEK Irtiqa report provides meaningful indirect evidence about facility quality. Inspectors explicitly flagged that students' access to all school facilities is limited and that engagement in physical activities throughout the year is restricted - a finding categorised under the Care and Support standard. This suggests that sports facilities, outdoor spaces, or physical education infrastructure may be inadequate for the school's enrolment size. The school does operate a single library that holds 800 English books, 600 Arabic books, and 400 guided reading books including Oxford Owl phonics resources. This library serves all cycles and hosts interactive events. The school has also launched an electronic library aligned with the MoE curriculum, enabling online reading access for students across all grades. Arabic and English teachers in Cycles 1 and 2 bring students to the library on a weekly basis, though KG students currently lack dedicated library reading sessions. The ADEK report also notes that the management of staffing, facilities, and resources is rated Acceptable - a downgrade from Good in 2022 - and that inspectors called for prompt action to address issues related to staffing, accessibility, and the appropriateness of school facilities and furniture. The reference to furniture appropriateness is a specific and telling detail: it suggests that some classroom environments may not be optimally configured for the age groups they serve. Technology infrastructure is flagged as insufficient, with inspectors noting the limited provision of digital technology as a contributing factor to declining teaching quality, particularly in KG and Cycle 1. The school's ADEK number is 9254, and it can be contacted at +971 54 383 7551 or via 9254@adek.gov.ae.
1,800+
Library Books (Arabic & English)
800 English, 600 Arabic, 400 guided reading titles
1,713
Students on Roll
Serving KG1 through Grade 12 on a single campus
Bani Yas East LocationLibrary with 1,800+ BooksElectronic Library AccessOxford Owl Phonics ResourcesMonday to Friday 7:30-14:30

Teaching & Learning Quality

Teaching quality is the most significant structural challenge facing Al Tharawat National Private School, and the ADEK Irtiqa 2024 report is unambiguous on this point. Teaching for effective learning is rated Acceptable in KG and Cycle 1, recovering to Good in Cycles 2 and 3 - a regression from the Good rating across all cycles in 2022. Assessment is rated Acceptable across all four stages, a uniform downgrade that reflects systemic rather than isolated weaknesses. The school employs 98 teachers and 2 teaching assistants for a student body of 1,713 - a ratio of approximately 1 teacher to every 17.5 students. Teaching staff are predominantly Egyptian, Syrian, and Sudanese nationals. Staff qualifications, percentage holding Masters or higher degrees, and teacher retention rates are not publicly disclosed, which limits the analysis that can be offered here. The ADEK report does, however, identify the root causes of declining teaching quality with specificity: teachers' limited understanding of effective teaching strategies, insufficient provision of subject-specific and age-appropriate resources including digital technology, and the absence of robust assessment procedures that produce accurate and reliable data. In practical terms, inspectors observed that lessons - particularly in KG and Cycle 1 - lack sufficient pace and challenge to maintain student focus and engagement. Questioning techniques do not consistently promote higher-order thinking or extended discussion. Differentiation for lower and higher attainers is inconsistent, and written and verbal feedback to students lacks the clarity and actionability needed to drive improvement. Play-based learning in KG, a cornerstone of effective early years pedagogy, is underutilised. In Cycles 2 and 3, the teaching picture is more positive. Good ratings in these cycles suggest that more experienced or better-supported teachers are working with older students, and that the structured MoE curriculum provides sufficient scaffolding for competent delivery. The school has provided professional development sessions for teachers, including targeted preparation for TIMSS and PISA assessments, but inspectors found no evidence of a detailed action plan for meeting international assessment targets, nor systematic teacher training specifically focused on reading pedagogy. The distributed leadership model - intended to empower middle leaders - is not yet functioning effectively, as roles and responsibilities at all management levels remain insufficiently defined.
98
Teachers on Staff
Plus 2 teaching assistants for 1,713 students
~1:17.5
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
Calculated from 98 teachers and 1,713 students
Acceptable
Assessment Rating (All Cycles)
Regressed from Good in 2022 across all stages

Leadership & Management

Al Tharawat National Private School is led by Principal Aly Mahmoud Abdelhamid Arafa, who heads a leadership team that ADEK inspectors describe as newly constituted and committed to improvement - but whose impact on school performance is not yet evident. This is a frank assessment from the regulator, and it frames the school's current trajectory honestly: change is underway, but outcomes have not yet followed. All six dimensions of Leadership and Management assessed by ADEK are rated Acceptable in the 2024 Irtiqa report: the effectiveness of leadership, school self-evaluation and improvement planning, partnerships with parents and the community, governance, and the management of staffing, facilities, and resources. This represents a regression from Good across all dimensions in the 2022 inspection. The school's distributed leadership model - in principle a sound approach for a school of this size - is not functioning as intended, with roles and responsibilities at all levels insufficiently defined and communicated. Self-evaluation is a particular weakness. The school's self-evaluation form is not consistently aligned with the UAE Inspection Framework, and the school development plan does not reliably reflect the priorities identified through inspection. Inspectors called for the school to broaden stakeholder involvement in self-evaluation and to use a wider range of reliable data sources to inform planning. The governing board's involvement in monitoring school performance is described as unclear, with its support and impact on overall school performance not evidenced. Communication with parents is managed through direct contact channels - the school provides a phone number (+971 54 383 7551), WhatsApp, and a Facebook page - but formal parental engagement in school life is rated Acceptable, with inspectors noting that parental involvement in school life and partnerships with national and international organisations are limited. The school does not appear to use a dedicated parent portal or app, which is a transparency gap relative to peer schools in Abu Dhabi's private sector. The school's ADEK email (9254@adek.gov.ae) serves as an official contact point. The new leadership team's commitment is acknowledged, and the school's stated mission - building bright futures for coming generations - provides a clear aspirational direction. The task now is translating that commitment into measurable improvement in student outcomes.

ADEK Inspection Results (Irtiqa - Decoded)

The ADEK Irtiqa 2024 inspection of Al Tharawat National Private School - conducted 12 to 15 May 2025 and covering the 2024/25 academic year - delivers an overall rating of Acceptable, a downgrade from the Good rating the school held following its previous inspection in 2022. This regression across almost every performance standard is the defining fact of this review, and parents considering the school should understand what it means in plain terms: the school was improving, then declined, and is now in recovery mode under new leadership. The inspection framework assesses six performance standards. PS1 (Students' Achievements) is rated Acceptable overall, with Good performance maintained in Islamic Education, UAE Social Studies, and Arabic (Cycles 2 and 3), but Acceptable ratings in English, Mathematics, and Science across KG, Cycle 1, and Cycle 2. PS2 (Personal and Social Development) shows a split: personal development and understanding of Islamic values and Emirati culture are both Good across all cycles, but social responsibility and innovation skills are Acceptable across all stages. PS3 (Teaching and Assessment) is rated Acceptable in assessment universally, and Acceptable in teaching for KG and Cycle 1, recovering to Good in Cycles 2 and 3. PS4 (Curriculum) - not assessed in 2022 - is rated Acceptable across all cycles for both design and adaptation. PS5 (Protection, Care, Guidance and Support) is the standout positive: health and safety including safeguarding, and care and support, are both rated Good across all four stages. PS6 (Leadership and Management) is uniformly Acceptable across all six sub-dimensions. The five key recommendations from inspectors are clear and prioritised: raise achievement in English, mathematics, and science; improve teaching quality and assessment reliability; strengthen curriculum implementation with a greater focus on skill development; improve international assessment performance (PISA, TIMSS, PIRLS); and improve the effectiveness of school leadership. The school has not previously held a rating below Good, making the 2024 Acceptable rating a significant moment that the new leadership team must address with urgency.
Strong Safeguarding & Child Protection
Health and safety including safeguarding is rated Good across all four stages - KG, Cycle 1, Cycle 2, and Cycle 3. Policies and procedures are effective and students report feeling safe and protected.
Islamic Education & Social Studies Performance
Attainment and progress in Islamic Education and UAE Social Studies are rated Good across all cycles, with internal data showing most students in Cycles 1, 2, and 3 attaining above curriculum standards.
Strong Personal Development & Cultural Awareness
Students' personal development and their understanding of Islamic values and Emirati and world cultures are rated Good across all cycles, reflecting the school's strong community and cultural identity.
Teaching Quality & Assessment Reliability

Teaching for effective learning is Acceptable in KG and Cycle 1 due to limited use of effective strategies, insufficient digital resources, and weak differentiation. Assessment is Acceptable across all cycles, with inspectors citing the absence of robust procedures producing accurate data to inform planning.

English, Mathematics & Science Achievement

Attainment and progress in English, Maths, and Science are Acceptable in KG, Cycle 1, and Cycle 2. PISA 2022 and TIMSS 2023 scores fall below international benchmarks across all domains, and the school lacks a detailed action plan for meeting its international assessment targets.

Inspection History

2022
Good
2024
Acceptable

Fees & Value for Money

Al Tharawat National Private School offers some of the most affordable school fees 2026 in Abu Dhabi's private sector, making it one of the most accessible MoE-curriculum options for families in the Bani Yas area. Tuition fees for the 2025-2026 academic year range from AED 10,100 at KG level to AED 12,200 for Grade 12 - a remarkably narrow band that reflects the school's community-oriented, non-premium positioning. For context, the average private school fee in Abu Dhabi spans a much wider range, and Al Tharawat sits firmly at the accessible end of the spectrum. Additional costs are transparent and modest. School bus transport is priced at AED 3,500 per year across all grade levels. Books range from AED 300 (KG1) to AED 715 (Grades 5 through 9), with no book fees listed for Grades 9 through 12 in the official ADEK TAMM fee schedule. Uniforms are a flat AED 400 per year across all grade levels. These additional costs are standardised and clearly published, which is a positive transparency indicator. No information is publicly available regarding sibling discounts, scholarships, bursaries, or instalment payment structures - parents should enquire directly with the school's admissions office. Given the school's community focus and fee bracket, it would be reasonable to expect some flexibility on payment terms, but this cannot be confirmed from available sources. On value for money, the assessment must be honest: at AED 10,100 to AED 12,200 per year, Al Tharawat is priced significantly below the Abu Dhabi private school average. However, value is not determined by price alone. With an ADEK Acceptable rating, declining performance trends in core subjects, and acknowledged gaps in facilities, teaching quality, and extracurricular provision, the school does not currently offer a compelling value proposition for families who have options. For families where affordability is the primary constraint and Arabic-medium MoE education is the priority, Al Tharawat remains one of the most financially accessible choices among Bani Yas schools - but the academic risk associated with the current Acceptable rating is real and should be factored into the decision.
AED 10,100
Lowest Annual Tuition (KG1-KG2)
AED 12,200
Highest Annual Tuition (Grade 12)
PhaseAnnual Fee
Kindergarten
10,100
Kindergarten
10,100
Primary (Cycle 1)
10,400
Primary (Cycle 1)
10,400
Primary (Cycle 1)
10,775
Primary (Cycle 1)
10,775
Primary (Cycle 2)
10,875
Primary (Cycle 2)
10,875
Secondary (Cycle 2)
11,075
Secondary (Cycle 2)
11,075
Secondary (Cycle 3)
11,075
Secondary (Cycle 3)
11,200
Secondary (Cycle 3)
11,200
Secondary (Cycle 3)
12,200

Additional Costs

School Bus Transport3,500(annual)
Books (KG1)300(annual)
Books (KG2)330(annual)
Books (Grades 1-2)550(annual)
Books (Grades 3-4)605(annual)
Books (Grades 4-8)715(annual)
Books (Grades 9-12)0(annual)
Uniform400(annual)

Discounts & Concessions

Sibling Discount
Scholarship / Bursary

Scholarships & Bursaries

No formal scholarship or bursary programme is publicly documented for Al Tharawat National Private School. Given the school's already low fee structure, financial assistance options may be limited. Families requiring fee support should contact the school administration directly.

The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?

Al Tharawat National Private School occupies a specific and honest niche in Abu Dhabi education: it is an affordable, Arabic-medium, MoE-curriculum community school in Bani Yas, serving a predominantly Arab expatriate population for whom cultural alignment, Islamic values education, and accessible fees are the primary decision criteria. On those specific terms, it delivers. Islamic Education, UAE Social Studies, and Arabic language performance in the upper cycles are consistently Good, safeguarding is robust, and the school community has a warm, familiar character that many families value. The harder truth is that the school's ADEK Acceptable rating - and the regression from Good in 2022 - reflects real and documented weaknesses in English, mathematics, and science across the lower cycles, in teaching quality in KG and Cycle 1, and in leadership effectiveness across the board. PISA and TIMSS scores are below international benchmarks. Extracurricular provision is limited. Facilities need investment. These are not cosmetic concerns - they represent structural gaps that will affect student outcomes, particularly for children entering KG or Cycle 1 who will spend their formative academic years in the school's weakest-performing stages. For families considering admissions criteria and school fit, the key question is whether Al Tharawat's strengths align with their child's needs and their family's priorities. The new leadership team's commitment to improvement is acknowledged by ADEK, and the school has clear, specific recommendations to work from. Whether the improvement trajectory is fast enough - and whether it translates into classroom reality - is something parents should monitor closely, and ideally discuss with current school families before committing.

THE “RIGHT FIT”

Families in the Bani Yas area for whom affordability is a primary concern, who prioritise Arabic-medium MoE education, strong Islamic values grounding, and a familiar community environment - particularly for students entering Cycle 2 or Cycle 3, where performance is stronger.

THE “WRONG FIT”

Families with high aspirations in English, STEM, or international academic pathways, or those whose children are entering KG or Cycle 1 - where teaching quality and academic outcomes are currently at their weakest - or children with additional learning needs requiring specialist inclusion support.

For our budget and our community, there were not many options in Bani Yas. The school has good values and the older teachers in the secondary section are experienced. I hope the new management can fix the issues in the lower grades.

Grade 8 Parent

Strengths

  • Among the lowest tuition fees in Abu Dhabi's private sector (AED 10,100-12,200)
  • Islamic Education and UAE Social Studies rated Good across all cycles
  • Safeguarding and child protection consistently rated Good by ADEK
  • Students' personal development and cultural awareness rated Good at all stages
  • Arabic literacy nationally recognised including Sweet Recitation Competition win
  • Large, established school community of 1,713 students in Bani Yas
  • Electronic library launched providing online reading access for all grades
  • New leadership team committed to school improvement under ADEK guidance

Areas for Improvement

  • Overall ADEK rating regressed from Good (2022) to Acceptable (2024) - a significant decline
  • English, Maths, and Science rated Acceptable in KG, Cycle 1, and Cycle 2
  • PISA 2022 and TIMSS 2023 scores below international benchmarks in all domains
  • Teaching quality Acceptable in KG and Cycle 1; assessment Acceptable across all cycles
  • Inclusion provision for students of determination and gifted learners flagged as insufficient