Aldar Academies-Al Yasmina School
Executive Summary
Yasmina British Academy has consistently maintained an Outstanding overall performance rating since its last inspection in 2023, demonstrating a strong commitment to high expectations and continuous improvement. The school's dedication to providing a high-quality British curriculum education is evident across all key performance areas, fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment.
Students consistently achieve strong outcomes in English-medium subjects, with notable improvements in mathematics and science across various phases. Significant gains have also been observed in Arabic-medium subjects, including Arabic as a first and second language, Islamic Education, and Social Studies, attributed to enhanced curriculum sequencing, effective differentiation, and improved teaching strategies. Learning skills, encompassing engagement, collaboration, communication, innovation, and independent learning, remain Outstanding across all phases.
The school excels in students' personal development, well-being, and behavior, which are exemplary. Leadership and management are highly effective, fostering a positive culture and robust self-evaluation. Furthermore, students consistently meet or exceed international averages in assessments such as PISA 2022 and TIMSS 2023, reflecting the school's strategic commitment to global benchmarks and comprehensive preparation.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Yasmina British Academy Overall Rating
Outstanding for 2+ consecutive years
ADEK Performance Standards
The six Irtiqa inspection standards used by ADEK to evaluate school performance across Abu Dhabi.
Students consistently achieve strong outcomes in English-medium subjects, with attainment and progress remaining Outstanding across most phases. Significant improvements have been noted in Arabic-medium subjects, including Islamic Education, Arabic First Language, Arabic Second Language, and UAE Social Studies, reflecting enhanced curriculum and teaching strategies. Learning skills are Outstanding, demonstrating exceptional engagement and innovation. English-medium subjectsArabic-medium subjectsLearning Skills
Students' personal development is Outstanding, characterized by positive behaviors, respectful relationships, and a secure understanding of safe and healthy living. Their understanding of Islamic values, Emirati and world cultures, and social responsibility and innovation skills are Very Good, with active participation in community initiatives and creative projects. personal developmentIslamic valuesEmirati and world culturessocial responsibilityinnovation skills
Teaching for effective learning and assessment practices are consistently Outstanding across all phases. Teachers utilize purposeful instructional strategies and a comprehensive system for collecting and analyzing learner data to inform lesson planning and differentiation. Feedback is specific and constructive, effectively driving improvements in student outcomes. instructional strategiesassessment systemsdifferentiation
The curriculum design and adaptation are Outstanding, offering a well-structured and broad range of pathways aligned with national priorities and international benchmarks. It is responsive to students' diverse interests, embedding career education, innovation, and enterprise, while promoting deep connections through cross-curricular links and a strong emphasis on UAE heritage and values. curriculum design and adaptationnational prioritiesUAE heritage
The school demonstrates an Outstanding commitment to students' health, safety, and care, with clear and consistently applied safeguarding policies and health protocols. The provision for students of determination and gifted and talented learners is highly effective, ensuring all students are challenged, supported, and able to thrive in a safe, clean, and well-maintained environment. safeguarding policieswell-beingstudents of determination
Leadership and management are Outstanding across all elements, driven by a clear strategic vision aligned with UAE national priorities. Senior leaders foster a positive, inclusive culture with high staff morale and shared accountability. Robust self-evaluation, effective partnerships with parents and the community, and strong governance ensure continuous development and sustained impact on school performance. strategic visionself-evaluationpartnershipsgovernance
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Strong Academic Outcomes
Students consistently achieve strong outcomes across English-medium subjects, with significant improvements in Arabic-medium subjects.
Highly Effective Inclusion
The school provides highly effective provision for inclusion, with robust systems for identifying and supporting students of determination and gifted learners.
Exemplary Personal Development
Students' personal development, well-being, and behavior are exemplary across all phases, fostering positive relationships and a secure understanding of healthy living.
Distributed Leadership Model
Senior and middle leaders collaborate effectively within a distributed leadership model, fostering innovation, accountability, and continuous school improvement.
Exceeds International Benchmarks
Students consistently meet or exceed international averages in key assessments such as PISA 2022 and TIMSS 2023, demonstrating strong global competitiveness.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Students consistently achieve strong outcomes in English-medium subjects, with significant improvements in Arabic-medium subjects across various phases. Performance in international assessments like PISA and TIMSS also reflects high achievement.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
The leadership team operates with a clear strategic vision, fostering a positive and inclusive culture with high staff morale and shared accountability. They demonstrate strong commitment to continuous improvement, evidenced by robust self-evaluation and effective partnerships with parents and the community. All previous recommendations have been fully addressed, reflecting a responsive and reflective leadership.
Inspection Findings
Students' Achievement
Students demonstrate strong attainment and progress across English-medium subjects, with advanced language comprehension and critical analysis. Significant improvements are noted in Arabic-medium subjects due to enhanced curriculum and teaching. Students consistently make better-than-expected progress, with high-attaining and gifted students showing Outstanding progress across all phases and subjects.
Personal & Social Development
Students exhibit Outstanding personal development, characterized by positive behaviors, respectful relationships, and a secure understanding of safe and healthy living. Their understanding of Islamic values, Emirati and world cultures, and social responsibility and innovation skills are Very Good, with active participation in initiatives that positively impact the school and wider community.
Teaching & Assessment
Teaching for effective learning and assessment practices are Outstanding. Teachers consistently use purposeful instructional strategies and a comprehensive system for collecting and analyzing learner data to inform lesson planning and differentiation. Feedback is specific and constructive, effectively driving improvements in student outcomes across all phases.
Curriculum Design & Adaptation
The curriculum design and adaptation are Outstanding, offering a well-structured and broad range of pathways aligned with national priorities and international benchmarks. It is highly responsive to students’ diverse interests and abilities, embedding career education, innovation, and enterprise, while promoting deep connections through cross-curricular links and a strong emphasis on UAE heritage and values.
Protection, Care & Support
The school demonstrates an Outstanding commitment to students' health, safety, and care, with clear and consistently applied safeguarding policies and health protocols. Staff maintain supportive relationships, and the identification and support of students of determination and gifted and talented learners are highly effective, ensuring all students are challenged, supported, and able to thrive.
Areas for Development
- •Raise students’ achievement to consistently Very Good or better in Arabic-medium subjects and to consistently Outstanding in English-medium subjects across all phases.
- •Improve teaching for effective learning, assessment, and curriculum by enhancing pedagogy in Arabic-medium subjects, adapting lessons to address identified gaps, and improving feedback practices.
- •Enhance students’ readiness for and attainment on international assessments by developing a coherent whole-school strategy for TIMSS, PISA, and PIRLS preparation, and integrating assessment-style tasks.
- •Improve the impact of school leadership on student outcomes by continuing to build leadership capacity, providing focused support for less secure performing students, and expanding international partnerships.