Darb Al Saada Private School branch Sharjah - Al Ghubaiba
Executive Summary
Darb Al Saada Private School, located in Al Ghubaiba, Sharjah, follows the Ministry of Education (MoE) curriculum and was established in 2021. In the most recent inspection conducted in February 2025, the school achieved an overall effectiveness rating of Good, representing a significant improvement from its previous rating of Acceptable in 2023-2024.
The quality of students' achievements is now rated Good across KG and all cycles, with notable improvements in personal development, Islamic values, and UAE cultural awareness. Teaching quality improved to Good, while assessment remained at Acceptable. Curriculum quality and student protection and care also improved to Good. The school's leadership and management quality improved to Good, with senior leadership demonstrating a strong capacity to continue school development.
Key strengths identified by the inspection team of 7 reviewers, who observed 150 lessons, include the overall improvement in student achievement, students' personal development and understanding of Islamic values and Emirati culture, the effectiveness of safeguarding procedures and support for students of determination, and the clarity of senior leadership's vision. Areas requiring further development include raising student attainment across most subjects, continuing to deliver effective teaching in all cycles, and identifying and supporting gifted and talented students.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Darb Al Saada Private School branch Sharjah - Al Ghubaiba Overall Rating
Good
SPEA Performance Standards
The performance standards used by SPEA to evaluate school quality across Sharjah.
The school's safeguarding procedures are effective and support for students of determination has improved, recognized as a key strength in the 2024-2025 inspection. The school now has 48 students of determination, and the inspection noted the effectiveness of protection procedures and support provided to this group. However, ensuring consistently differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all learners, including higher-ability students, remains an area for development. students of determinationsafeguardingdifferentiated instruction
Students' personal development is rated Good overall and Very Good in KG. Students demonstrate responsible and positive attitudes, increasing independence, and cooperative and respectful relationships with peers and teachers. Student attendance is good at 94.5%, though a small number of students arrive late. Students are aware of healthy eating habits, reinforced through morning assembly presentations and school campaigns. positive attitudeshealthy lifestyleattendance 94.5%
Students' understanding of Islamic values and awareness of UAE traditions and culture is rated Good overall and Very Good in KG. Students actively participate in national and cultural events such as National Day, Martyr's Day, and Flag Day, and demonstrate a strong appreciation of UAE heritage. The school participates in international benchmark assessments including IBT, TIMSS, and the Arabic Language Arts test (Tala'a), with TIMSS results for Grades 4 and 8 exceeding national expectations. Islamic valuesUAE cultureTIMSSIBTTala'a
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Overall Improvement
The school improved its overall effectiveness rating from Acceptable to Good, demonstrating measurable progress across all six performance standards since the previous inspection.
Student Achievement Growth
The quality of student achievements improved to Good across KG and all cycles, with stronger attainment particularly in KG and Cycle 1 in Arabic, Mathematics, and Islamic Education.
Islamic & UAE Cultural Values
Students across all cycles demonstrate a strong understanding and appreciation of Islamic values and UAE heritage, participating actively in national events and cultural activities.
Effective Safeguarding
The effectiveness of the school's safeguarding procedures and support for students of determination was recognized as a key strength, reflecting improved pastoral care and protection systems.
Leadership Vision
Senior leadership demonstrates a clear direction and a strong understanding of best practices in teaching and learning, with a proven capacity to continue driving school improvement.
Academic Performance Breakdown
The 2024-2025 inspection shows significant improvement from the previous cycle. Overall student achievement is now rated Good, up from Acceptable in 2023-2024. External IBT results indicate Acceptable attainment in English overall with significant variation between cycles. TIMSS results for Grades 4 and 8 exceeded national expectations in both Mathematics and Science.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
The school's senior leadership team, led by Principal Nour Al-Buqa'i, has demonstrated a clear improvement trajectory since the school's first inspection in 2023-2024. Leadership has a strong understanding of best practices in teaching and learning and applies this to planning and professional development. The team is actively building strong relationships with parents, the Board of Trustees, and the wider community, all of whom contribute positively to the school's development.
Inspection Findings
Students' Outcomes
The quality of student achievements improved to Good overall across KG and all cycles, representing a significant improvement from the previous Acceptable rating. Most students make good progress over time, with attainment exceeding curriculum expectations particularly in KG and Cycle 1. TIMSS results for Grades 4 and 8 exceeded national expectations in Mathematics and Science, though IBT results indicate Acceptable attainment in English with significant variation between cycles.
Personal Development
Students' personal development is rated Good overall and Very Good in KG. Students demonstrate positive and responsible attitudes, increasing independence, and respectful relationships with peers and teachers. Students show a strong understanding and appreciation of Islamic values and UAE heritage, participating actively in national and cultural events. Social responsibility and innovation skills remain at Acceptable level across all cycles, with innovation and entrepreneurship skills still underdeveloped.
Teaching Quality
Teaching quality improved to Good overall, with most teachers demonstrating solid subject knowledge and planning engaging lessons that involve students in active learning. Positive teacher-student relationships and meaningful dialogue are features of most lessons, with open-ended questions and higher-order thinking skills embedded in most subjects. Assessment quality remains Acceptable, with inconsistent use of written feedback and data to address the needs of all student groups, particularly lower-attaining and higher-ability students.
Protection & Care
The quality of student protection, care, guidance, and support improved to Good overall. The effectiveness of safeguarding procedures and support for students of determination was recognized as a key strength of the school. Student attendance is good at 94.5%, and the school promotes healthy lifestyles through morning assembly presentations and school campaigns. Consistent security and safety procedures ensure student wellbeing throughout the school day.
Areas for Development
- •Raise the level of student attainment in most subjects across all cycles.
- •Continue to deliver effective teaching services across all cycles and subjects, ensuring consistent quality and differentiation to meet the needs of all learners.
- •Strengthen the process of identifying gifted, talented, and high-ability students and providing them with appropriate challenge and support.
- •Improve the effective use of reliable assessment data to inform teaching planning and address the varying needs of all student groups across all cycles.
- •Develop teachers' use of written feedback to inform students how to make further academic progress across all cycles.