Diyafah International School

Diyafah International School follows the English National Curriculum, progressing through EYFS in the Foundation Stage, the UK National Curriculum in Primary (Years 1-6), and Key Stage 4 studies leading to IGCSE and GCSE qualifications from Year 10. Sixth Form students sit AS and A Level examinations accredited by both Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE) and Pearson Edexcel, with the option of Oxford AQA International Qualifications also available. The school also introduced BTEC Level 3 Diploma qualifications from 2021, offering an alternative vocational route into university or employment - a pragmatic widening of pathways that many mid-range schools in Abu Dhabi have been slow to adopt. ASDAN is additionally available, supporting students who benefit from broader accreditation beyond traditional academic routes. On academic results, DIS does not publish its formal IGCSE or A Level pass rate data publicly, which limits independent verification. However, school-shared data from April 2024 indicates that in OECD PISA-equivalent benchmarking, DIS students aged 15 performed 14% above the UAE average in English, 11% above the UAE average in Mathematics (and 1% above OECD standards), and 13% above the UAE average in Science. These are meaningful benchmarks, assessed against UK standards on a 1-9 scale rather than local norms. External standardised assessments including GL Progress Tests and CAT4 show that between 75% and 89% of students are making excellent progress. The school uses CAT4 diagnostically to personalise teaching strategies - a genuine differentiator at this price point. Core subjects at IGCSE include English Language, Mathematics, Sciences (triple award: Chemistry, Physics, Biology), Arabic, Islamic Studies, and Moral Education. Optional subjects include History, Geography, Spanish, Computing Science or ICT, Art and Design, Business Studies, and Physical Education. At A Level, students typically take three subjects, with high performers permitted four; subjects available include Art and Design, Biology, Business, Chemistry, English Language, English Literature, Geography, Global Perspectives and Research, History, Information Technology, Mathematics, Physical Education, Physics, and Psychology. The subject range is solid for a school of this size, though it remains narrower than larger premium competitors. EAL provision is a documented strength - a parent whose child joined from France aged 5 noted that EAL lessons in Year 2 made a transformative difference to language acquisition and confidence. Approximately 40 students of determination (2.23% of enrolment) receive targeted inclusion support. Gifted and Talented students are catered for through extension programmes and enrichment competitions. Catch-up and booster intervention programmes are in place for students who need additional academic scaffolding. University placement data is not publicly disclosed, but the school's A Level programme and BTEC pathway are designed to meet undergraduate entry requirements across the UK and internationally.