Dubai Carmel School
Executive Summary
Dubai Carmel School provides an Acceptable quality of education, as determined by the 2023-2024 KHDA inspection. The school follows the UK Curriculum and serves students from FS2 to Year 13, demonstrating a commitment to the UAE priorities of inclusion and wellbeing.
Academically, students show good outcomes in Islamic Education and Arabic as a first language in Primary and Secondary, with Post-16 students performing better in science. While attainment in English, mathematics, and science is generally acceptable, Primary English attainment is Weak. Curriculum design is more effective in the Foundation Stage, though structured progression and differentiation need improvement across other phases.
Students exhibit respectful behavior, a strong understanding of Islamic values, and active participation in community initiatives. However, safeguarding procedures are minimal, and facilities are old. Leadership is committed to improvement but self-evaluation lacks rigor, and governance needs wider representation and accountability.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Dubai Carmel School Overall Rating
Acceptable for 13+ consecutive years
Dubai Focus Areas
These three pillars represent the Dubai education authority's priorities: ensuring inclusive practices, prioritizing student wellbeing, and meeting UAE National Agenda targets.
Provision and outcomes for students of determination are acceptable. While identification criteria are effective and parents are involved, not all staff provide effective support in lessons. Modifications are not always aligned to developmental stages, and specialist pathways are limited. students of determinationidentification criteriaparent involvement
The overall quality of wellbeing provision and outcomes is acceptable, with an increasing culture of wellbeing. Students appreciate the nurturing environment and support systems. However, awareness remains inconsistent, and opportunities for students to support each other are limited, with surveys not yet extended to staff or parents. nurturing environmentMindful Mondaystudent surveys
Overall school standards in the National Agenda Parameter are acceptable. Students achieved an intermediate international benchmark in PIRLS 2021, though Emirati student outcomes are slightly lower. Senior leaders analyze assessment data, but monitoring for modifying activities and filling learning gaps is inconsistent. PIRLSEmirati studentsreading literacy
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Personal Development
Students demonstrate very good personal development in the Foundation Stage and Post-16, showing self-discipline and positive relationships.
Islamic Values & Culture
Students exhibit a strong understanding of Islamic values and a deep appreciation for UAE culture, participating in national events.
Social Responsibility
Students are active and responsible members of the school community, initiating and leading events that promote innovation and social responsibility.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Students' outcomes in Islamic Education and Arabic as a first language are stronger in Primary and Secondary. English attainment is weak in Primary but acceptable elsewhere. Overall, students' outcomes in English, mathematics, and science are similar across the school, with Post-16 performing better in science.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
Leaders are committed to inclusion and wellbeing, striving to build the capacity of middle leaders. However, self-evaluation is not rigorous, and governance lacks sufficient accountability for student outcomes, hindering overall improvement.
Inspection Findings
Students' Outcomes
Students demonstrate acceptable outcomes overall, with good attainment and progress in Islamic Education and Arabic (First Language) in Primary and Secondary. While English, Mathematics, and Science outcomes are generally acceptable, attainment in Primary English is weak. Students display respectful behavior and a strong understanding of Islamic values.
Personal Development
Students show very good personal development in FS and Post-16, with good development in Primary and Secondary. They exhibit respectful behavior, sensitivity to others' needs, and adherence to school rules. Students also demonstrate a strong understanding of Islamic values, Emirati culture, and actively engage in social responsibility and innovation initiatives.
Teaching Quality
Most teachers possess secure subject knowledge and foster respectful interactions. While effective questioning is present in better lessons, differentiated learning targets and challenging expectations are inconsistent. Assessment results are compared with external tests, but feedback to students and the use of data to address learning gaps remain underdeveloped.
Protection & Care
The school promotes safe and healthy living, with mostly effective supervision. However, safeguarding and child protection procedures are minimal and not thoroughly applied. Buildings and equipment are old, and provision for students of determination, gifted and talented students, and career guidance is limited.
Areas for Development
- •As a matter of urgency, address health and safety issues by providing thorough training to all members of staff.
- •Ensure a wider representation of governors with a range of expertise.
- •Improve students’ attainment in all subjects.
- •Develop a rigorous process which will produce accurate school self-evaluation.
- •Build a stronger reading culture by improving the online provision for students to access a range of texts.
- •Ensure that the curriculum is suitably differentiated to meet the needs of students of determination, those with gifts and talents and those studying Arabic as an additional language.
- •Develop an early careers programme for students and offer earlier guidance on careers.