Dunes International School maintains a Good overall rating in the latest ADEK Irtiqa inspection for the 2024-2025 academic year. The school has demonstrated consistent quality across core areas since the previous inspection, with no regression observed in overall performance.
Significant improvements have been noted in students' achievement, particularly in Arabic-medium subjects and UAE Social Studies, which progressed to Very Good across all phases. English-medium subjects also show overall improvement, with strong attainment in English, Mathematics, and Science. Students exhibit positive attitudes, strong work ethic, and collaborative learning skills, with teaching quality remaining Good overall and Very Good in Phase 4.
The school's commitment to student wellbeing is evident in its Outstanding health and safety provisions. Leadership and management are consistently Good, with strong partnerships with parents rated as Very Good, ensuring effective communication regarding student progress. The curriculum is comprehensive, balanced, and effectively promotes UAE values.
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Dunes International School Overall Rating
Good
The six Irtiqa inspection standards used by ADEK to evaluate school performance across Abu Dhabi.
Students' achievement has improved across various subjects, notably in Arabic-medium subjects and UAE Social Studies, which are now rated Very Good. English, Mathematics, and Science also show strong attainment and progress in many phases. However, some areas, particularly Islamic Education and Arabic as a second language in lower phases, require further improvement to reach consistently Very Good levels. Arabic-medium subjectsUAE Social StudiesEnglishMathematicsScience
Students demonstrate Very Good personal development, characterized by positive attitudes, behavior, and punctuality. Social responsibility and innovation skills are rated Good, while understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures are Acceptable, indicating areas for further development in environmental awareness and leadership skills. positive attitudesocial responsibilityinnovation skills
Teaching quality is Good overall, with teachers effectively using subject knowledge to create engaging learning environments, especially in KG. Teaching is Very Good in Phase 4, where challenging questions and varied strategies are more evident. Assessment systems are consistent, but inconsistent use of self/peer assessment and written feedback, along with a lack of external benchmarks for Arabic, are areas for improvement. engaging learning environmentschallenging questionsconsistent assessment systems
Curriculum design and implementation are Very Good, demonstrating breadth, balance, and compliance with statutory requirements, including strong strategies for UAE values. Curriculum adaptation is Good, though there is insufficient differentiation to challenge all learners, particularly high achievers and gifted and talented students, and further promotion of enterprise, innovation, and creativity is needed. breadth and balanceUAE valuescurriculum adaptation
Health and safety provisions are Outstanding, ensuring a safe and inclusive environment. Staff provide caring and supportive relationships, identifying and supporting lower attainers. However, care and support for students have regressed to Good, with a need to strengthen support for higher attainers and address the lack of in-school support services for students of determination. Outstanding health and safetycaring and supportive relationshipsstudents of determination
Leadership and management are consistently Good, with an effective senior management team driving the school's vision. Partnerships with parents are Very Good. The school focuses on enhancing middle managers' capacity and ensuring compliance, but self-evaluation needs more detailed steps and measurable objectives, and monitoring should broaden beyond academic outcomes to students' broader experiences. effective senior managementVery Good parent partnershipsself-evaluation and improvement
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Students' achievement has improved across various subjects and phases due to consistently effective teaching strategies.
Students demonstrate a positive attitude toward learning, a strong work ethic, collaborative learning abilities, and independent learning skills.
The school ensures students’ safety and security, with well-maintained premises providing an inclusive physical environment for all, rated Outstanding.
The curriculum is comprehensive, balanced, and compliant with statutory requirements, incorporating well-developed strategies to enhance students’ understanding of UAE values, culture, and society.
The dedicated senior management team effectively drives the vision for student success, maintaining high academic standards and fostering stability.
Student-led conferences and regular progress reports keep parents well-informed about their children’s academic development, with parent partnerships rated Very Good.
Students' achievement in Arabic-medium subjects and UAE Social Studies has significantly improved across all phases. English-medium subjects also show overall improvement, with some phases maintaining previous high levels and none experiencing regression.
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
The dedicated senior management team effectively drives the school's vision to equip students for success in a changing world. They emphasize enhancing middle managers' capacity to use assessment data for self-review and planning, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements and sustaining high academic standards.
Students demonstrate improved achievement across various subjects, with strong attainment and progress in Arabic-medium subjects, UAE Social Studies, English, Mathematics, and Science in many phases. External assessments show proficiency above international averages in English, Math, and Science, with Grade 12 students achieving outstanding attainment in Arabic and Islamic Education.
Students exhibit very good personal development, characterized by positive attitudes, behavior, and punctuality. Social responsibility and innovation skills are good, though there is room to enhance understanding of Islamic values, Emirati and world cultures, and to further develop environmental awareness and leadership skills.
Teaching quality is good overall, with engaging learning environments created by teachers, particularly in KG, and very good teaching in Phase 4. Consistent assessment systems are in place, but there is inconsistent use of self- and peer-assessment and a need for more routine written feedback to guide student progress.
Curriculum design and implementation are very good, offering breadth, balance, and compliance with statutory requirements, including strong promotion of UAE values. Curriculum adaptation is good, but requires further refinement to adequately challenge high achievers and gifted and talented students, and to more fully promote enterprise, innovation, and creativity.
Health and safety provisions are outstanding, ensuring a secure and inclusive physical environment for all students. Staff provide caring and supportive relationships, identifying and assisting lower attainers. However, care and support for students have regressed to good, highlighting a need to strengthen support for higher attainers and establish in-school support services for students of determination.