Emirates National Schools - Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi
ADEK Inspection Report & Ratings
Last updated
Executive Summary
Emirates National Schools - Al Nahyan has achieved a Good overall rating in its latest ADEK Irtiqa inspection for the 2023-2024 academic year. This marks a significant improvement from its previous 'Acceptable' rating, reflecting the school's commitment to enhancing educational quality and student outcomes. The school offers an American curriculum, providing a comprehensive education for its students.
Key strengths include good student achievements in English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies across the school, supported by effective teaching practices that foster positive classroom atmospheres. The school has demonstrated improved academic growth in standardized assessments over the last three years, particularly in English and Mathematics. Leaders have provided clear guidance and training, contributing to a consistent approach to teaching.
Students exhibit very good personal development and positive attitudes towards learning, with strong arrangements for health and safety. Parents are actively engaged as partners in their children's education, and the Governing Board provides effective support to the school's leadership. These collaborative efforts have been central to the school's overall improvement and its capacity to sustain future progress.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Emirates National Schools - Al Nahyan Overall Rating
Good
ADEK Performance Standards
The six Irtiqa inspection standards used by ADEK to evaluate school performance across Abu Dhabi.
Students' achievements are good in English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies across the school, showing improvement from previous levels. Attainment and progress in Islamic Education and Arabic as a first language remain acceptable, with specific areas identified for development to reach a good level. Learning skills have also improved to a good level. EnglishMathematicsScienceSocial StudiesLearning Skills
Students' personal development is rated Very Good, demonstrating positive attitudes, self-discipline, and respectful interactions. Understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures, along with social responsibility and innovation skills, are rated Good. Students actively participate in school and community initiatives. Personal DevelopmentIslamic valuesEmirati cultureSocial responsibility
The quality of teaching for effective learning and assessment practices are both rated Good, showing improvement due to new staff recruitment and intensive training. Teachers effectively apply subject knowledge and use a range of engaging activities, though some lessons lack sufficient challenge for higher-attaining students, particularly in Arabic and Islamic Education. effective learningassessment practicesnew teaching stafftraining
Curriculum design, implementation, and adaptation are all rated Good. The curriculum is well-designed and implemented to meet student needs, with appropriate adaptation. The school offers a broad and balanced American curriculum. Curriculum designCurriculum adaptationAmerican curriculum
Arrangements for health and safety, including child protection and safeguarding, have improved to a Very Good level, with rigorous protocols in place. The overall provision for care and support for students is rated Good. Students' attendance is also good. Health and safetyChild protectionCare and supportAttendance
The school's overall leadership and management have improved to a Good level. The effectiveness of leadership, self-evaluation, improvement planning, parents and community engagement, and management of staffing, facilities, and resources are all Good. Governance is rated Very Good, with strong support from the Governing Board. Effectiveness of leadershipGovernanceSelf-evaluationParents and community
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Strong Academic Gains
Students' achievements are good in English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies across the school, reflecting improved teaching and clear guidance.
Positive Student Development
Students demonstrate very good personal development and positive attitudes to learning, contributing to a harmonious school atmosphere.
Effective Teaching
Teaching is effective across the school, particularly in English, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies, fostering motivating learning environments.
Robust Safeguarding
The school maintains rigorous protocols and stringent arrangements for health and safety, ensuring a very good level of protection for students.
Engaged Parent Partnership
Parents are highly involved partners in their children’s education, working closely with staff to promote a shared sense of responsibility.
Supportive Governance
The Governing Board provides effective support for the school’s leadership, contributing to overall improvements and strategic direction.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Overall, students' academic growth in standardized assessments (MAP) is improving over time, despite some weak overall results. PISA and TIMSS results are generally below international averages, though the school exceeded targets in PISA reading literacy and nearly met mathematical literacy targets. Learning skills are good across both phases.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
The leadership team, in close collaboration with the Governing Board, has effectively driven school-wide improvements, moving the overall effectiveness from acceptable to good. They demonstrate a strong capacity to maintain future improvements through clear guidance, staff training, and strategic initiatives, fostering a culture of continuous enhancement.
Inspection Findings
Students' Achievement
Students demonstrate good attainment and progress in English, Mathematics, Science, and UAE Social Studies, with notable improvements. However, attainment and progress in Islamic Education and Arabic as a first language remain acceptable, particularly in higher-order skills like Tajweed application, analytical reading, and writing accuracy. Higher-attaining students do not always make the progress of which they are capable across subjects.
Personal & Social Development
Students exhibit very good personal development, showing positive attitudes, self-discipline, and respectful interactions. Their understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures is good, as are their social responsibility and innovation skills. However, boys' self-reliance and initiative need further development, and students' knowledge of other world cultures is limited.
Teaching & Assessment
Teaching for effective learning and assessment practices are both good, with teachers applying subject knowledge well and using engaging activities. The recruitment of new staff and intensive training have led to a consistent teaching approach. However, not all lessons sufficiently challenge higher-attaining students, and some teachers rely too heavily on textbooks, especially in Arabic and Islamic Education.
Curriculum Design & Adaptation
Curriculum design and implementation, along with curriculum adaptation, are rated good. The school effectively implements its American curriculum, providing a broad and balanced education. The curriculum is adapted to meet student needs, though specific details on cross-curricular links or innovation integration are not extensively detailed in the findings.
Protection, Care & Support
Health and safety arrangements, including child protection and safeguarding, are very good, with rigorous protocols in place. The overall care and support for students are good. Students' attendance is good, and they generally feel safe and supported. However, there is scope to further improve support for students with additional learning needs and to ensure all students follow healthy lifestyle advice.
Areas for Development
- •Improve the current acceptable level of achievement in Islamic education and Arabic as a first language to at least a good level across the school by maximizing opportunities for students to read and write in Arabic, ensuring well-differentiated work for higher-attaining students, engaging students in collaborative group work, extending interventions, and enriching the learning environment.
- •Further strengthen leadership to raise effectiveness to at least a very good level by ensuring middle leaders are fully trained for refined analysis of internal assessments, aligning the school development plan with self-evaluation, actioning plans to refurbish facilities, and embedding ICT and learning technologies across all subjects.
- •Further improve the care and support for students so that it is very good and aligns with best inclusive practices by meeting all expectations of ADEK's inclusion policy, expanding the team of qualified and experienced experts in special education needs, and improving in-lesson support for students needing additional help.