Emirates Private School (Branch) - Baniyas
Executive Summary
Emirates Private School (Branch) - Baniyas has received an overall ADEK Irtiqa rating of Acceptable for the 2024-2025 academic year. The school follows the UAE Ministry of Education (MoE) curriculum and has maintained its overall judgment since the previous inspection. While students demonstrate generally positive attitudes toward learning, the inspection highlights a need to deepen their engagement and independence, particularly in Cycle 3.
Academically, the school shows mixed performance. It has met and exceeded international averages in TIMSS 2023 assessments for Grade 4 and 8 Mathematics and Science. Students' achievement has also improved in Mathematics and Science in Cycles 1 and 2. However, there have been regressions in English, Mathematics, Science, and Learning Skills in Cycle 3, and Islamic Education in KG. Standardized ACER IBT results indicate Weak attainment and progress in Arabic, Mathematics, and Science across cycles.
Key areas for development include strengthening students' application of foundational knowledge and critical thinking across all subjects, improving teaching and assessment practices to better meet diverse learning needs, and enhancing procedures for health, safety, and care. Furthermore, the effectiveness of leadership and management, particularly governance, requires significant improvement due to an inactive Board of Governors and staffing challenges.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Emirates Private School (Branch) - Baniyas Overall Rating
Acceptable for 2+ consecutive years
ADEK Performance Standards
The six Irtiqa inspection standards used by ADEK to evaluate school performance across Abu Dhabi.
Students' achievement is Acceptable overall, with notable strengths in TIMSS 2023 results for Mathematics and Science. However, internal and standardized assessments reveal inconsistencies, with regressions in English, Mathematics, Science, and Learning Skills in Cycle 3, and Islamic Education in KG. Attainment and progress in Arabic, Mathematics, and Science are Weak in ACER IBT assessments. TIMSS 2023ACER IBTregressions
Students' personal and social development is Acceptable across most cycles, with positive attitudes towards learning and good relationships with staff and peers. However, personal development is Weak in KG. The appreciation of Islamic values and understanding of UAE and world cultures are Acceptable, as are social responsibility and innovation skills. positive attitudesWeak in KG
Teaching and assessment are Acceptable in KG and Cycles 1 and 2, but regressed to Acceptable in Cycle 3. While teachers possess strong subject knowledge, assessment information is not effectively used to differentiate instruction and meet the needs of all learners, limiting student progress. differentiationassessment information
The curriculum's design, provision, and implementation are Acceptable across all cycles. Links to UAE culture and society are well-planned, but modifications to effectively meet the diverse needs of all student groups are currently ineffective. UAE culturemodifications
Protection, care, guidance, and support for students are Acceptable. The school provides a clean, safe, and largely secure learning environment. While students with special educational needs are identified, the provision for gifted and talented students is not consistently effective. safe environmentgifted and talented
Leadership and management are Acceptable overall, but governance has regressed to Weak due to an inactive Board of Governors and limited oversight. The school faces challenges with staffing shortages, high turnover, and unfilled leadership positions, impacting its capacity for effective self-evaluation and improvement planning. governanceWeakstaffing shortages
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Exceeded TIMSS Targets
The school successfully met its targets and exceeded international averages in the TIMSS 2023 international assessments for Mathematics and Science.
Improved Math & Science
Students' achievement has improved in Mathematics and Science in Cycles 1 and 2, demonstrating better conceptual understanding and application of skills.
Positive Student Attitudes
Students consistently demonstrate positive attitudes toward learning, fostering a motivated and engaged school community.
Inclusive Environment
The school cultivates an inclusive and nurturing environment where all students feel welcomed and supported.
Effective Behavior Policies
The implementation of behavior policies has positively impacted the school, promoting a respectful and orderly atmosphere.
Developing Reading Culture
A new library and various initiatives, including digital platforms and cross-curricular links, are actively promoting literacy and a developing reading culture.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Overall academic performance is mixed, with strong TIMSS results contrasting with regressions in several subjects in Cycle 3 and consistently Weak performance in ACER IBT assessments across cycles.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
The leadership demonstrates an Acceptable approach to day-to-day management, but faces significant challenges in strategic oversight and accountability. The absence of a regularly convening Board of Governors has led to Weak governance, limiting effective accountability and an objective view of school performance. Staffing shortages and high turnover, particularly in senior and middle leadership, further impede school improvement efforts.
Inspection Findings
Students' Achievement
Students' achievement presents a mixed picture, with strong performance in TIMSS 2023 but Weak results in ACER IBT for Arabic, Mathematics, and Science. Internal assessments show varied attainment and progress across subjects and cycles, with notable regressions in Cycle 3 and KG Islamic Education. Students' application of knowledge, critical thinking, and communication skills require significant development across the curriculum.
Personal & Social Development
Students exhibit generally positive attitudes towards learning and good relationships. While appreciation of Islamic values and awareness of cultures are Acceptable, personal development in KG is Weak. Students' engagement and independence need to be deepened through structured self-reflection and purposeful collaboration.
Teaching & Assessment
Teachers demonstrate subject knowledge and enthusiasm, but the effectiveness of teaching and assessment is hampered by the inconsistent use of assessment data. This prevents effective differentiation and tailored support for all learners, particularly higher-attaining and low-attaining students, contributing to regressions in Cycle 3.
Curriculum Design & Adaptation
The curriculum is Acceptable in design and implementation, with well-planned links to UAE culture and society. However, modifications to the curriculum are ineffective in consistently meeting the diverse needs of all student groups, including those with additional learning needs and gifted and talented students.
Protection, Care & Support
The school provides an Acceptable level of protection, care, and support, maintaining a clean, safe, and secure learning environment. While students of determination are identified, the provision and consistent support for gifted and talented students are not yet effective, and there are areas for improvement in dismissal procedures, physical accessibility, and promoting healthy lifestyles.
Areas for Development
- •Ensure that achievement in all subjects improves to at least Good levels by strengthening students’ application of foundational and subject-specific knowledge, deepening understanding through analytical tasks, and improving communication skills across subjects.
- •Improve teaching and assessment across all cycles by planning and delivering lessons that provide both challenge for higher-attaining students and targeted support for those who need it, and by using assessment data effectively to adapt instruction and close learning gaps.
- •Continue to meet and exceed targets on all international assessments by embedding higher-order thinking skills across the curriculum, strengthening students’ ability to apply knowledge in unfamiliar contexts, and promoting independent research and inquiry.
- •Improve procedures for health, safety and care and support for students by streamlining dismissal procedures, enhancing physical accessibility, increasing opportunities for physical activity, and fully implementing systems to identify and support gifted and talented students.
- •Improve the effectiveness of leadership and management, including governance, by using internal and external data consistently to guide strategic decision-making, building middle leadership capacity, improving the accuracy and rigour of self-evaluation, and establishing a Board of Governors.