English Language Private School, Dubai

ELPS follows the National Curriculum for England (NCfE) from FS2 through to Year 13, with external qualifications delivered via Edexcel International at IGCSE (Years 9-11), AS Level, and A Level (Year 12-13). The curriculum has been comprehensively reviewed in recent years to ensure stronger alignment with NCfE standards, and the 2023-24 DSIB inspection confirmed that curriculum design and implementation are rated Good across all four phases - Foundation Stage, Primary, Secondary, and Post-16. This is one of the school's clearest strengths and a meaningful improvement from earlier inspection cycles. In the Foundation Stage (FS2), children engage with English, Mathematics, General Knowledge, Islamic Studies, Art, Music, Arabic, and practical activity sessions designed to connect learning to real-life situations. The approach emphasises structured play alongside phonics and early numeracy. From Year 1, the subject range expands to include English Language, English Literature, Science, Social Studies, Computing (ICT), and a choice of Urdu or French - a bilingual option that continues through to Year 11. Years 2 to 7 add Geography to the core offer. Year 8 is designated a pre-IGCSE year, where all students study all three sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) to prepare them for IGCSE subject selection. At IGCSE level (Years 9-11), core subjects include English Language, Mathematics, Islamic Studies, Urdu or French, and Arabic (Ministry Exam). Students select four optional subjects from English Literature, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Human Biology, Accounting, Economics, Business Studies, and ICT. The A Level programme (Year 12-13) offers Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Pure Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Accounting, Economics, Business Studies, Arabic, and Islamic Studies - a broad science and commerce-weighted menu designed to support university entry. The school's stated ambition is for students finishing IGCSEs in at least five subjects to progress to a comprehensive A Level programme targeting leading universities worldwide. The DSIB inspection noted that Primary science now includes regular laboratory-based experimental learning - a specific improvement since the previous cycle. A newly introduced design and technology programme extends vocational learning in Secondary. Cross-curricular STEM activities, including robotics and coding, are integrated across phases. However, inspectors flagged that opportunities for scientific inquiry are still missed in the Foundation Stage and Secondary phases, and that problem-solving and critical thinking are underemphasised in Primary mathematics. Learning skills are rated Good across all four phases, which is a genuine strength - students are motivated, collaborative, and increasingly capable of connecting learning across subjects. On academic outcomes, the DSIB data presents a mixed but improving picture. English attainment is Good in Secondary and Post-16, with progress Good in Primary, Secondary and Post-16. Mathematics attainment reaches Good at Post-16, with progress Good in FS and Secondary. Science attainment is Good in Primary. Crucially, the school exceeded its PIRLS 2021 benchmark target with an average score of 561 - 17 points above target - and science improved to an outstanding judgement in benchmark assessments over two years. These are meaningful external data points. Specific IGCSE and A Level pass rate percentages are not publicly disclosed by the school, which limits the ability to benchmark cohort-wide performance. University destinations are not published, though the school's A Level programme is explicitly designed for university entry. Moral, Social and Cultural Studies (MSCS) is taught as a stand-alone subject from Year 2 to Year 13, delivered by six specialist teachers - a curriculum feature that reflects the school's strong values orientation.