English Language Private School, Dubai

English Language Private School is led by Principal Muhammad Afzal, who was appointed on 25 July 2023. His tenure is relatively recent, and parents should note that the 2023–2024 KHDA inspection — conducted just six months after his appointment — was the first to assess his leadership. Inspectors found that the principal provides clear direction to the work of the school, ably supported by senior leaders and governors, and that parent partnerships have seen improved communication and parental engagement with school improvement. That said, school self-evaluation was found to overestimate student outcomes in key subjects, a meaningful gap that the leadership team must address. The school is operated by LEAMS Education.

Governance is provided by a six-member Board of Governors chaired by Mr. Hassan Hokal (Chairman and Inclusion Governor), with Mr. Mohammed Rashid Ashraf serving as Co-Chairman. The board also includes a dedicated Wellbeing Governor (Mr. Masroor Ahmed) and an Associate Governor, Mr. Ian McNiff. KHDA rated governance Good in 2023–2024, and inspectors noted that governors exercise a caring influence and hold leaders well to account. Overall leadership effectiveness was rated Acceptable — the same rating the school has held consistently since 2017–2018, following a Weak rating in 2016–2017. The trajectory is one of steady, if slow, improvement rather than transformation.

Teaching quality presents a mixed picture. KHDA rated teaching and assessment Acceptable across Foundation Stage, Primary and Secondary, improving to Good at Post-16. Inspectors found that while teachers plan lessons systematically, they have yet to use assessment information consistently to meet the needs of all student groups — particularly in Primary and Secondary. Post-16 teaching was more positively assessed, with effective use of data and probing questioning noted. The school employs 131 teachers supported by 22 teaching assistants and 1 guidance counsellor. [MISSING: staff qualification percentages, e.g. proportion holding Masters or above]

The school's student-to-teacher ratio stands at 1:16, which is notably higher than the Dubai-wide average of 1:13.6 across 204 schools with available data. Among British curriculum schools — the most competitive segment in Dubai with 105 schools — this ratio places ELPS at the less favourable end of the spectrum, meaning classes are, on average, larger than at many peer institutions. Parents considering this school should weigh this against the school's relatively affordable fee structure.

On community and culture, the inspection found staff morale to be high, with staff well supported by senior leaders and governors. Parents are described as close partners, reporting strong satisfaction with school communications and wellbeing guidance. The school council is active, and students exercise genuine influence through leadership roles. Notably, the school's Pakistan Educational and Cultural Board (PECB) Volunteering Team received the CDA Outstanding Team Award in November 2025, and the primary robotics team won the Mubarmij 50 robotics competition — tangible signals of a community-minded culture that extends beyond the classroom.