GEMS Cambridge International School branch Abu Dhabi Bani Yas
Executive Summary
GEMS Cambridge International School branch Abu Dhabi Bani Yas has maintained its overall ADEK Irtiqa rating of Very Good for the academic year 2024-2025. The school, offering the British curriculum, demonstrates a strong commitment to sustained improvement across most subjects and phases, driven by effective leadership and a dedicated staff.
Academic performance shows consistent strength, with Outstanding achievement in English, Mathematics, and Science in the secondary phase, and significant improvements in English progress in KG and Primary. Students' personal development, social responsibility, and innovation skills are rated Outstanding across all phases, reflecting exemplary attitudes and behavior. The curriculum is well-structured, flexible, and inclusive, aligning with national priorities and promoting UAE heritage.
Leadership and management are rated Outstanding, characterized by a clear strategic direction, effective succession planning, and strong partnerships with parents and the community. The school effectively delivers a uniquely inclusive and exceptionally cost-effective education, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
GEMS Cambridge International School branch Abu Dhabi Bani Yas Overall Rating
Very Good 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 Very Good overall, with consistent strong performance in Arabic and Islamic Education. English progress improved in KG and Primary, while Mathematics and Science show Outstanding attainment and progress in Middle and Secondary phases. Learning skills have also improved to Outstanding in Secondary. Outstanding attainmentimproved progressLearning skills
Students' personal development is Outstanding across all phases, marked by exemplary attitudes and behavior. They demonstrate robust social responsibility, community engagement, environmental consciousness, and innovation skills through active participation in various initiatives. exemplary student attitudessocial responsibilityinnovation skills
Teaching is Very Good in KG, Primary, and Middle phases, improving to Outstanding in Secondary due to effective professional development and performance management. Assessment practices are consistently Outstanding, with information effectively used to impact teaching and learning. effective professional developmentimaginative lessonsOutstanding assessment
Curriculum design and adaptation are Outstanding across all phases. The school offers a well-structured, flexible, and inclusive curriculum that aligns with national priorities, meets diverse student needs, and promotes enterprise, innovation, and appreciation for UAE heritage and culture. well-structuredflexible and inclusivenational priorities
Protection, care, guidance, and support for students are Outstanding. The school maintains robust safeguarding systems, comprehensive health and safety protocols, and well-equipped facilities. Exemplary care and comprehensive support are provided for students of determination through highly effective individualized plans. robust safeguardingcomprehensive supportstudent well-being
Leadership and management are Outstanding across all indicators. The Principal and Governors provide clear strategic direction, supported by a high-performing team. They foster accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement, ensuring an inclusive and cost-effective educational environment with strong parental partnerships. clear strategic directionhigh-performing teamparental partnerships
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Sustained High Performance
The school has consistently maintained its 'Very Good' overall rating, demonstrating a strong commitment to continuous improvement across all areas.
Exemplary Student Development
Students exhibit Outstanding personal development, social responsibility, and innovation skills, actively engaging in community and environmental initiatives.
Outstanding Curriculum
The curriculum is exceptionally well-designed, flexible, and inclusive, effectively meeting student needs and promoting national priorities.
Robust Safeguarding & Care
The school provides Outstanding protection, health, safety, and comprehensive support, including highly effective provisions for students of determination.
Effective Leadership
Leadership and management are Outstanding, driven by clear strategic direction, effective succession planning, and strong community engagement.
Improved Academic Progress
Progress in English (KG and Primary), Science (Middle), and Learning Skills (Secondary) has improved, contributing to strong overall student achievement.
Academic Performance Breakdown
The school demonstrates strong academic performance, with significant improvements in key subjects and learning skills across various phases. Attainment in Islamic Education and Arabic as a first language is consistently Very Good, with Post-16 showing Outstanding attainment. English, Mathematics, and Science achieve Outstanding ratings in the upper phases.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
The school's exceptional performance is driven by a clear strategic direction set by the Principal and Governors, supported by a high-performing team of senior and middle leaders. They foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement, demonstrating a strong commitment to UAE priorities and effectively delivering an inclusive and cost-effective education.
Inspection Findings
Students' Achievement
Students demonstrate above curriculum standards attainment in most subjects across phases, with notable improvements in English progress in KG and Primary, and Science achievement in Middle. Post-16 students show Outstanding attainment in Islamic Education, Arabic as a first language, English, Mathematics, and Science.
Personal & Social Development
Students' personal development, social responsibility, and innovation skills are Outstanding across all phases. They exhibit exemplary attitudes and behavior, actively participating in service initiatives, sustainability projects, and innovation-driven activities, demonstrating strong community engagement and environmental consciousness.
Teaching & Assessment
Teaching is Very Good in KG, Primary, and Middle, improving to Outstanding in Secondary due to effective professional development. Teachers plan imaginative lessons, ensuring active student engagement. Assessment is consistently Outstanding, with data effectively used to personalize learning and impact teaching.
Curriculum Design & Adaptation
The curriculum is Outstanding across all phases, being well-structured, flexible, and inclusive. It aligns with national priorities, meets diverse student needs through innovative transition arrangements and targeted modifications, and effectively promotes enterprise, innovation, and appreciation for UAE heritage and culture.
Protection, Care & Support
The school provides Outstanding protection, care, guidance, and support. It maintains robust safeguarding systems, comprehensive health and safety protocols, and well-equipped facilities. Exemplary care and comprehensive support are provided for students with additional learning needs through highly effective individualized development plans and dedicated policies.
Areas for Development
- •Raise students’ attainment and progress to an outstanding level in all core subjects and phases by strengthening students' writing skills, expanding hands-on learning, and increasing technology use for individualized progress.
- •Improve strategies and provision for effective teaching, assessment, and curriculum by consistently applying differentiation, strengthening analysis of additional learning needs data, and expanding opportunities for age-appropriate research.
- •Ensure school targets are met and high outcomes are sustained in TIMSS, PISA, and PIRLS international assessments by identifying areas for improvement in reading literacy, implementing targeted interventions, and providing teacher training.
- •Improve the impact of school leadership further by focusing on the impact of professional development initiatives, ensuring self-evaluation reflects initiative impact, and strengthening monitoring of teaching and learning.