Horizons English School, Dubai
KHDA Inspection Report & Ratings 2019
Last updated
Executive Summary
Horizons English School has achieved an Outstanding overall quality of education for the 2023-2024 academic year. The school is recognized for its high standards across all aspects of provision, fostering a nurturing and caring ethos that supports student growth and flourishing.
Students demonstrate outstanding attainment and progress in English, mathematics, and science across both Foundation Stage and Primary phases. Learning skills are well developed, and teaching quality is of the highest standard, with a curriculum that is very well aligned to UK requirements and effectively enhanced through various experiences.
The school benefits from strong leadership at all levels, with the new principal contributing effectively to an already high-quality team. Accurate self-evaluation, positive partnerships with parents, and rigorous yet supportive governance ensure continuous improvement and high-quality resources, contributing to a palpable sense of wellbeing among staff and students.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Horizons English School Overall Rating
Outstanding for 4+ consecutive years
Dubai Focus Areas
These three pillars represent the Dubai education authority's priorities: ensuring inclusive practices, prioritizing student wellbeing, and meeting UAE National Agenda targets.
Horizons English School demonstrates an exceptionally strong ethos of inclusion, supported by expert leadership and a commitment to professional training for teachers. Comprehensive approaches ensure early identification and intervention, with highly detailed reports and effective parental engagement in IEPs. This leads to outstanding progress for most students of determination in key subjects and personal development. students of determinationNew Horizons education pathwaysindividual education plans (IEPs)
The school's inspiring vision fosters a flourishing community where students, staff, and parents thrive. Leaders effectively gather and analyze wellbeing data, informing innovative planning. Student leadership, parental contributions, and staff inputs collectively drive exceptional wellbeing initiatives, ensuring all-round care and supporting physical, social, emotional, and psychological wellbeing through a well-planned curriculum and events like 'Global Be Well' days. flourishing school communityGlobal Be Well daysonline safety
Horizons English School has exceeded its PIRLS target and achieved outstanding outcomes in English, mathematics, and science in National Agenda Parameter (NAP) assessments. Outcomes for Emirati students are good in English and mathematics, and very good in science, showing improvement due to successful strategies. Leadership demonstrates outstanding commitment with clear action plans, rigorous data analysis, and effective interventions to improve whole school and Emirati student results. PIRLS targetNational Agenda Parameter (NAP)Emirati students
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Academic Excellence
Students consistently achieve outstanding outcomes and make rapid progress in English, mathematics, and science across both Foundation Stage and Primary phases.
Caring Community Culture
The school fosters a strong community ethos and a deeply caring culture, which significantly contributes to a high level of wellbeing among all students and staff.
Outstanding Foundation Stage
The Foundation Stage provides exceptionally high-quality provision, leading to outstanding outcomes and rapid progress for young learners.
Seamless Curriculum
The curriculum is skilfully taught, ensuring smooth and effective transitions for students as they progress between different educational phases.
Strong Leadership & Governance
The school benefits from robust leadership across all levels, positive contributions from staff, and effective support and challenge from its governors.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Students' attainment and progress are outstanding in English, mathematics, and science across both Foundation Stage and Primary phases. Islamic Education and Arabic show good or very good outcomes, with learning skills consistently outstanding.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
The leadership team, including the new principal, operates seamlessly and effectively, driving the school to maintain the highest standards. They foster a strong community culture and a positive ethos of care and wellbeing, supported by rigorous self-evaluation, effective parental engagement, and strong governance that holds leaders accountable while providing support.
Inspection Findings
Students' Outcomes
Students demonstrate outstanding attainment and rapid progress in English, mathematics, and science across both Foundation Stage and Primary. Learning skills are exceptionally well developed, and students' personal and social skills are exemplary, showing strong understanding of Islamic values, Emirati culture, and environmental awareness.
Personal Development
Students exhibit exemplary personal and social skills, including resilience, a strong work ethic, and a sense of personal responsibility. They show excellent attitudes to learning, exemplary behavior, and a strong commitment to a safe and healthy lifestyle. Their understanding of Islamic values, Emirati culture, and world cultures is outstanding, contributing to a proactive and responsible community spirit.
Teaching Quality
The quality of teaching is of the highest standard, with teachers expertly tailoring explanations and questioning to meet diverse student needs. Assessment practices are highly effective, consistently monitoring progress and providing helpful feedback. In the Foundation Stage, teachers ensure children are active and fully engaged, promoting critical thinking and effectively challenging higher-attaining students.
Protection & Care
The school implements highly successful arrangements for child protection and safeguarding, ensuring a nurturing and caring ethos. Premises and facilities are rigorously maintained for safety, and students receive comprehensive life skills education. Exemplary relationships between students and staff, coupled with effective diagnostic assessments, ensure outstanding care and support for all learners, including those with gifts and talents.
Areas for Development
- •In Islamic education and Arabic raise teachers’ expectations to improve attainment and accelerate students' progress.
- •Ensure the curriculum in Islamic Education and Arabic are fully compliant with MoE expectations.
- •Raise standards of reading literacy for Emirati students and for other groups where necessary.
- •Ensure that all students, especially in Years 5 and 6, demonstrate understanding of how they can stay safe when online.
- •Ensure consistency in students’ memorisation of required verses of the Holy Qur’an.
- •Improve students’ use of resources to support their responses.
- •Ensure that all teachers have the highest expectations of what students can achieve and plan to improve students’ analytical skills.
- •Improve students’ speaking and presentation skills.
- •Improve students’ conversation and listening comprehension skills.
- •Develop students’ proficiency to be independent of the use of scaffolds.
- •Strengthen presentation and handwriting skills.
- •Provide more opportunities for students to explore mathematical concepts independently.
- •Provide more activities for students in Years 1 and 2 to explore concepts and plan enquiries.
- •Exploit all opportunities that arise to consolidate students’ learning by making links with the wider world.
- •Create further innovative contexts for students of determination to develop their capacity for independent and collaborative learning.