Indian School - Al Ain
Executive Summary
The Indian School - Al Ain has maintained its overall Good rating in the latest ADEK Irtiqa inspection for the 2024-2025 academic year. The school, which follows an Indian curriculum, demonstrates consistent performance across most key areas, with particular strengths noted in student achievement and personal development. The inspection, conducted from 14 to 17 October 2024, highlights the school's commitment to providing a supportive learning environment.
Students generally achieve well in most subjects, reflecting effective teaching and learning practices. Notable improvements were observed in Islamic Education and Arabic as a second language, with very good progress now evident in English, Mathematics, and Science in the Primary phase. The school fosters positive and responsible student attitudes, promoting strong relationships among peers and staff, and ensuring a clear understanding of Islamic values and their role in UAE society.
The school maintains a clean and safe environment, prioritizing student well-being and actively promoting environmental awareness. Strong partnerships with parents are a key feature, fostering collaboration in the educational process. While leadership remains Good, with governance improving, there is a recognized need to enhance the accuracy of self-evaluation using assessment data.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Indian School - Al Ain Overall Rating
Good for 2+ consecutive years
ADEK Performance Standards
The six Irtiqa inspection standards used by ADEK to evaluate school performance across Abu Dhabi.
Students achieve well in most subjects across the school, with improvements noted in Islamic Education and Arabic as a second language. Very good progress is now evident in English, Mathematics, and Science in the Primary phase, and very good achievements in Science were sustained in the Secondary phase. However, attainment in some standardized assessments remains weak in certain phases and subjects. Islamic EducationArabic as a second languageEnglishMathematicsScience
Students exhibit very good personal development, demonstrating positive and responsible attitudes and fostering strong relationships. They show a clear understanding of Islamic values and their role in UAE society. Social responsibility and innovation skills are rated as Good, though understanding of Emirati and world cultures is Acceptable. Personal DevelopmentIslamic valuesSocial responsibility
Teaching for effective learning is generally Good across the school, with Very Good practice observed in the Secondary phase. However, the quality of assessment is consistently Acceptable across all phases, indicating a need for more precise use of assessment information to adapt activities and provide targeted feedback. Teaching for effective learningAssessment
Curriculum design and implementation are Good across all phases, providing a broad and balanced educational experience. However, curriculum adaptation is rated as Acceptable due to a need for greater precision in modifying provision to meet the diverse needs of all student groups, including lower-attaining, high-attaining, and gifted and talented students. Curriculum design and implementationCurriculum adaptation
Health and safety arrangements, including child protection and safeguarding, are Good. However, the overall care and support for students have slipped to Acceptable levels, primarily due to insufficient support for some groups of students, particularly those with additional learning needs. Health and safetyCare and supportchild protection
The effectiveness of leadership is Good, with governance improving from Acceptable to Good. Management, staffing, facilities, and resources are also Good, and the school fosters strong partnerships with parents and the community. However, the quality of school self-evaluation and improvement planning has regressed to Acceptable, requiring a greater focus on accuracy in using assessment data. Effectiveness of leadershipGovernanceSelf-evaluation and improvement planning
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Strong Student Achievement
Students achieve well in most subjects, with notable improvements in Islamic Education and Arabic, and very good progress in English, Math, and Science in Primary.
Positive Personal Development
Students exhibit very good personal development, positive attitudes, and strong relationships with peers and staff.
Islamic Values Understanding
Students display a clear understanding of Islamic values and their significant role in shaping contemporary UAE society.
Safe & Supportive Environment
The school provides a clean and safe environment, prioritizing students’ safety, comfort, and well-being.
Strong Parent Partnership
The school successfully builds a strong partnership with parents, fostering collaboration and engagement in the educational process.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Achievement in most subjects has remained good, with some improvements in Islamic Education and Arabic as a second language. Very good progress is now noted in English, mathematics, and science in Phase 1, and very good achievements in science were sustained in Phase 4.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
The leadership team, despite recent changes, maintains a Good overall effectiveness. While governance has improved, the school's self-evaluation and improvement planning require strengthening, particularly in the accurate use of assessment data to inform strategic decisions. The leadership fosters strong community and parent partnerships and ensures effective management of school resources.
Inspection Findings
Students' Achievement
Students generally attain above curriculum standards in Islamic Education and Arabic as a second language, with improvements noted. Progress in English, Mathematics, and Science in the Primary phase is very good. However, attainment in some standardized assessments (ACER IBT) is weak in certain phases, and there are inconsistencies between internal assessment data and observed classroom performance.
Personal & Social Development
Students demonstrate very good personal development, exhibiting positive attitudes, responsibility, and strong relationships. Their understanding of Islamic values is clear, but awareness of Emirati and world cultures is acceptable. Social responsibility and innovation skills are good, though there is scope for further development in critical thinking and problem-solving.
Teaching & Assessment
Teaching for effective learning is good, with teachers acting as facilitators and guides. However, assessment practices are consistently acceptable across all phases, indicating a need for more precise use of assessment information to differentiate activities and provide more effective feedback to students on how to improve their work.
Curriculum Design & Adaptation
Curriculum design and implementation are good, providing a structured and empowering learning experience. However, curriculum adaptation is acceptable, highlighting a need for greater precision in modifying provision to ensure work is consistently matched to the specific needs of all student groups, including lower-attaining, high-attaining, and gifted and talented students.
Protection, Care & Support
Health and safety arrangements, including child protection and safeguarding, are good, ensuring a clean and safe environment. However, the overall care and support for students are acceptable, primarily due to the need for better support for some groups of students, including those of determination, to ensure they make expected progress.
Areas for Development
- •Raise the standard of achievement in all subjects to a very good level by ensuring activities are always differentiated, making greater use of assessment information, improving creative and extended writing skills, developing independent practical and investigative skills, improving collaboration, and enhancing innovation and enterprise skills.
- •Improve the quality of teaching, learning and assessment to a very good level by enhancing teachers’ open-ended questioning skills, ensuring sufficient opportunities for critical thinking and independent learning with increased differentiation, matching work to the needs of all students, and improving the quality of marking and feedback.
- •Strengthen leadership and management by ensuring middle leaders receive appropriate professional development for monitoring teaching and learning, devising innovative strategies for improving overall attendance, making full and accurate use of all assessment data for self-evaluation, and ensuring self-evaluation informs the school improvement plan.