International Community Schools - Danah, Abu Dhabi
ADEK Inspection Report & Ratings
Last updated
Executive Summary
International Community Schools - Danah maintains its overall Good rating in the latest ADEK Irtiqa inspection for the 2024-2025 academic year. The school, offering a British curriculum, demonstrates solid performance with several areas of strength and notable improvements since the previous inspection.
Significant progress has been observed in English, Mathematics, and Science attainment across various phases, attributed to enhanced teaching practices. Students consistently show a strong understanding and respect for Islamic values and Emirati heritage. The curriculum is broad, and assessment practices have improved to be more accurate and data-driven, supported by a new Senior Leadership Team.
While the school exhibits Very Good features in health, safety, care, and support for students, and in aspects of leadership and management, areas for development include raising achievement standards across all subjects, particularly in Arabic language skills and scientific/mathematical investigations. Further enhancements in teaching strategies, student collaboration, and leadership impact are recommended to achieve a Very Good rating.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
International Community Schools - Danah Overall Rating
Good
ADEK Performance Standards
The six Irtiqa inspection standards used by ADEK to evaluate school performance across Abu Dhabi.
Students' attainment and progress show overall good performance with notable improvements in English, Mathematics, and Science across several phases. While Arabic as a first language is consistently good, Arabic as a second language faces challenges due to newcomer students. Standardized assessment results indicate areas for improvement to meet international benchmarks. EnglishMathematicsScienceArabic as a first language
Students' personal development and social responsibility are rated as acceptable, indicating room for growth in fostering contributions to the community. However, students demonstrate a strong understanding of Islamic values and a clear awareness of Emirati and world cultures. Islamic valuesEmirati and world cultures
Teaching practices are generally good, with improvements noted in Phase 1 and consistency in Phase 2. Assessment practices have significantly improved across all phases, moving from acceptable to good, driven by the new Senior Leadership Team's focus on refining processes for accuracy and targeted support. Assessment practicesSenior Leadership Team
The curriculum design and adaptation are evaluated as good across all phases. It offers a broad range of subjects and extra-curricular activities that cater to students' academic, creative, and social development. Curriculum designCurriculum adaptationextra-curricular activities
Health and safety provisions are a strong feature, consistently rated as very good. The care and support for students have improved from good to very good, primarily due to enhanced identification procedures and effective support systems for students. Health and safetyCare and supportidentification procedures
Leadership and management show positive improvement, with governance and the management of facilities, staffing, and resources improving to very good. The effectiveness of leadership, self-evaluation, improvement planning, and partnerships with parents and the community remain good. GovernanceManagement, staffing, facilities and resourcesSenior Leadership Team
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Improved English Achievement
Students' attainment and progress in English have improved across Cycles 1, 2, and 3, moving from acceptable to good.
Strong Islamic Values
Students across the school demonstrate a clear understanding and respect for Islamic values, actively engaging in cultural events and national celebrations.
Broad Curriculum Offerings
The curriculum provides a wide range of subjects and extra-curricular activities, fostering students' academic, creative, and social development.
Robust Safeguarding
The school has robust procedures for safeguarding, with teachers fostering positive relationships to create a supportive and respectful environment for students.
Effective Governance
The governing board effectively monitors student outcomes, supports school resources, and holds senior leaders accountable for operations, improving to 'Very Good'.
Enhanced Assessment Practices
Assessment practices have improved across all phases, moving from acceptable to good, driven by strategic efforts of the new Senior Leadership Team.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Overall achievement in Arabic-medium subjects has improved, with some phases maintaining previous performance and others experiencing regressions. English-medium subjects show improvement in some phases, consistency in others, and a few areas of regression. Performance in standardized and international assessments (GL, IBT, PISA) is generally below expectations, with a commitment to improvement through targeted interventions.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
The school's leadership has shown positive improvement, particularly in governance and operational management, driven by an effective new Senior Leadership Team. While key aspects like leadership effectiveness and self-evaluation remain good, there is a clear focus on continuous improvement and accountability, with a commitment to addressing areas for development.
Inspection Findings
Students' Achievement
Students demonstrate good attainment and progress in English, Mathematics, and Science across several phases, with notable improvements. Arabic as a first language is consistently good, but Arabic as a second language and some standardized assessment results show areas needing targeted intervention.
Personal & Social Development
Students' personal development and social responsibility are acceptable, with some discipline challenges in Cycle 2 boys. However, students show a strong understanding of Islamic values and a clear awareness of Emirati and world cultures, actively participating in cultural events.
Teaching & Assessment
Teaching for effective learning is generally good, though Cycle 2 shows acceptable ratings due to engagement and classroom management challenges. Assessment practices have improved to good across all phases, attributed to the new SLT's strategic efforts in refining processes for accuracy and targeted support.
Curriculum Design & Adaptation
Curriculum design and adaptation are rated as good across all phases. The curriculum is broad, offering a range of subjects and extra-curricular activities that support students' academic, creative, and social development, with a focus on integrating international assessment preparation.
Protection, Care & Support
Health and safety, including child protection and safeguarding, are very good. Care and support for students have also improved to very good, driven by enhanced identification procedures and effective support for students of determination and those with additional learning needs.
Areas for Development
- •Raise standards of achievement in all subjects to very good by developing Arabic language skills, particularly reading comprehension and writing skills through more consistent use of standard Arabic in all phases.
- •Enhance students’ speaking and communication skills, particularly in Arabic as a second language, and increase the use of reading resources in the library, including digital books with a particular focus on Arabic.
- •Ensure that students practice The Holy Quran recitation skills and improve their understanding of the prescribed Hadeeth and Surahs across all phases, more consistently.
- •Enhance students’ speaking skills in English, including extending their range of vocabulary to support learning in other curriculum areas.
- •Provide more opportunities for hands-on scientific and mathematical investigations in lower phases and enhance opportunities for students to use technology more effectively.
- •Improve the students’ research skills and critical thinking in all subjects, using a range of resources, including digital technology, and providing more opportunities for them to present their work in class.
- •Further enhance the quality of teaching and assessment to at least a very good rating by applying a wider range of teaching strategies and resources so that lessons are more student-centered in all subjects but particularly in Arabic as a second language and Islamic education.
- •Increase opportunities for students to collaborate and interact more frequently in lessons, particularly in Arabic as a second language and English.
- •Use assessment data more effectively to inform teaching, modify the curriculum and personalize learning so that all groups of students make the progress of which they are capable.
- •Ensure that students engage more effectively in self and peer assessment to help them identify their strengths and areas for improvement.
- •Ensure that the curriculum is well adapted and modified to meet the needs of higher attaining students, the gifted and talented and Arabic second language learners.
- •Provide more opportunities for students to be creative and innovative in lessons and expanding links with the wider community.
- •Improve the impact of school leadership to a very good level by engaging all stakeholders, including parents, in the school’s self-evaluation (SEF) process, and using a range of evidence to ensure accurate judgments.
- •Ensure that the SEF clearly identifies all areas for development and is closely linked with the school development plan (SDP).
- •Provide high-quality external professional development for leaders and especially middle leaders to enhance their understanding of best practices in teaching and learning.
- •Review the provision and structure of technology resources in the school to optimize its impact on student learning.
- •Review the school's approach to communication with parents to ensure that they have a better understanding of how high attendance rates is closely linked to positive student outcomes.