Japanese School
Executive Summary
The Japanese School in Abu Dhabi has maintained its overall Very Good rating in the AY 2025/26 ADEK Irtiqa inspection. This sustained performance is notable given recent challenges, including high staff turnover and ongoing changes in the Japanese student population. The school continues to uphold its reputation for providing a high-quality Japanese curriculum.
Key strengths include Very Good attainment and progress in Japanese-medium subjects, mathematics, and science across all phases. Students demonstrate strong learning skills, enthusiasm, and effective communication. The curriculum is well-sequenced and aligned with the Japanese National Curriculum, effectively preparing students for progression.
While overall performance is strong, the inspection highlights areas for development, particularly in strengthening Arabic-medium subjects and English, enhancing curriculum adaptation, and refining self-evaluation processes. The school's commitment to authentic Japanese education, enriched by Japan-UAE partnerships, fosters confident and independent learners.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Japanese School Overall Rating
Very Good
ADEK Performance Standards
The six Irtiqa inspection standards used by ADEK to evaluate school performance across Abu Dhabi.
Students consistently achieve very good attainment and progress in Japanese-medium subjects, mathematics, and science across all phases. Learning skills are a particular strength, with students demonstrating enthusiasm, clear communication, and increasing independence. While English attainment is good, progress has declined in Phase 2, and Arabic-medium subjects show varied but generally good or acceptable achievement. learning skillsJapanese-medium subjectsmathematicsscience
Students exhibit very good personal development, characterized by positive attitudes, respect, and strong attendance. Islamic values and cultural awareness are good, with active participation in UAE and Japanese events. Social responsibility is also good, though innovation and entrepreneurial skills require further development. positive attitudesIslamic valuesEmirati culture
Teaching practices are consistently very good, particularly in Japanese-medium subjects, where lessons are well-structured and engaging. Assessment is also very good, with effective use of ongoing feedback in Japanese-medium subjects. However, teaching in Arabic-medium subjects tends to be more textbook-led, and there is some variation in practice across subjects and phases. Japanese-medium subjectseffective questioningverbal feedback
The curriculum design and implementation are very good, with the Japanese National Curriculum carefully scaffolded and regularly reviewed. Cross-curricular links are effective within Japanese-medium subjects. Curriculum adaptation is good, benefiting Emirati learners, but extracurricular provision is limited, and adaptation in Arabic-medium subjects needs more consistency. Japanese National Curriculumcross-curricular linksEmirati learners
Health and safety have regressed from Outstanding to Very Good, with rigorous safeguarding procedures but variable monitoring and risks from aging facilities. Care and support remain very good, fostering positive staff-student relationships and effective guidance for Emirati students. However, early identification and systematic support for students with additional learning needs and gifted learners are not yet fully developed. safeguarding proceduresstaff-student relationshipsEmirati students
Leadership provides a clear vision and strategic direction, sustaining overall very good performance. The effectiveness of leadership is very good, balancing UAE and Japanese MEXT requirements. However, self-evaluation and improvement planning have regressed to good, lacking sufficient rigor in monitoring teaching quality. Management is good, but aging facilities and uneven resourcing require improvement. clear visionstrategic directionJapanese MEXT requirements
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Students' Learning Skills
Students demonstrate strong learning skills and enthusiasm for learning across all phases, showing increasing independence and clear communication.
High-Quality Teaching
The school provides high-quality teaching for effective learning and assessment, particularly evident in Japanese- and English-medium subjects.
Coherent Japanese Curriculum
The curriculum is coherent, well-sequenced, and aligned with the Japanese National Curriculum, effectively preparing students for progression.
Authentic Japanese Education
Authentic Japanese education, enriched through strong Japan-UAE partnerships, develops confident, independent learners with secure Japanese language skills and intercultural understanding.
Sustained Overall Performance
The school has sustained its overall Very Good performance despite challenges such as high staff turnover and changes in student demographics.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
The leadership team at the Japanese School provides a clear vision and strategic direction, effectively balancing UAE priorities with Japanese MEXT requirements. They foster positive staff morale and a shared commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring secure oversight through regular reporting to the Japanese MEXT.
Inspection Findings
Students' Achievement
Students demonstrate strong attainment and progress in Japanese-medium subjects, mathematics, and science across all phases. While Islamic Education and UAE Social Studies are generally good, Arabic-medium subjects show some variability, and English progress has seen a decline in Phase 2. Learning skills are a significant strength, but critical thinking and problem-solving need further development.
Personal & Social Development
Students show very good personal development, marked by positive attitudes, respect, and high attendance. Their understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures is good, with active participation in cultural events. Social responsibility is also good, but innovation and entrepreneurial skills are still limited.
Teaching & Assessment
Teaching is very good overall, particularly effective in Japanese-medium subjects with well-structured and engaging lessons. Assessment practices are also very good, utilizing ongoing assessment and verbal feedback effectively in Japanese-medium subjects. However, teaching in Arabic-medium subjects is often textbook-led, and there is some inconsistency in practice across different subjects and phases.
Curriculum Design & Adaptation
The curriculum design and implementation are very good, based on the carefully scaffolded Japanese National Curriculum with clear progression and regular review. Cross-curricular links are strong within Japanese-medium subjects. Curriculum adaptation is good, especially for Emirati learners, but extracurricular offerings are limited, and adaptation in Arabic-medium subjects needs to be more consistent.
Protection, Care & Support
Health and safety have regressed to very good, with robust safeguarding but inconsistent monitoring and risks from aging facilities. Care and support remain very good, characterized by positive staff-student relationships and effective guidance for Emirati students. A key area for development is the systematic identification and support for students with additional learning needs and gifted learners.
Areas for Development
- •Raise students’ attainment and progress so outcomes are consistently Very Good or better across all core subjects and phases.
- •Improve curriculum adaptation, teaching, and assessment so practice is consistently secure and responsive across subjects and phases.
- •Further strengthen leadership, governance, and self-evaluation to secure sustained improvement.