Kent College, Dubai
KHDA Inspection Report & Ratings
Last updated
Executive Summary
Kent College L.L.C - FZ provides a Very Good quality of education, as affirmed by the 2023-2024 inspection. The school has demonstrated improvements in various aspects, including students' achievements in science in the Foundation Stage, Islamic Education, Arabic as a first language in Primary, and English in Primary, Secondary, and Post-16. Notably, achievement in mathematics in Secondary has reached an Outstanding level.
Students across all phases exhibit excellent self-discipline and positive attitudes towards learning, with a strong understanding of Islamic values and Emirati heritage. Teaching quality has improved in the Foundation Stage and Primary, supported by effective assessment systems that inform lesson planning. The curriculum, aligned with the National Curriculum for England and the UAE Ministry of Education, is well-adapted in Primary and Secondary to meet individual student needs.
The school places the highest priority on student safety, with thorough and effective safeguarding procedures and consolidated high levels of care and guidance. Leadership has improved, with effective middle leaders and strong support from the executive team, contributing to rising student achievements. The school is fully inclusive, celebrating the achievements of all students and providing excellent support through counsellors and wellbeing champions.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Kent College L.L.C - FZ Overall Rating
Very Good
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.
The school maintains a very good inclusive ethos, valuing each student and ensuring consistent provision and outcomes for students of determination. Robust identification systems and effective planning lead to high-quality support, with most students making better than expected progress. Strong links with parents ensure their active involvement and benefit from guidance. inclusive ethosstudents of determinationrobust identification systems
Wellbeing provision and outcomes are at a very good level, with leaders committed to embedding wellbeing into school values. Comprehensive policies and a robust assessment approach support a positive environment. High commitment from all stakeholders, effective parent involvement, and rigorous monitoring ensure improved outcomes and high staff satisfaction. wellbeing provisionsupportive environmentcollaborative approach
The school's overall standards in the National Agenda Parameter are Outstanding. Performance in English and mathematics improved from very good to outstanding in NAP tests, while science remained outstanding. Leaders effectively use assessment results to adapt curriculum and teaching, with an appropriate emphasis on Emirati students. National Agenda ParameterPIRLSNAP testsEmirati students
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Inclusive & Supportive Environment
The school is fully inclusive, offering excellent care and support for all students, including those of determination.
Self-Disciplined Students
Students are highly self-disciplined, considerate, and demonstrate a strong desire to learn and take on responsibilities.
Strong Parent Partnerships
The school fosters supportive partnerships with parents, engaging them fully in school life and their children's learning.
Capable Leadership & Staff
The school benefits from capable leaders, very competent staff, and committed governors who drive improvement.
Safe Learning Environment
Students learn in safe, well-maintained learning and recreational areas, supported by high-quality resources.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Students' achievement shows significant improvements across various subjects and phases, particularly in science in FS, Islamic Education and Arabic (First Language) in Primary, and English across all phases. Mathematics in Secondary has reached an outstanding level. Learning skills are consistently very good across all phases.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
Leadership has improved, with middle leaders effectively supported by the executive team to raise student achievements. The leadership team has reviewed the school's mission and vision under new ownership, confirming their commitment to national priorities and core values. They demonstrate a strong understanding of the school and are successful in driving continuous improvement.
Inspection Findings
Students' Outcomes
Students demonstrate improved achievements in science in FS, Islamic Education and Arabic (First Language) in Primary, and English across all phases. Mathematics achievement in Secondary is outstanding. Students are highly self-disciplined, show excellent attitudes to learning, and are developing strong learning skills.
Personal Development
Students exhibit outstanding personal development, including excellent self-discipline, positive interactions, and care for diverse needs. They have a very good understanding of Islamic values and Emirati heritage, actively participate in cultural events, and demonstrate strong social responsibility and innovation skills, particularly in Secondary and Post-16.
Teaching Quality
Teaching for effective learning is very good across all phases, with teachers demonstrating strong subject knowledge and making learning relevant. Assessment procedures have improved and are very effective, with internal results aligning with external tests. Teachers effectively use assessment information to monitor progress and adapt teaching, particularly in English, mathematics, and science.
Protection & Care
Health and safety, including safeguarding, are very good across all phases, with thorough policies and procedures understood by staff. Care and support are outstanding, characterized by strong staff-student relationships and effective monitoring of behavior. Rigorous processes for identifying and supporting students of determination lead to high-quality provision and most students achieving their potential.
Areas for Development
- •Raise students’ achievement in all subjects to very good or better.
- •Focus on the progress of Emirati students when applying reading initiatives.
- •Ensure consistency of wellbeing experiences across subjects and phases.
- •Improve all students’ abilities to refer to the Holy Qur’an and Hadith.
- •Continue to improve students’ knowledge and application of Tajweed rules.
- •Improve planning to ensure that all language skills are appropriately developed in Arabic as a first language.
- •Develop the range of students’ vocabulary in Arabic as an additional language.
- •Ensure that learning activities are more closely matched to students’ abilities in Secondary Arabic as an additional language.
- •Improve students' written English, in particular the ability to write at length for a variety of audiences and purposes.
- •In FS Mathematics, develop children's progress and attainment further through the use of probing questions to support critical thinking, problem-solving and reasoning.
- •Extend the investigative skills that are evident in some Secondary and Post-16 Mathematics classes.
- •Ensure that activities in Primary Science are suitably challenging.
- •Implement further strategies to enable students to become self-reliant, independent learners.
- •Engage students further in activities that deepen their understanding of Islamic values and their influence on contemporary life in the UAE.
- •Ensure consistent, high-quality teaching across all subjects and phases.
- •Develop greater consistency in the effectiveness of assessment procedures in all subjects.
- •Apply appropriate modifications to the curriculum in FS and Post-16.
- •Fully embed strategies to promote students’ knowledge and understanding of Emirati traditions and culture in all stages.
- •Ensure that all safety procedures are observed by all staff.
- •Increase alternative pathways for students with more complex barriers to learning who are not able to access the main curriculum.