Khalifah Al Hamza American Private School
Executive Summary
Khalifah Al Hamza American Private School received a Good overall effectiveness rating in its latest SPEA inspection, marking an improvement from its previous 'Acceptable' rating. Established in January 2019 to serve the local community, the school provides a comprehensive American curriculum within well-equipped premises.
The school demonstrates strong academic performance in Phase 1 and improving achievement in most subjects in Phase 2. Students exhibit good learning skills and positive personal and social development, alongside a deep understanding of Islamic values and Emirati culture. The curriculum is broad, balanced, and effectively aligned with American Common Core State Standards and UAE Ministry of Education requirements.
Effective safeguarding procedures and a clear leadership vision contribute significantly to the school's positive environment and continuous improvement journey. However, areas for development include enhancing students' achievement in English in Phases 2 and 3, strengthening critical thinking and innovation skills, and improving the effective use of assessment data for curriculum modification.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Khalifah Al Hamza American Private School Overall Rating
Good
SPEA Performance Standards
The performance standards used by SPEA to evaluate school quality across Sharjah.
Provision for students of determination is planned through Individual Educational Plans (IEPs), though the consistent implementation of this support in lessons varies. While care and support are generally good, the school needs to ensure consistent challenge and support for all students, including those with special educational needs and gifted and talented students. Individual Educational Plansstudents of determinationgifted and talented
The school provides good protection, care, guidance, and support for its students, with effective procedures for health, safety, and safeguarding. Students demonstrate a sound understanding of safe and healthy lives, actively participating in anti-bullying initiatives and e-safety awareness programs. safeguardingwellbeinganti-bullyinge-safety
While students demonstrate a good understanding of Islamic values and a strong pride in UAE culture and heritage, performance in external benchmarking tests such as MAP is identified as weak in several core subjects. The school integrates UAE links into the curriculum and fosters social responsibility through community activities. Islamic valuesUAE cultureMAP testingsocial responsibility
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Conducive Learning Environment
Phase 1 benefits from a highly supportive and effective learning environment that facilitates strong teaching practices and student engagement.
Improving Student Achievement
Children in Phase 1 show good achievement, with students in Phase 2 demonstrating improving academic outcomes across most subjects.
Strong Cultural Understanding
Students across all phases exhibit a deep understanding of Islamic values and a strong sense of pride in the UAE's rich culture and society.
Effective Safeguarding
The school has robust and effective procedures in place for safeguarding children and students, ensuring their well-being and safety.
Clear Leadership Direction
The school's leadership team demonstrates a clear understanding of its strengths and provides strong direction for securing continuous improvements.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Students' achievement is good overall, with notable strengths in Phase 1 and improving trends in Phase 2. However, attainment in external benchmarking tests (MAP) is weak across English, Mathematics, and Science. Internal assessment data often overestimates actual observed attainment in lessons.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
The leadership team, including the new principal who joined in January 2024, demonstrates a clear understanding of the school's strengths and a strong direction for securing further improvements. They are supported by a capable middle leadership team and are committed to continuous improvement, engaging effectively with parents and the wider community.
Inspection Findings
Students' Outcomes
Students' achievement is good overall, with strong performance in Phase 1 and improving outcomes in Phase 2 across most subjects. Students demonstrate good learning skills, though critical thinking, innovation, and enterprise skills require further development across all phases.
Personal Development
Students exhibit good personal and social development, displaying positive attitudes, self-discipline, and respectful relationships. They have a strong understanding of Islamic values and pride in Emirati culture, actively participating in school and community initiatives. Attendance is very good across all phases.
Teaching Quality
Teaching for effective learning is good, characterized by teachers' secure subject knowledge, purposeful lesson planning, and effective use of resources and technology. Assessment is acceptable, with coherent processes in Phase 1, but the analysis and use of data to tailor learning needs, especially in Phases 2 and 3, require improvement.
Protection & Care
The school provides good protection, care, guidance, and support for students. Effective safeguarding procedures are in place, and students demonstrate a sound understanding of healthy and safe lifestyles. Care and support are consistently good, fostering a secure and nurturing environment.
Areas for Development
- •Students’ achievement in English in Phases 2 and 3.
- •Students’ learning skills of critical thinking, innovation, and enterprise across all phases.
- •The effective use and analysis of assessment information to track students’ progress across the school.
- •The modification of the curriculum across the school to provide effective support to all students, including students with special educational needs (SEN) and gifted and talented (G&T) students.