Liwa International School - Mushrif
Executive Summary
Liwa International School - Mushrif, an American curriculum school, has maintained its overall ADEK Irtiqa rating of Good in the 2024-2025 academic year inspection. The school demonstrates a commitment to providing a supportive learning environment, with notable strengths in student achievement and leadership.
The inspection highlights significant academic improvements, particularly in Phase 1 (KG and Primary), where English, Mathematics, and Science achievements have risen to Very Good. The curriculum is effectively planned to develop students' knowledge and skills, preparing them well for future educational stages. Teaching practices in KG are particularly effective in engaging young learners.
The school implements rigorous safeguarding procedures and provides effective support for students with additional learning needs, including students of determination. Leadership, supported by an Outstanding governing board, is strategic and purposeful, driving continuous improvement and fostering a positive and inclusive school culture.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Liwa International School - Mushrif 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' achievement is Good overall, with notable improvements in Phase 1 across English, Mathematics, and Science to Very Good. Attainment and progress in Islamic Education and Arabic as a first language have improved to Good in later phases, and Arabic as a second language progress is now Good across all phases. However, some subjects and phases show inconsistencies, with a regression in Mathematics in Phase 3. Phase 1 achievementsIslamic EducationArabic
Students demonstrate Very Good personal development, characterized by positive behavior and respectful relationships. Their understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures is Good. However, social responsibility and innovation skills are rated Acceptable, indicating areas for further development in initiative and entrepreneurial abilities. Personal DevelopmentIslamic valuesEmirati culture
Teaching for effective learning has improved to Very Good in Phase 1, where teachers consistently engage young students with stimulating activities. Assessment practices remain Good across all phases, effectively monitoring student progress. However, there is a need for more consistent application of differentiation strategies and effective use of assessment data to inform teaching and provide challenging feedback. effective teachingdifferentiation strategiesassessment practices
Curriculum design and implementation are Very Good across all phases, effectively developing students' knowledge and skills for future education. Curriculum adaptation is Good, successfully meeting diverse student needs. Opportunities for developing innovation, enterprise, and creativity skills, however, are inconsistent. curriculum designcurriculum adaptationinnovation skills
The school maintains Very Good health and safety standards, including rigorous child protection and safeguarding procedures. Provision for care and support has improved to Very Good, with effective processes for identifying and supporting students of determination. An area for improvement remains the management of attendance and punctuality. safeguarding procedureschild protectionstudents of determination
Leadership and management are Very Good overall, with Governance rated Outstanding. The effectiveness of leadership, partnerships with parents, and management of staffing and resources are Very Good. Self-evaluation and improvement planning are Good, with new leadership demonstrating a clear understanding of school priorities and driving improvements. Governanceeffectiveness of leadershipimprovement planning
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Phase 1 Achievements
Students in KG and Primary (Phase 1) demonstrate Very Good achievements in English, Mathematics, and Science.
Positive Student Behavior
Students across the school exhibit positive behavior and maintain strong, respectful relationships with peers and teachers.
Effective KG Teaching
Teachers in KG consistently apply effective teaching strategies to engage young students in stimulating and enjoyable activities.
Robust Safeguarding
The school implements rigorous and comprehensive safeguarding procedures, including child protection measures, ensuring student safety.
Strong SEND Support
Well-established and effective processes are in place for identifying and supporting students with additional learning needs, including students of determination.
Outstanding Governance
The governing board demonstrates outstanding effectiveness, supporting strategic and purposeful leadership committed to school improvement.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Overall student achievement has remained Good, with significant improvements in Phase 1 across English, Mathematics, and Science. Attainment in Islamic Education and Arabic as a first language has improved in later phases, and progress in Arabic as a second language is now Good across all phases. However, some regressions in Mathematics attainment were noted in Middle and Secondary phases.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
The newly appointed principal and senior leaders have introduced innovative practices that have led to improvements in key aspects of the school. They demonstrate a clear and accurate understanding of the school’s priorities for further improvement, fostering a positive and inclusive culture through strategic and purposeful leadership.
Inspection Findings
Students' Achievement
Students consistently attain above Ministry of Education curriculum standards in Islamic Education and Arabic, with most students demonstrating strong subject knowledge and skills. In English, students in KG and Secondary show strong speaking, reading, and listening skills, though extended writing needs development across phases. Mathematics attainment is strong in KG and Primary, but application to real-world contexts and complex scenarios requires further development in Middle and Secondary phases. Science attainment and progress are strong across all phases, with improvements noted in practical investigative skills.
Personal & Social Development
Students exhibit Very Good personal development, characterized by positive behavior and respectful relationships. Their understanding of Islamic values and awareness of Emirati and world cultures is Good. However, students' innovation, initiative, and entrepreneurial skills are inconsistent across subjects and phases, rated Acceptable, indicating a need for further development in these areas.
Teaching & Assessment
Teaching for effective learning is Very Good in KG, where teachers skillfully engage young students. Across other phases, teaching is Good, with assessment practices also rated Good. However, there is a need for more consistent application of planned differentiation strategies, promotion of independent learning and critical thinking, and effective use of assessment information to provide challenging feedback with clear next steps.
Curriculum Design & Adaptation
Curriculum design and implementation are Very Good across all phases, effectively preparing students for the next stage of education by developing strong knowledge, skills, and understanding. Curriculum adaptation is Good, successfully meeting the diverse needs of almost all students. However, opportunities to develop students' innovation, enterprise, and creativity skills are inconsistent and require further enhancement.
Protection, Care & Support
The school maintains Very Good standards for health and safety, including rigorous child protection and safeguarding procedures. Provision for care and support has improved to Very Good, with robust processes for identifying and supporting students with additional learning needs, including students of determination. An identified area for improvement is the management of student attendance and punctuality.
Areas for Development
- •Raise students’ attainment and progress to a consistently Very Good level in all core subjects and phases by enhancing recitation skills in Islamic Education, improving extended and creative writing in English and Arabic, promoting practical investigative skills in Science, and developing independent learning, innovation, enterprise, and critical thinking skills.
- •Improve strategies and provision for effective teaching and assessment by ensuring planned differentiation strategies are consistently delivered, promoting independent learning and critical thinking, effectively using assessment information, and providing consistently effective feedback with clear next steps and challenging targets.
- •Further improve the impact of school leadership by reviewing systems for promoting regular attendance and punctuality, fully embedding the involvement of all stakeholders in the self-evaluation process, and strengthening the link between identified priorities and improvement plans.
- •Raise students’ performance in international assessments by embedding systematic practice aligned to international frameworks, ensuring all subject teachers are trained on Depth of Knowledge (DOK) questioning and data-driven personalized support, and expanding parental awareness of assessment frameworks and home support strategies.