New Academy School
Executive Summary
The New Academy School provides a Good quality of education, with particular strengths observed in the Kindergarten (KG) and high school phases. Students demonstrate strong engagement in lessons, effectively utilizing technology for research and accessing learning materials, and are adept at connecting their learning to real-world contexts.
Students exhibit very positive attitudes, good behavior, and a solid understanding of Islamic values, UAE culture, and global cultures. Their social contributions and environmental awareness are notable strengths, with students leading projects that positively impact the school and, to a lesser extent, the local community. Teaching quality is Very Good in KG and Good in other phases, with effective health and safety procedures and good overall care and support.
Leadership is effectively distributed, and strategic plans align well with UAE and Dubai priorities. Parents express high satisfaction with the education provided, and governors effectively support leaders while holding them accountable for school performance. Resources and staffing are adequate to support good teaching and learning outcomes.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
New Academy School Overall Rating
Good for 2+ consecutive years
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 demonstrates a strong commitment to inclusion, welcoming students of determination and utilizing effective assessment procedures to identify their learning needs. Personalized intervention programs are planned to reduce learning barriers, and parents are actively involved and value the communication regarding their children's progress. Students of determination show good progress in academic and personal development. students of determinationpersonalized intervention programsparental involvement
The school has a good quality of wellbeing provision, with all stakeholders sharing a clear vision for a positive and inclusive environment. Data collection informs initiatives, fostering a supportive climate, and student voice, through the student council and clubs, impacts provision. Curriculum initiatives strategically advance student wellbeing, and online safety protocols are prioritized. positive and inclusive school environmentstudent council and clubsonline safety protocols
The school achieved a whole school score of 476 in PIRLS 2021, exceeding the target, though Emirati students were slightly below target. MAP benchmark tests showed good overall improvement, with very good in English and science. While leaders understand international assessment alignment, the National Agenda action plan lacks specific impact measures, and a comprehensive reading literacy plan is still developing. PIRLS 2021MAP benchmark testsreading literacyEmirati achievement
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Personal Development
Students show very good personal development, understanding of Islamic values, UAE culture, environmental awareness, and social contributions across all phases.
Health and Safety
The school has very effective procedures in place to ensure the health, safety, and wellbeing of all students and staff, including robust safeguarding arrangements.
KG Provision & Outcomes
The Kindergarten phase demonstrates high quality provision and children’s outcomes, with very good attainment and progress in key subjects and learning skills.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Students' attainment and progress range from acceptable to very good across subjects and phases, with specific strengths in KG and high school. Improvements are noted in English and Mathematics in certain phases.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
The leadership team at New Academy School demonstrates a good approach, characterized by effective distribution of leadership and strong alignment of strategic plans with national priorities. The principal ensures accountability and fosters high parent satisfaction, while governors provide robust support and oversight. Management ensures adequate resources and facilities, contributing to a positive learning environment.
Inspection Findings
Students' Outcomes
Students' attainment and progress vary from acceptable to very good across subjects and phases, with particular strengths in KG and high school. Students are well-engaged, use technology effectively, and connect learning to real-world contexts. They exhibit very positive attitudes, a strong understanding of Islamic values and UAE culture, and contribute positively to the school and local community.
Personal Development
Students show very good personal development, including mature attitudes, empathy, and self-discipline. They have a clear appreciation of Islamic values and Emirati culture, actively participating in charitable and cultural activities. Students also demonstrate a deep understanding of sustainability and conservation, leading projects to address environmental challenges.
Teaching Quality
Teaching quality is very good in KG and good in other phases, with teachers possessing secure subject knowledge and creating engaging learning environments. While technology use is prevalent, the use of questioning for critical thinking and assessment data for personalized lesson planning is inconsistent. Feedback on written work is also variable in its effectiveness.
Protection & Care
The school maintains very effective health and safety procedures, including rigorous safeguarding arrangements and cyber-safety protocols. Medical staff provide guidance, and risk analyses are thorough. Care and support for students are good overall, with effective attendance and behavior management systems. Individual career counseling is provided, and the inclusion team supports students of determination.
Areas for Development
- •Strengthen middle leadership to ensure that the monitoring of teaching leads to better quality and consistency of practice.
- •Ensure all teachers use the available assessment information more effectively to meet the needs of all groups of students, including the higher achievers, the lower achievers, and students of determination.
- •Elevate students’ attainment to good or better levels in all the key subjects.
- •Redesign and implement the school reading literacy action plan to ensure stronger impact on students’ reading skills.
- •Use benchmark performance reports to modify the curriculum and teaching strategies leading to more personalized learning programs.
- •Further augment the wellbeing of members of staff by enhancing the supportive work culture and providing clear career advancement pathways.
- •Enhance students' fluency in reading Arabic and extend their speaking abilities, especially in the middle school.
- •Place a focus on improving the quality of writing and presentation in students’ written work in the middle school.
- •Provide greater challenge for students to develop their scientific skills, particularly in the elementary and middle schools.
- •Embed critical thinking and problem-solving activities as fundamental components of all lessons throughout the school.
- •Improve the identification and support for students with gifts and talents and include more opportunities in lessons to extend the learning of the higher achieving students.
- •Provide more specialized education pathways to address the unique and sometimes complex needs of students of determination.