Sabis International School - Ruwais, Abu Dhabi
ADEK Inspection Report & Ratings
Last updated
Executive Summary
Sabis International School - Ruwais has maintained its overall ADEK Irtiqa rating of Good for the 2024-2025 academic year. The school operates under the Sabis curriculum, emphasizing a structured approach to education. This consistent performance reflects the school's commitment to providing a stable learning environment.
The inspection highlights several academic strengths, including students exceeding international averages in PISA 2022 and TIMSS 2023 assessments. Teaching and learning skills in Cycle 3 (Phase 4) are rated Very Good, particularly in English. Students demonstrate strong innovation skills and active participation in sustainability initiatives, contributing to a well-rounded educational experience with a wide selection of curricular and extracurricular options.
Key areas for development include raising students’ achievement levels across all core subjects to Very Good or better, improving strategies for effective teaching and assessment, and enhancing care and support for students, especially those with additional learning needs. The school is also recommended to improve all aspects of leadership and management to a Very Good level, ensuring more inclusive practices and stakeholder involvement.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Sabis International School - Ruwais Overall Rating
Good
ADEK Performance Standards
The six Irtiqa inspection standards used by ADEK to evaluate school performance across Abu Dhabi.
Students' achievement is generally Good across most phases and subjects, with notable improvements in English, Mathematics, and Science in specific cycles. Performance in international assessments like PISA and TIMSS exceeded international averages, though internal standardized tests show areas for improvement, particularly in GL-PTE. PISATIMSSGL-PTE
Students' personal development, understanding of Islamic values, and awareness of Emirati and world cultures are consistently Good across all phases. Social responsibility and innovation skills are rated Very Good, indicating strong character development and engagement in community and environmental initiatives. innovation skillssocial responsibilityEmirati and world cultures
Teaching for effective learning and assessment is Good in KG, Cycle 1, and Cycle 2, and Very Good in Cycle 3. The school utilizes a cohesive system for collecting assessment data, which informs lesson delivery. However, there are inconsistencies in adapting content for diverse learning styles and providing developmental feedback. assessment datadevelopmental feedback
Curriculum design and implementation are Very Good across all phases, demonstrating a cohesive and balanced approach linked to the UAE's national vision. Curriculum adaptation, however, is rated Good, with opportunities for creativity and innovation being inconsistent, and modifications for diverse learning needs requiring improvement. curriculum designcurriculum adaptationnational vision
Health and safety, including child protection, remain a high priority and are rated Good. Care, guidance, and support for students are also Good. However, procedures for identifying and supporting students of determination and gifted/talented students are noted as insecure and require significant improvement. child protectionstudents of determinationgifted and talented
All aspects of leadership and management are rated Good. School leaders are committed to improving academic outcomes, and self-evaluation processes are Good, though they do not yet fully reflect all stakeholder views. Partnerships with parents, management, staffing, facilities, and resource provision are also Good. academic outcomesself-evaluationstakeholder views
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Exceeding International Averages
Students who participated in PISA 2022 and TIMSS 2023 international assessments exceeded the international averages.
Strong Teaching & Learning
Very good teaching and learning skills are observed in Cycle 3 (Phase 4), particularly in English, demonstrating high standards of teaching quality and student engagement.
Innovation & Sustainability
Students’ innovation skills and active participation in sustainability initiatives, especially in Cycles 2 and 3 (Phases 3 and 4), highlight their creativity and commitment to environmental responsibility.
Diverse Curriculum & Activities
The wide selection of curricular options available to students in the upper phases, combined with a diverse range of extracurricular activities and clubs, provides a well-rounded and enriching educational experience.
Effective Career Guidance
The school’s comprehensive programmes for careers education, guidance, and advice on higher education pathways effectively support older students in making informed decisions about their future.
High Supervision for Safety
High levels of supervision provided for students, both on the school site and on the school’s bus transport system, ensure their safety and well-being at all times.
Academic Performance Breakdown
The school demonstrates strong performance in English, Mathematics, and Science in upper phases, with several improvements noted since the previous inspection. However, achievement in Arabic as a second language and UAE Social Studies remains acceptable. Internal standardized test results (GL-PTE, GL-PTM, GL-PTS) show areas for improvement in some phases, contrasting with strong international assessment results.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
The leadership team, led by the principal, is committed to improving academic outcomes for all students. They maintain Good self-evaluation processes and strong partnerships with parents. While dedicated to the SABIS system, there is a recognized need to further involve all stakeholders in self-evaluation and development planning to reach a Very Good level of performance.
Inspection Findings
Students' Achievement
Students generally attain levels above curriculum standards in Islamic Education, Arabic (first language), English, Mathematics, and Science across most phases. However, achievement in Arabic (second language) and UAE Social Studies is acceptable. Performance in international assessments like PISA and TIMSS is strong, but internal standardized tests (GL-PTE, GL-PTM, GL-PTS) show weaknesses in some phases. Progress for low-attaining and Emirati students requires targeted support.
Personal & Social Development
Students demonstrate Good personal development, understanding of Islamic values, and awareness of Emirati and world cultures. Their social responsibility and innovation skills are Very Good across all phases, reflecting active engagement in initiatives and a strong sense of community.
Teaching & Assessment
Teaching for effective learning and assessment is Good in KG, Cycle 1, and Cycle 2, and Very Good in Cycle 3. The school has a well-structured system for collecting assessment data. However, there is an inconsistent application of differentiated teaching strategies, limited opportunities for collaborative learning, and a need for more consistent and developmental teacher feedback.
Curriculum Design & Adaptation
Curriculum design and implementation are Very Good, being cohesive, balanced, and aligned with the UAE's national vision. Appropriate learning experiences are integrated to foster understanding of UAE values. However, curriculum adaptation is Good, with inconsistent opportunities for creativity, innovation, and enterprise skills, and insufficient modification to meet the diverse learning needs of all students.
Protection, Care & Support
The school prioritizes health and safety, including child protection, which remains Good. Care, guidance, and support for students are also Good. However, procedures for identifying and supporting students with additional learning needs, including students of determination and gifted/talented students, are insecure and require significant improvement, along with a review of entry/exit protocols and evacuation procedures.
Areas for Development
- •Raise students’ achievement levels across all core curriculum subjects and across all phases to Very Good or better levels by enhancing teacher subject knowledge, implementing consistent Quran recitation programs, providing regular language practice opportunities, improving writing skills, and integrating hands-on activities in Mathematics and Science.
- •Improve strategies and provision for effective teaching and assessment by ensuring teachers adapt learning content and tasks for diverse learning styles, including more cooperative and collaborative activities, providing developmental and consistent feedback, and allowing structured opportunities for students to reflect on their learning.
- •Ensure the school meets and exceeds its targets on international assessments by consistently integrating PISA and TIMSS-style questions into daily lessons, providing targeted teacher training, allocating resources to address knowledge gaps, and developing focused action plans with middle management and classroom teachers.
- •Improve care and support for students and health and safety provision by reviewing systems for identifying and supporting students with additional learning needs, offering professional development for inclusive lessons, updating criteria for gifted and talented students, and reviewing procedures for site entry/exit, evacuation routes, and traffic management.
- •Improve all aspects of leadership and management to a Very Good level by evaluating and revising the admission policy for inclusivity, consolidating peer observation programs, improving external benchmark data provision, ensuring achievable school development plan action points, and developing community and international partnerships.