Saint Joseph Private School, Abu Dhabi
ADEK Inspection Report & Ratings
Last updated
Executive Summary
Saint Joseph Private School, an established institution following the Indian curriculum, has consistently achieved a Very Good overall rating in its latest ADEK Irtiqa inspection for the 2024-2025 academic year. The school is recognized for its commitment to providing a strong educational foundation in Abu Dhabi, maintaining its performance judgment since the previous inspection.
The inspection highlights very good progress in English across all phases and sustained very good attainment in Islamic Education and UAE Social Studies. While some areas like Mathematics and Science in specific phases have seen minor regressions, the school demonstrates strong academic outcomes, particularly in Phase 1 and 4, and in CBSE board examinations where attainment is often Outstanding. Learning skills are also rated Very Good in KG and Secondary phases.
Leadership and management are rated Very Good, with a clear commitment to continuous improvement and effective partnerships with parents and governors. The school maintains very good health and safety standards, ensuring a secure environment for all students, though consistency in adapted learning experiences for students of determination is an area for focus.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Saint Joseph Private School Overall Rating
Very Good for 2+ consecutive years
ADEK Performance Standards
The six Irtiqa inspection standards used by ADEK to evaluate school performance across Abu Dhabi.
Students demonstrate very good progress in English across all phases and maintain very good attainment in Islamic Education and UAE Social Studies. While attainment and progress in Mathematics and Science have regressed in some middle phases, achievement in Phase 1 and 4, particularly in English and Mathematics, remains very good. CBSE board examination results show outstanding attainment in English and Mathematics in the secondary phase. EnglishIslamic EducationUAE Social StudiesCBSE board examinations
Students' personal development remains very good across all phases, supported by high attendance levels. However, their understanding of Islamic values and awareness of UAE and world cultures is acceptable, indicating a need to broaden appreciation for the local heritage. Social responsibility and innovation skills are consistently good. Personal DevelopmentattendanceSocial responsibility
Teaching for effective learning is very good in KG and Secondary phases, leading to improved student achievement and learning skills in these areas. However, teaching quality has declined to good in Primary and Middle phases. Assessment practices remain consistently good across all phases, supported by a comprehensive system for data collection and targeted professional development. Teaching for effective learningAssessmentprofessional development
Curriculum design is rated good in KG and Primary phases and very good in Middle and Secondary phases, while curriculum adaptation is consistently good across all phases. The curriculum is comprehensive, balanced, and age-appropriate. However, there is a need to increase the variety of curricular choices for senior students to support alternative educational and career pathways. Curriculum designCurriculum adaptationcurricular choices
The school prioritizes health and safety, including child protection and safeguarding, which remain very good. Overall care, guidance, and support for students are good across all phases. However, the provision of appropriately adapted learning experiences for students of determination is inconsistent across lessons, requiring further attention. Health and safetychild protectionstudents of determination
The effectiveness of leadership has maintained a very good judgment, with leaders at all levels committed to improving academic and social outcomes. Self-evaluation processes are good and align with inspection frameworks. Partnerships with parents and the support from the Board of Governors are very good, while management, staffing, and resources are rated good, with digital resources being a current priority. Effectiveness of leadershipSelf-evaluationParents and the communityGovernance
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Student Engagement
Students demonstrate high levels of engagement in lessons and increasingly take responsibility for their own learning, particularly in the higher grades.
Supportive Learning Environment
Teachers foster positive and genuine interactions with students, creating a supportive and conducive learning environment.
Robust Safeguarding
The school has established robust systems for child protection and safeguarding, ensuring students are effectively protected.
Strong Governance
The Board of Governors provides valuable support and guidance to both the school and its community, contributing to overall performance.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Overall, the school has maintained very good student attainment and progress in Islamic Education and UAE Social Studies. Progress in English is very good across all phases. However, attainment and progress in Mathematics and Science have regressed in some phases, and attainment in Islamic Education in the secondary phase has dropped.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
School leaders at all levels, led by the principal, are committed to improving the quality of academic and social outcomes for all students. They demonstrate a strong commitment to continuous improvement, having implemented most recommendations from the previous inspection. However, there is a need to clearly define roles, responsibilities, and communication channels within the distributed leadership model.
Inspection Findings
Students' Achievement
Internal assessment data indicates that most students attain above curriculum standards in Islamic Education, Arabic as a second language, UAE Social Studies, and English, though observed classroom skills do not always fully align. CBSE results show outstanding attainment in English and Mathematics in secondary, while ACER IBT results indicate weak attainment in Mathematics, Science, and English across middle and secondary phases. International assessments like PISA and TIMSS show students exceeding international standards in some areas but not always meeting school targets.
Personal & Social Development
Students' personal development is very good across all phases, supported by high attendance. However, their understanding of Islamic values and awareness of UAE and world cultures is acceptable, requiring broader appreciation for local heritage. Social responsibility and innovation skills are consistently good.
Teaching & Assessment
Teaching is very good in KG and Secondary phases, contributing to improved student achievement and learning skills. However, teaching quality has declined to good in Primary and Middle phases. Assessment practices are consistently good across all phases, with a comprehensive system for data collection and targeted professional development informing effective learning.
Curriculum Design & Adaptation
Curriculum design is good in KG and Primary, and very good in Middle and Secondary phases, with adaptation being good across all phases. The curriculum is comprehensive, balanced, and age-appropriate. However, the variety of curricular choices for senior students needs to be increased to cater to diverse educational and career pathways.
Protection, Care & Support
The school maintains very good health and safety standards, including robust child protection and safeguarding arrangements. Care, guidance, and support for all students are good. However, providing consistently adapted learning experiences for students of determination across all lessons remains an area for improvement.
Areas for Development
- •Raise achievement levels in Arabic as a second language by focusing on all language skills through regular practice, providing more interactive opportunities for real-life contexts, and integrating tasks that require creative expression in writing and speaking.
- •Further enhance curriculum adaptation and teaching practices to accelerate the progress of all student groups, including lower-attaining, higher-attaining, and students of determination, by consistently modifying lessons and strengthening the integration of creativity, enterprise, and innovation.
- •Promote a culture of ongoing improvement in assessment and feedback by developing a comprehensive marking and feedback policy, aligning feedback with specific learning objectives, and training teachers to consistently use formative assessments.
- •Increase curricular choices for students by expanding options to cater for a broader range of interests and future careers, introducing courses aligned with global trends, and providing access to internships or work experience opportunities.
- •Ensure appropriate learning provision for students of determination by providing adapted learning experiences across all lessons, training teachers to differentiate effectively, and enhancing collaboration between special education and mainstream teachers.