Sama American Private School
Executive Summary
Sama American Private School maintains an overall effectiveness rating of Good, consistent with its previous review. The school's leadership, under the principal and senior team, has successfully sustained its performance amidst staffing changes, demonstrating strong strategic planning and effective self-evaluation. The Governing Board and parents provide robust support, ensuring all stakeholders are aligned with the school's priorities.
Recent improvements include students' achievement in mathematics in Middle phase and science in High phase. Despite these gains, students' performance in MAP benchmark assessments has not improved over the past three years. The school continues to excel in student wellbeing, with very positive attitudes to learning and very good safeguarding procedures, complemented by well-maintained learning environments and facilities.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Sama American Private School Overall Rating
Good for 2+ consecutive years
SPEA Performance Standards
The performance standards used by SPEA to evaluate school quality across Sharjah.
The school demonstrates a clear vision for inclusive education, providing effective support for Students of Determination and those with Special Educational Needs. The inclusion team collaborates with teachers, parents, and external agencies to ensure appropriate interventions and accommodations, leading to at least expected progress for most SEN students. Students of DeterminationSpecial Educational Needsinclusion team
Students' personal and social development is very good, characterized by positive attitudes, respectful relationships, and a strong understanding of healthy living. The school provides a very safe, clean, and secure environment with rigorous health and safety procedures, frequent checks, and comprehensive supervision, ensuring a high level of care and support for all students. positive attitudesrespectful relationshipssafe and healthy livingrigorous health and safety procedures
The school actively participates in a wide range of international benchmark assessments including MAP, TIMSS, PIRLS, and AP. However, students' performance in MAP benchmark assessments has shown no improvement over the past three years, with external data indicating attainment levels below curriculum standards in several phases and subjects, suggesting areas for improvement in national agenda targets. MAP benchmark assessmentsTIMSSPIRLSAP
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Math Achievement Up
Students in the Elementary phase have shown improved achievement in mathematics, reflecting effective teaching and learning strategies.
Science Achievement Up
Students in the High phase have demonstrated improved achievement in science, indicating stronger understanding and application of scientific concepts.
Strong Personal Growth
Students consistently exhibit very good personal development, including positive attitudes, responsible behavior, and respectful relationships.
Cultural Understanding
Students show a deep appreciation and understanding of Islamic values, Emirati heritage, and diverse world cultures.
Excellent Safeguarding
The school provides very good provision for the health and safety of all students, with robust procedures and a secure learning environment.
Effective Leadership
The principal, supported by senior leaders, provides strong strategic direction, ensuring sustained effectiveness and continuous improvement.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Students’ achievement is good overall.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
The leadership team, headed by the principal, provides a clear vision and strategic direction, effectively sustaining the school's performance amidst staffing changes. Their approach is characterized by strong strategic planning, effective self-evaluation, and robust support from the Governing Board and parents, ensuring all stakeholders are focused on current priorities.
Inspection Findings
Students' Outcomes
Students' achievement is consistently good across all subjects and phases, with notable improvements in mathematics in Elementary and science in High. Students demonstrate positive attitudes towards learning and effective collaboration skills. However, external benchmark assessments show areas for development, and innovation and enterprise skills are underdeveloped in lessons.
Personal Development
Students exhibit very good personal and social development, including positive attitudes, respectful relationships, and a secure understanding of healthy living. They show high respect for Islamic values and Emirati culture, actively participating in cultural events. While social responsibility is good, opportunities for innovation and enterprise in lessons require further development.
Teaching Quality
The overall quality of teaching and assessment is good. Teachers demonstrate strong subject knowledge and plan engaging lessons with varied strategies. Assessment processes are consistent and effectively track student progress. However, there is inconsistency in promoting critical thinking, problem-solving, and independent learning, particularly for high attainers, and technology use in lessons is not consistently effective.
Protection & Care
The school provides very good protection, care, guidance, and support for students, ensuring a very safe, clean, and secure environment. Rigorous safeguarding procedures, frequent safety checks, and comprehensive supervision are in place. The school effectively supports Students of Determination and promotes healthy living through various activities and workshops.
Areas for Development
- •Improve students’ achievement to very good or better across all subjects and phases.
- •Further develop students’ innovation, enterprise, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
- •Enhance the use of assessment data to improve the quality of teaching in all four phases.
- •Strengthen the role and responsibilities of middle leaders within the school.
- •Ensure the use of robust evidence to support judgments made in the school's self-evaluation process.