Sharjah private School branch Sharjah - Al Abar
Executive Summary
Sharjah Private School (Al Abar), established in 1974 and following the UAE Ministry of Education curriculum, has been rated Good in its 2024-2025 inspection - maintaining the same rating as the previous review cycle in 2022-2023. The school serves over 1,800 students across KG, Cycle 1, and Cycle 2, with instruction delivered in Arabic.
The quality of students' outcomes is Good overall. The majority of students exceed curriculum expectations in most subjects, with the exception of Arabic language and other subjects in Cycles 1 and 2, and English in KG, where attainment remains within expected levels. Notable improvement was observed in Mathematics and Science in Cycle 2. Student learning skills are rated Good, with a marked improvement in innovation skills particularly among Cycle 2 students.
The quality of personal and social development is Very Good, with students demonstrating exemplary behaviour, responsible attitudes, and strong relationships across all phases. Teaching and assessment quality is Good across all cycles, with teachers planning engaging lessons, though differentiation for high-attaining students and those with special educational needs requires further development. The principal has established a positive and safe learning environment, though middle leadership needs to strengthen its monitoring of teaching and learning impact on student outcomes.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Sharjah Private School - Al Abar Overall Rating
Good for 2+ consecutive years
SPEA Performance Standards
The performance standards used by SPEA to evaluate school quality across Sharjah.
The school identifies students of determination effectively and the special education coordinator prepares individual learning plans. However, support plans are not consistently implemented at the classroom level, and the needs of students of determination are not fully met across all subjects. Teachers do not always use assessment information to adequately support lower-attaining students or challenge higher-attaining ones. Individual Learning PlansStudents of DeterminationSpecial Education Coordinator
Students' personal development is rated Very Good, with exemplary behaviour and mutual respect between students and staff across all phases. The school actively promotes healthy lifestyles through initiatives such as the 'Genome' research project and partnerships with Dettol, resulting in a reduction in obesity rates from 16% to 10%. Student attendance is Very Good at 96%, though some students arrive late at the start of the school day. Healthy LifestylesGenome Project96% Attendance
The school participates in international benchmark assessments including IBT, TIMSS, and the Arabic Language Arts test (Tala'a). IBT 2024 results show the majority of students in Grades 3-6 performing above average in English and Mathematics. TIMSS 2023 data for Grade 4 Science shows a Very Good level of attainment. The school uses international assessment data to inform curriculum design and lesson planning, particularly in Cycle 2. IBTTIMSSTala'aInternational Benchmarks
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Positive Learning Culture
A supportive and positive learning culture prevails across all school phases, with students demonstrating exemplary behaviour, responsible attitudes, and warm, empathetic relationships.
Mathematics & Science Improvement
Notable improvement was observed in the quality of student achievement in Mathematics and Science in Cycle 2, reflecting the school's focused efforts on these subjects.
Strong Community Partnerships
The school has strong community partnerships that enhance students' sense of social responsibility across all phases, including volunteering programmes, charity drives, and visits to care homes.
Islamic Values & UAE Culture
Students demonstrate a deep understanding and appreciation of Islamic values and UAE heritage and culture, participating in Quran competitions, cultural days, and national celebrations.
Safe & Caring Environment
Strong pastoral care systems, positive relationships, and robust safety procedures provide a safe and happy environment where all students feel secure and valued.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Overall student achievement is Good. The majority of students exceed curriculum expectations in most subjects. Internal assessment data consistently indicates higher attainment than observed in lessons, suggesting some inflation of internal grades. External benchmark data (IBT, TIMSS, Tala'a) provides a more reliable picture of student performance.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
The school principal has established a positive, supportive learning culture across all phases and has good knowledge of her students. She has created an environment where all feel safe and happy. However, middle leadership members still need to strengthen their monitoring of the impact of teaching and learning on student outcomes, and to more effectively deploy their skills to support a culture of continuous improvement across all subjects and cycles.
Inspection Findings
Students' Outcomes
Student achievement is Good overall, with the majority exceeding curriculum expectations in most subjects. Notable improvement was seen in Mathematics and Science in Cycle 2. Arabic language attainment remains Acceptable across all phases, and extended writing skills in both Arabic and English need further development. Progress is Good across all phases and subjects, with Very Good progress in Mathematics and Science in Cycle 2.
Personal Development
Personal and social development is rated Very Good overall. Students demonstrate exemplary behaviour, responsible attitudes, and strong, empathetic relationships across all phases. Students show a deep understanding and appreciation of Islamic values and UAE culture and heritage. Innovation skills and entrepreneurship project work remain areas for improvement, particularly within classroom lessons.
Teaching Quality
Teaching and assessment quality is Good across all phases. Most teachers consistently apply their subject knowledge and understanding of how students learn. Teachers plan engaging and motivating lessons, but do not always set individual targets for students, particularly for high-attaining students and those with special educational needs. The use of assessment information to inform lesson planning and differentiation needs to be more consistent across all subjects.
Protection & Care
Student protection and care is Very Good overall. The school has strong pastoral support systems, positive staff-student relationships, and robust safety procedures that provide a safe environment. The school actively promotes healthy lifestyles, resulting in a reduction in obesity rates from 16% to 10%. Student attendance is Very Good at 96%, though punctuality at the start of the school day requires attention.
Areas for Development
- •Develop students' problem-solving, inquiry, research, and creativity skills across all cycles.
- •Improve the quality of data-driven teaching by using assessment analysis more effectively to support lower-attaining students and provide appropriate challenge for higher-attaining students across all phases.
- •Deploy skilled middle leaders more effectively to support a culture of continuous improvement, with a focus on enhancing student achievement across all subjects and cycles.