The Apple International Community School
Executive Summary
The Apple International Community School, following the UK curriculum, has received an Acceptable overall rating for the 2023-2024 academic year. The school demonstrates a caring ethos and positive student attitudes, with effective partnerships with parents and significant contributions from governors.
Academic provision shows strengths in the Foundation Stage and Secondary, particularly in English, mathematics, and science, where students make Good progress. However, achievement in Primary and in Islamic Education and Arabic is generally Acceptable, with learning skills stronger in FS and Secondary.
Leadership and management are developing, with senior leaders sharing a clear vision and governors providing support and challenge. Effective systems are in place for identifying and supporting students of determination, contributing to Acceptable personal and academic progress for the majority.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
The Apple International Community School Overall Rating
Acceptable
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 has successfully developed an inclusive ethos with an appropriate policy and effective provision for students of determination. While monitoring informs self-evaluation and parents are valued participants, provision and support in lessons are inconsistent, and IEPs require refinement for greater personalization. students of determinationinclusive ethosIEPs
Wellbeing is a high priority, with comprehensive policies focusing on safety, care, and support. Leaders have a clear vision and use surveys to monitor student wellbeing, though parental concerns are not fully considered, and the concept of wellbeing needs to be understood across the whole school community. wellbeing initiativescybersafety awarenesspastoral staff
The school has met registration requirements and shows good international and benchmark achievement, with science outcomes moving to Very Good. Leaders are executing a robust action plan to improve reading proficiency, though external benchmark outcomes for English and mathematics need to align with science. National Agenda action planreading literacybenchmark assessments
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Caring Ethos
The school fosters a strong caring ethos and prioritizes the wellbeing of its students and staff.
Student Conduct
Students consistently demonstrate positive attitudes, respectful behavior, and strong relationships with peers and adults.
Community Partnership
The school maintains strong and effective partnerships with parents and actively engages with the wider community.
Strong Governance
Governors provide significant contributions, leveraging their expertise to support and challenge school leadership effectively.
Efficient Management
The school operates efficiently with well-qualified staff and carefully designed resources, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
Senior leaders have a clear vision for the school's future, establishing an inclusive learning culture with a focus on raising student achievement. They ensure new staff are inducted, and middle leaders are increasing in effectiveness. Systematic self-evaluation processes are in place, though their full impact on Primary performance is yet to be seen.
Inspection Findings
Students' Outcomes
Students in Foundation Stage make good progress in English, mathematics, and personal development, with good achievement in science in Primary and stronger outcomes in English, mathematics, and science in Secondary. Learning skills are notably strong in FS and Secondary.
Personal Development
Students exhibit good attitudes, behavior, and relationships, showing politeness and a responsible, caring approach. They have a secure understanding of Islamic values and Emirati culture, with a developing awareness of social responsibility and innovation skills.
Teaching Quality
Teaching is strong in Foundation Stage and Secondary, characterized by secure subject knowledge and challenging questions. While varied strategies are used, consistency is an issue in Primary and Arabic, and critical thinking skills are still developing.
Protection & Care
Child protection and safeguarding procedures are thorough, ensuring student safety, supported by robust welfare and health policies. Teachers know students well, providing care and support, with effective identification and support for students of determination and a high priority placed on student wellbeing.
Areas for Development
- •Raise attainment and progress in the primary phase.
- •Ensure greater consistency of teaching in all subjects and phases.
- •Provide training and support for all leaders to enable them to improve teaching and learning, assessment and the curriculum.
- •Ensure that teachers consistently use information from assessments and plan challenging lessons which meet the needs of all students.
- •Improve reading literacy across the school.
- •Consider fully the views and concerns of parents.
- •Provide an appropriate level of challenge to develop students’ understanding of Islamic principles and rulings.
- •Improve the quality of writing in Primary.
- •Improve the marking and feedback to students.
- •Ensure that all leaders share an understanding of high-quality teaching and learning.