Vernus International Primary School
Executive Summary
The overall quality of education provided by Vernus International Primary School is rated Acceptable for the 2023-2024 academic year. The school offers a US curriculum and was inspected from 05 to 09 February 2024.
While attainment in English, mathematics, and science is acceptable, progress in English is good across KG and Elementary phases. Students demonstrate good personal and social development, with very good behavior and positive attitudes. However, attainment in Islamic Education and Arabic as a first language is weak in the Elementary phase.
Key strengths include students' strong personal development, their awareness of Emirati and global cultures, and their innovation skills. The school also maintains effective procedures for student and staff health and safety, and fosters positive partnerships with parents.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Vernus International Primary School Overall Rating
Acceptable for 2+ consecutive years
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 demonstrates a commitment to inclusive education with a suitably qualified team and appropriate professional development. Needs of students of determination are identified early, and individualized education plans (IEPs) are created, though their quality can be variable. Support for higher achievers and gifted students is insufficient. Students of DeterminationIEPsGifted and Talented
Governors and school leaders understand wellbeing importance but lack a clear vision for all stakeholders. Systems for gathering views are emerging, and staff are approachable. Students enjoy extracurricular activities, which positively impact their school experience, but rarely make independent decisions. Wellbeing developmentExtracurricular activitiesSocial and emotional learning
The school's National Agenda action plan is appropriate, and leaders use assessment data to identify learning gaps. While students' performance in MAP tests has improved, it remains below international expectations. The school promotes reading literacy effectively through personalized plans and a well-resourced library. National Agenda action planMAP testsReading literacy
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Strong Personal Development
Students demonstrate strong personal development, showing awareness of Emirati and global cultures, coupled with developing innovation skills.
Health and Safety
The school has effective procedures in place for supporting the health and safety of both students and staff, ensuring a secure environment.
Positive Parental Partnerships
The school fosters positive partnerships with parents, engaging them as valued partners in their children’s education and considering their views.
Academic Performance Breakdown
The overall quality of students' achievement is acceptable. While progress in English is good across both phases, attainment in Islamic Education and Arabic as a first language remains weak in Elementary. Students' learning skills are acceptable.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
Leaders prioritize UAE national priorities and inclusivity, demonstrating an adequate understanding of best practice. They maintain positive professional relationships and are aware of improvement areas. However, self-evaluation is not entirely accurate, and improvement planning lacks clear targets, with some leaders needing increased capacity to drive change.
Inspection Findings
Students' Outcomes
Attainment in English, mathematics, and science is acceptable across KG and Elementary, with good progress in English. However, attainment in Islamic Education and Arabic (First Language) is weak in Elementary. Students' learning skills are acceptable, though they often rely on teachers for direction.
Personal Development
Students' personal and social development is good, characterized by very good behavior, positive attitudes, and respectful relationships. They show a secure understanding of healthy lifestyles and value diversity. While aware of Emirati culture, their understanding of Islamic values is limited.
Teaching Quality
Teaching and assessment are acceptable. Teachers possess secure subject knowledge, but lessons often lack opportunities for student responsibility and independent learning, with an over-reliance on teacher-led instruction. Assessment data use is inconsistent in planning for diverse student needs.
Protection & Care
The school ensures effective safeguarding and child protection, with well-trained staff and clear responsibilities. Health and safety procedures are rigorously maintained. Mutual respect and tolerance are successfully promoted, leading to good behavior and high attendance, though punctuality needs improvement.
Areas for Development
- •Improve progress and raise attainment in all subjects in both phases.
- •Improve the quality and consistency of teaching and learning and ensure that work in lessons matches the needs of all groups of students.
- •Improve the capacity of leaders, at all levels, to bring about improvement in their areas of responsibility.
- •Improve the accuracy of school self-evaluation so that it provides a secure base for improvement planning.
- •Ensure that governors have the information needed to hold leaders to account, and that the school is adequately staffed and resourced.