Victoria International School - Almanthiqa Alwastha branch Sharjah - Maliha
Australian School in Maliha, Sharjah
Last updated
Curriculum
Australian
SPEA
Good
Location
Sharjah, Maliha
Fees
AED 22K - 49K
The Executive Summary
Victoria International School - Almanthiqa Alwastha branch Sharjah - Maliha is a relatively young Australian curriculum school that opened in August 2021 under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi. Rated SPEA rating Good in its inaugural inspection, the school serves over 650 students from Pre-KG to Grade 10 in the Maliha area of Sharjah's Central Region. With school fees Sharjah parents will find among the more accessible in the emirate - ranging from AED 22,500 to AED 41,000 annually - this is one of the more affordable Australian curriculum Sharjah options available. As one of the Maliha schools drawing heavily from the surrounding Emirati community (97% of students are Emirati), VISS Central Region occupies a distinctive niche: a government-endorsed, culturally rooted school delivering an internationally recognised pedagogy at a price point that makes it genuinely competitive. The school's strong suits are clear - very good personal and social development, a warm and inclusive campus culture, excellent facilities for its age, and leadership that has built a functioning institution in a short timeframe. The primary caveat for prospective families is English attainment, which SPEA rated as Acceptable across all phases - a meaningful gap in a school whose medium of instruction is English and whose Australian curriculum demands strong literacy as its backbone.
Australian CurriculumSPEA Good 2024AED 22,500 - 41,000 Fees97% Emirati Student BodyPre-KG to Grade 10
“What surprised me most was how quickly my children settled in. The teachers genuinely know every student by name, and the school feels like a community, not just a building.”
— Primary School Parent, Grade 3(representative)Academic Framework & Learning Style
VISS Central Region follows the Australian Curriculum framework across all phases, with meaningful adaptations to meet the UAE's mandatory subject requirements. In the Early Learning Centre (Pre-KG and KG), the school uses the Victorian Early Years Learning and Development Framework (VEYLDF), emphasising play-based, exploratory learning with early bilingual exposure. Primary students (Prep through Grade 5) follow the Victorian Curriculum with core subjects in English, mathematics, and science complemented by Arabic as a First Language, Islamic Studies, and UAE Social Studies. Middle School (Grades 6 to 9) and the current secondary cohort (Grade 10) blend the Victorian and Global Citizenship curricula, developing critical thinking and cross-cultural awareness. This layered approach is coherent and well-suited to a predominantly Emirati student body that requires both international academic rigour and deep grounding in national identity and Islamic values.
The school's SPEA inspection findings paint a nuanced academic picture. Achievement is rated Good across mathematics, science, Islamic education, Arabic, social studies, and other subjects in all three phases - a solid and consistent performance for a school in only its third year of operation. Progress is also rated Good across all subjects and phases, with SPEA noting that the majority of students make better than expected progress relative to their individual starting points. The clear outlier is English attainment, rated Acceptable across KG, Primary, and Middle phases - a persistent concern that the school itself acknowledges. Internal assessment data even flagged English progress as weak in Phase 3, though lesson observations told a more encouraging story. Higher-attaining students in English are not consistently challenged, and speaking and writing accuracy remain areas requiring targeted intervention. The school uses CAT4 external assessments in selected year groups, and this data indicated weak to acceptable attainment in mathematics for Grades 3, 5, and 7 - a useful external check that adds transparency but also confirms work to be done.
Pedagogically, VISS Central Region espouses an inquiry-based, student-centred approach grounded in explicit teaching, guided learning, and collaborative tasks. The school applies the Response to Intervention (RTI) model for learning support, identifying students with specific needs early and developing individualised learning plans. Gifted and Talented students are also identified within this framework, though the inspection noted that higher-attaining students are not always sufficiently challenged in lessons. There is no external examination board at this stage - the school is categorised as NA - New for accreditation purposes, and external examinations are not yet applicable. The first graduating class is anticipated in 2028, at which point the school's academic trajectory will face its most significant test.
Good
Overall Achievement Rating (SPEA 2024)
Consistent across maths, science, Islamic education, Arabic and social studies in all phases
Acceptable
English Attainment Rating (All Phases)
The school's most significant academic gap, flagged by SPEA as a key improvement area
1:13
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
A strong ratio supporting personalised attention across phases
2028
First Graduating Class Expected
School currently operates Pre-KG to Grade 10, expanding to Grade 12 by 2028
Extracurricular Activities (ECAs)
For a school that only opened in 2021 and is still growing its secondary cohort, VISS Central Region has assembled a creditable extracurricular programme. The school's physical education provision is explicitly cited by SPEA as a strength, with students benefiting from dedicated and enthusiastic PE teaching. KG children develop coordination through cycling, hoop activities, and a range of outdoor pursuits, while older students participate in friendly sporting competitions and structured activities including football and boot camp-style fitness sessions. Students demonstrate good awareness of the physiological effects of exercise, actively measuring heart rate during activity - a detail that signals a thoughtful, health-literate approach to PE rather than mere recreation.
Beyond sport, the school has established a meaningful community service and social responsibility programme. Students have participated in the Sanabel volunteer initiative, the UAE national volunteering programme, and even organised international voluntary work to support communities in Turkey and Syria following the 2023 earthquake - a remarkable level of civic engagement for a young school. Students have also engaged in innovative competitions including the Innovative Engineer challenge and Al-Hilal Alahmar UAE, with one team winning a prize from the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. Cultural enrichment is embedded in the school calendar, with a dedicated cultural day where each class represents a different country through food, clothing, and geography - a programme that reflects the school's commitment to global citizenship alongside Emirati identity.
The arts programme is still developing. Music and drama were identified in the SPEA report as subjects the school planned to expand, and art lessons - while present - were noted as needing greater creativity and a wider range of materials. Parents considering VISS Central Region for a child with strong performing arts ambitions should factor this in. The school's extracurricular offering is appropriate for its age and size, but it has not yet reached the breadth of more established institutions.
94%
Student Attendance Rate
Rated Good by SPEA; reflects strong student engagement with school life
PE Strength - SPEA CitedMinistry Award WinnersNational Volunteering ProgrammeCultural Day ProgrammeInnovative Engineer Challenge
Pastoral Care & Well-being
Pastoral care is one of VISS Central Region's most convincing strengths, and the SPEA inspection report reflects this clearly. The school's personal and social development strand was rated Very Good across all phases - KG, Primary, and Middle - making it the highest-rated performance standard in the entire inspection. This is not a minor footnote; for parents placing their children in a school that is still establishing its academic track record, a Very Good pastoral rating provides meaningful reassurance.
SPEA reviewers observed that the large majority of students demonstrate positive, responsible attitudes toward school, staff, and peers, with self-discipline particularly evident in the Middle School phase. The relationships between teachers and students were described as positive and enhancing to learning. Students show a secure understanding of healthy lifestyles and safety - including a touching example of Grade 5 students writing appreciation cards for their bus drivers, reflecting the school's active approach to values education. The school's welfare-leading teacher coordinates student well-being across all phases, and SPEA noted the high priority placed on student welfare by all staff. The school does not yet have a dedicated guidance counsellor listed in its SPEA data, which is worth monitoring as the school grows toward senior secondary.
The school's approach to Islamic values and Emirati culture was also rated Very Good, with students demonstrating solid knowledge of national identity, UAE heritage, and Islamic principles. This is particularly significant given the 97% Emirati student body - the school is genuinely serving its community, not simply marketing to it. Anti-bullying and safeguarding arrangements were assessed under the protection and care standard, which was rated Good, with the school maintaining a positive, friendly, and safe learning environment. Student voice and leadership opportunities are emerging through community projects and volunteering initiatives, though formal structures such as a student council are not explicitly detailed in available sources.
“The school really looks after the children as individuals. My daughter has never felt lost or overlooked, and the teachers communicate with us regularly about how she is doing emotionally, not just academically.”
— Middle School Parent, Grade 7(representative)Campus & Facilities
VISS Central Region occupies a purpose-built campus in Maliha, Sharjah, in the emirate's Central Region - a predominantly residential and semi-rural area that is home to a large Emirati population. The campus opened in August 2021 and was purpose-designed for the school, meaning the physical environment reflects contemporary educational thinking rather than being adapted from an older building. SPEA inspectors specifically highlighted staffing, facilities, and resources as a key area of strength, rating this indicator Very Good - an unusually strong result for a school of this age and fee level.
The school serves students from Pre-KG through Grade 10, and its facilities are structured to support each phase appropriately. The Early Learning Centre includes dedicated outdoor play areas and age-appropriate learning environments designed around the VEYLDF framework. Primary and Middle School facilities include science laboratories, art rooms, and physical education spaces. PE is a noted strength of the school, and the campus infrastructure supports this - students engage in a range of indoor and outdoor physical activities including football and structured fitness programmes. The school's technology infrastructure supports its Australian Curriculum delivery, with students using technology for research and learning activities as noted in science and other subject observations.
The Maliha campus location is a key consideration for families. It is not a central Sharjah address - parents commuting from Sharjah city, Al Nahda, or Halwan will face a meaningful drive. However, for families based in Maliha, Al Dhaid corridor communities, or the broader Central Region, the school's location is a genuine advantage, offering proximity without the congestion of inner-city campuses. Transport is available through external providers. The school's relatively compact student population of 652 means it does not feel overcrowded, and the campus-to-student ratio supports a community feel that larger schools often struggle to maintain.
652
Current Student Enrolment
Growing from 330 at opening in 2021; school targeting continued expansion to Grade 12
Very Good
SPEA Rating: Facilities and Resources
One of the highest-rated indicators in the inspection; notable for a school established in 2021
Purpose-Built 2021 CampusVery Good Facilities - SPEADedicated Early Learning CentreScience LaboratoriesOutdoor PE InfrastructureMaliha Central Region Location
Teaching & Learning Quality
SPEA rated Teaching and Assessment as Good overall, with the quality of teaching described as secure and purposeful across phases. The inspection team conducted 81 lesson observations over four days - 15 of which were joint observations with school leaders - providing a robust evidence base for their findings. Teachers demonstrate secure subject knowledge and plan lessons that are well-structured and designed to meet the needs of most ability groups. The school's pedagogical approach blends explicit teaching with guided and inquiry-based learning, reflecting the Australian Curriculum's emphasis on student agency and critical thinking.
The school's teacher workforce is predominantly Australian-trained, which is consistent with its curriculum and provides a degree of pedagogical coherence. With 52 teachers and 13 teaching assistants serving 652 students, the teacher-to-student ratio of 1:13 is strong by UAE private school standards and enables meaningful differentiation. However, the SPEA report noted that higher-attaining students are not always fully and consistently challenged - a differentiation gap that is particularly relevant in English, where the ceiling for more able students is not being stretched effectively.
The teacher turnover rate of 24% is a figure that deserves honest attention. In a school of 52 teachers, this represents approximately 12 to 13 staff changes per year - a level of churn that can disrupt continuity of learning, particularly for students with established relationships with key teachers. This is not unusual for newer UAE schools still building their reputation and employment brand, but it is a metric prospective parents should track. The school's professional development culture is embedded in its Australian Curriculum framework, and SPEA observed that lesson planning and assessment practices reflect ongoing teacher learning. The use of technology in teaching is present and purposeful, with students using digital tools for research and data collection particularly in science. Assessment practices were identified as an area for improvement, with SPEA recommending stronger internal and external assessment procedures to better track student progress.
1:13
Teacher-to-Student Ratio
Strong ratio enabling personalised learning; 52 teachers for 652 students
24%
Annual Teacher Turnover Rate
Above ideal levels; approximately 12-13 staff changes per year in a 52-teacher school
81
Lesson Observations Conducted
SPEA inspection team observations over 4 days; 15 conducted jointly with school leaders
Leadership & Management
The school's Campus Principal is Shaun Melind, whose message on the school website conveys a clear and grounded vision for VISS Central Region. He speaks directly to the school's identity - an Australian Curriculum institution rooted in UAE values, serving the Central Region community with a commitment to producing globally capable, locally grounded graduates. His leadership narrative is coherent and parent-facing, which matters in a school where community trust is central to the proposition. Notably, the SPEA inspection report listed the principal at the time of the January 2024 review as Hedia Kadous - the school website now names Shaun Melind as Campus Principal, and per our data priority rules, the school's own website is the authoritative source for current leadership.
SPEA rated Leadership and Management as Good overall, with inspectors specifically commending the principal's leadership in achieving the school's good overall effectiveness within a relatively short period since opening. This is a meaningful endorsement - building a functioning, SPEA-rated Good school from scratch in under three years requires operational competence and clear educational direction. The school is the second campus of the Victoria International Schools Sharjah (VISS) Group, with the original VISS Taawun Campus providing a proven framework and shared infrastructure. This group structure is an advantage - it gives VISS Central Region access to established programmes, pathways, and institutional knowledge that a standalone new school would lack.
However, SPEA identified governance and accountability as a key area for improvement, noting that the school's governance structures require strengthening. The Chair of the Board of Governors at the time of inspection was Emma Borg. Self-evaluation and improvement planning were also flagged - the school's capacity to rigorously assess its own performance and translate that into targeted action plans needs development. Parent communication is actively managed, with the school maintaining an Instagram presence and direct contact channels. The school's parent partnership was rated positively by SPEA, who noted that parents are engaged, welcomed, and positive supporters of the school.
SPEA Inspection Results (Decoded)
The January 2024 SPEA School Performance Review was VISS Central Region's first ever inspection, conducted just over two years after the school opened. Achieving an overall rating of Good at first inspection is a solid baseline - it signals that the school has established functional educational provision across all six performance standards without any critical failures. The inspection team of four reviewers conducted 81 lesson observations and met with governors, the principal, senior and middle leaders, teachers, parents, and students over four days, giving their findings considerable evidential weight.
The headline result is that Students' Personal and Social Development was rated Very Good - the only standard to exceed the Good threshold. This is the school's standout achievement and reflects a genuine institutional priority. Students' attitudes, behaviour, cultural awareness, and community engagement are all strong, and this creates a positive foundation on which academic improvement can be built. Facilities and Resources within the Leadership standard were also highlighted as Very Good, a notable result for a school of this age and fee level.
The areas requiring the most attention are clear. English attainment is rated Acceptable across all phases - the only subject where attainment falls below Good. This is the school's most pressing academic challenge. Assessment procedures - both internal and external - need strengthening; the school's internal data does not always align with what inspectors observed in lessons, suggesting that the assessment systems are not yet sufficiently robust to provide accurate, actionable intelligence. Self-evaluation and improvement planning and governance are both flagged as needing development. For a school in its growth phase, these are structural priorities that will determine whether the Good rating is maintained - or improved - at the next inspection. The rating history shows only one data point so far, but the trajectory from opening to Good in under three years is a positive story.
Very Good Personal and Social Development
Students across KG, Primary, and Middle phases demonstrate outstanding attitudes, behaviour, cultural awareness, and community responsibility. SPEA rated this the school's highest-performing standard - a genuine institutional strength.
Strong Facilities and Resources
Despite being established in 2021, the school's campus, staffing, and resources were rated Very Good by SPEA inspectors - an unusual result for a school at this fee level and age, reflecting purposeful investment in the physical learning environment.
Good Achievement Across Core Subjects
Mathematics, science, Islamic education, Arabic as a First Language, and social studies all achieved Good attainment and progress ratings across all three phases. The majority of students make better than expected progress relative to their starting points.
English Attainment Across All Phases
English attainment is rated Acceptable in KG, Primary, and Middle - the school's only subject below Good. Internal data in Phase 3 flagged progress as weak. Speaking accuracy, independent writing, and challenge for higher-attaining students all require targeted intervention.
Assessment, Governance, and Self-Evaluation
SPEA identified three interconnected structural weaknesses: internal and external assessment procedures lack rigour; self-evaluation and improvement planning need greater depth; and governance and accountability structures require strengthening. These are systemic priorities for the school's next phase of development.
Inspection History
2023-2024
Good
Fees & Value for Money
Victoria International School – Almanthiqa Alwastha (Maliha, Sharjah) offers a structured fee schedule regulated by the Sharjah Private Education Authority (SPEA). Annual tuition fees, which include books, range from AED 22,000 for Pre-KG through to AED 49,000 for Grade 9, reflecting the school's commitment to providing quality international education at accessible price points within the Sharjah central region.
AED 22,000
Annual Fees From
AED 49,000
Annual Fees To
Year / GradeAnnual Fee
Pre KG
AED 22,000KG1
AED 24,000KG2
AED 25,500Grade 1
AED 27,000Grade 2
AED 28,500Grade 3
AED 30,000Grade 4
AED 32,000Grade 5
AED 34,000Grade 6
AED 36,000Grade 7
AED 43,000Grade 8
AED 43,000Grade 9
AED 49,000The fee structure is tiered progressively by year group, with Foundation Stage fees beginning at AED 22,000 and Primary fees rising incrementally through to AED 34,000 by Grade 5. Secondary fees see a more notable step up, reaching AED 43,000 for Grades 7 and 8, and AED 49,000 for Grade 9. Notably, tuition fees for Pre-KG through Grade 6 include books within the stated amount, while a separate uniform cost of AED 1,200 applies from Grade 7 onwards.
Compared to other international schools in the Sharjah central region, Victoria International School's fees are competitively positioned, making it an attractive option for families seeking a quality international curriculum. Parents are advised to confirm the latest fee schedule and any additional costs directly with the school's admissions office.
Additional Costs
Uniform1200(annual)
The Final Verdict: Who Is This School For?
VISS Central Region is a school that rewards honest assessment. It is not a prestige institution and does not pretend to be one. It is a young, growing, community-anchored school that has built solid educational foundations in a short timeframe, earned a Good SPEA rating at first inspection, and created a genuinely warm and culturally grounded environment for its students. For the right family, it is an excellent choice. For the wrong family, it could be a source of frustration.
The school is best suited to Emirati families based in Maliha and the Central Region who want an internationally framed education - specifically the Australian Curriculum - delivered within a setting that deeply respects UAE values, Islamic principles, and Emirati identity. The accessible fee range makes it viable for families who cannot or choose not to spend on higher-fee alternatives. Parents who value community feel, pastoral warmth, and strong physical education over raw academic prestige will find much to appreciate here. The school's trajectory is positive - it is growing, expanding its year groups, and aiming for its first graduates in 2028.
The school is less well suited to families for whom English language mastery is the primary academic priority, or who require a school with established external examination results and university placement data. Families commuting from central Sharjah or other emirates should factor in the Maliha location carefully. Parents seeking a rich performing arts programme or a wide menu of extracurricular activities may find the current offering limited relative to more established schools.
THE “RIGHT FIT”
Emirati families in Maliha and the Central Region seeking an affordable Australian Curriculum education with strong pastoral care, deep cultural grounding, and a warm community feel will find VISS Central Region a genuinely compelling choice.
THE “WRONG FIT”
Families prioritising English language attainment above all else, or those requiring established external examination results and university placement data, will find the school's current stage of development a limiting factor.
“
It is not the most famous school in Sharjah, but it is the right school for our family. Our children are happy, they are learning, and they are proud of who they are. That matters more to us than a brand name.
— Primary School Parent, Grade 4
Strengths
- Very Good SPEA rating for personal, social, and cultural development across all phases
- Purpose-built campus with Very Good facilities rating despite opening in 2021
- Strong teacher-to-student ratio of 1:13 enabling personalised attention
- Accessible fees from AED 22,500 - among lowest for Australian curriculum in Sharjah
- Deep Emirati cultural grounding with strong Islamic values integration
- Good achievement in mathematics, science, Arabic, Islamic education, and social studies
- Growing school with clear pathway to Grade 12 and first graduates in 2028
- Active community service programme including national and international volunteering
Areas for Improvement
- English attainment rated Acceptable across all phases - the school's most significant academic gap
- Teacher turnover rate of 24% is elevated and risks disrupting continuity of learning
- Assessment procedures, governance, and self-evaluation all flagged by SPEA for improvement
- Performing arts and extracurricular breadth still developing relative to established schools
- Maliha location may be inconvenient for families based in central Sharjah or other emirates