Victoria International School Sharjah - Khorfakkan
SPEA Inspection Report & Ratings
Last updated
Executive Summary
Victoria International School Sharjah, Khorfakkan - Branch 3, has achieved an overall effectiveness rating of Good in its inaugural school review. The school demonstrates strong performance in students' personal and social development, which is rated Very Good, fostering a positive and harmonious learning environment.
Students' achievements are generally Good, with particular strengths in English, mathematics, science, and other subjects across all phases. However, attainment in Islamic Education, Arabic, and social studies is lower. The school effectively supports English language proficiency through intervention programs, and maintains Very Good procedures for student safeguarding and protection, complemented by well-maintained learning environments and facilities.
Leadership is characterized by a strong and effective senior team, though middle leadership requires further development. The school benefits from robust support and communication from both the governing body and parents, with all stakeholders aligned on key priorities. While improvement planning is in place and progressing, the absence of external assessments to benchmark student attainment against international expectations remains an area for future development.
Overall School Performance
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Acceptable
Weak
Very Weak
Victoria International School Branch sharjah - Khorfakkan - Al Harai Overall Rating
Good
SPEA Performance Standards
The performance standards used by SPEA to evaluate school quality across Sharjah.
The school demonstrates a strong commitment to inclusive education, with students of determination making expected progress. Teachers effectively use a range of strategies to meet individual learning needs, including those requiring additional support. The school's comprehensive approach to inclusion, encompassing early identification, provision, and communication, ensures tailored support for all students. Students of DeterminationIndividual Learning Plans
Students' personal and social development, along with their innovation skills, are rated Very Good. The school provides very good protection, care, guidance, and support for all students, fostering positive attitudes, self-reliance, and exemplary behavior. A structured Wellbeing Programme, built on school values and positive psychology principles, further enhances student emotional, social, and physical needs. Protection, Care, Guidance and SupportWellbeing Programme
Students show a very good understanding and appreciation of Islamic values and Emirati culture, actively participating in cultural events and initiatives. Social responsibility and innovation skills are rated Good, with students engaging in some charity and volunteering. However, the school needs to introduce external assessments to benchmark student attainment against international expectations, which is crucial for national agenda targets. Islamic valuesEmirati cultureSocial responsibilityExternal assessments
Key Highlights
Standout achievements identified by the inspection team that distinguish this school.
Personal & Social Growth
Students demonstrate very good personal and social development, including a strong understanding of Islamic values and Emirati cultures across all phases.
English Language Support
The school provides effective intervention and language support programs, such as MultiLit, which positively impact students' English language proficiency.
Student Protection & Care
Excellent procedures are in place for the protection, care, guidance, and support of students across all phases, ensuring a safe and nurturing environment.
Inquiry-Based Learning
The school effectively utilizes an inquiry-based approach to learning, which significantly contributes to the development of students' creativity.
Academic Performance Breakdown
Students’ achievement is good overall. Attainment is lower in Islamic Education, Arabic and social studies than in English, mathematics, science and other subjects across all phases.
Leadership & Management
Effectiveness of school governance, strategic planning, and leadership capacity to drive continuous improvement.
Leadership Approach
The school is led by a strong and effective senior leadership team committed to continuous improvement. They foster strong partnerships with parents and the community, ensuring all stakeholders are focused on key priorities. While middle leadership is developing, the overall management ensures very well-maintained facilities that support a positive learning environment.
Inspection Findings
Students' Outcomes
Students' achievement is rated Good overall, with strong performance in English, mathematics, and science. However, attainment in Islamic Education, Arabic, and social studies is lower across all phases. Students demonstrate good learning skills and positive attitudes towards learning.
Personal Development
Students' personal and social development and their innovation skills are rated Very Good. They exhibit positive attitudes, self-reliance, and exemplary behavior, fostering a harmonious school atmosphere. Students also show a strong understanding of Islamic values and Emirati culture, though their social responsibility and innovation skills are still developing.
Teaching Quality
The quality of teaching and assessment is rated Good overall. Teachers possess good subject knowledge and plan lessons well, utilizing learning environments and resources effectively. Positive interactions ensure student engagement, and a range of strategies meet the needs of most students, including those with SEN, though higher attainers and G&T students require more specific challenge.
Protection & Care
The protection, care, guidance, and support of students are rated Very Good. The school has very good procedures for safeguarding and protection, and students demonstrate a sound understanding of safe and healthy living. A culture of empathy and cooperation is evident, with students readily offering assistance and taking on responsibilities.
Areas for Development
- •Improve the levels of attainment in Elementary and Secondary for Islamic Education, Arabic, and social studies.
- •Provide further support for students improving their Arabic and English language proficiency to enable skill transfer across all subjects.
- •Enhance students' understanding and application of scientific experiments in an appropriate scientific environment.
- •Promote skills through innovative and enterprising learning experiences across all phases.
- •Improve teachers' effective use of assessment data to meet the learning needs of all student groups, particularly higher attainers and Gifted & Talented students.
- •Introduce external assessments to benchmark students' attainment in Arabic, English, mathematics, and science against international expectations.
- •Develop the capacity of middle leadership at all levels to contribute to a successful whole-school approach to improvement.