Mirdif Claims First Outstanding School

The Mirdif area may well be celebrating today with the news the Dubai-district finally has not one but two- highly rated schools.

GEMS Royal Dubai

The KHDA has awarded GEMS Royal Dubai its first Outstanding rating, while The School of Research Science has claimed the KHDA’s new rating- Very Good.

Inspectors at UK curriculum GEMS Royal Dubai said they were particularly impressed by the students rapid progress in acquiring knowledge and understanding in English, mathematics and science.

They also noted the students’ exceptionally strong learning skills and personal and social development.

The curriculum, they said was, “very well planned and stimulating,” which they note, “along with teaching, was often inspiring.”

In addition, inspectors commented on the “exceptional collegiate ethos among staff, parents and students.”

The School of Research Science

Following closely behind GEMS Royal Dubai was the School of Research Science with its first Very Good rating.

Inspectors liked school’s strong Islamic ethos and quality of Islamic education in the primary and secondary phases, calling it Outstanding.

In addition they noted SRS’s “very good provision for students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).”

They also commended the governors and the senior leadership team for their work on improving the school during a period of rapid growth.

Good Schools

US curriculum schools- Greenwood School and Al Mizhar American Academy hung onto their Good ratings, giving Greenwood its sixth consecutive Good rating and Al Mizhar its eighth.

IB curriculum school, Uptown also retained its Good rating for the eighth consecutive year, with inspectors commending, “the new principal for clear vision for the school and, with the support of other senior leaders, was increasingly effective in bringing about improvements.”

Dar Al Marefa School (also IB curriculum) received its third Good rating in as many years, while worryingly, Mirdif Private School, also US curriculum lost its Good rating and dropped to an Acceptable.

The Rest

The non-movers, rated Acceptable again for 2015/16 include: Star International School Mirdif, Arab Unity School, Sharjah American International Private School, North American International School, Modern Skills School and The International School of Arts & Sciences.