In this first set of reports for the 2016/17 inspection cycle, ADEC has released 21 inspection reports for schools across the emirate of Abu Dhabi. While no schools were rated Outstanding, The American Community School of Abu Dhabi, Brighton College Abu Dhabi and The British School of Khubairat were all rated Very Good.
Despite its overall Very Good status much about Brighton College is considered Outstanding by inspectors. This included students personal, social and innovation skills, the curriculum and the overall protection and guidance of students. All core subjects at Brighton are also rated Outstanding - from Foundation to Secondary.
The school's Foundation Stage struck a particular note with inspectors who reported that most of the Foundation children enter the school as non-native speakers, yet by the time they enter Year 1, have linguistic skills deemed ‘Outstanding'. The head-teacher and senior management team at Brighton, were also commended for their dedication to school improvement and innovation.
Perennial achiever, the not-for-profit school British School of Khubairat, went from Good to Very Good during the inspection cycle with ADEC's inspectors highlighting the school’s core subjects as predominantly Outstanding. They also rate the consistently high quality of teaching, which they say results in high achieving students.
The American Community School of Abu Dhabi was rated Very Good for the second time, with many of the core subjects at Middle and Secondary level considered Outstanding.
Inspectors particularly liked the “wide range of academic, sporting, creative and technological programmes and activities for all students.”
Elsewhere nine school were rated Good. These were: Abu Dhabi International Private School, Al Dhafra Private School, Emirates National Private School Al Ain, Future International Academy, GEMS Winchester School Abu Dhabi, Good Will Children Private School, Horizon Private School (branch), Our Own English High School and Ryan Private School.
GEMS Our Own English High School was rated a solid Good across all indicators, with the Middle and Secondary significantly outperforming the lower Years.
Lower down the table, Bani Yas International Private School, Global Indian International School, Mohammed Bin Khalid Al Nayhan Generations School and Ryan International School, were all rated Acceptable. These are all schools that require improvement.
In their defense, the relatively new Indian curriculum schools; Global Indian International School and Ryan International School (both launched September 2015), this was their first inspection.
A further five schools were ranked Weak by inspectors, these were: Abdulla Bin Zubair Private School, Al Manahil Private School, Al Sorouh American School, Global English Private School (up from Very Weak) and the Crescent International Private School.