UAE Schools Celebrate Impressive A Level Results
Despite warnings from the UK's Department of Education of tougher grade boundaries and a dive in the award of top grades, many UAE schools have shared impressive results for 2023 A Levels.
Expectations for A Level grades had been toned down this year, with widespread warnings that top grades would likely be given sparingly, returning to pre-pandemic grading. Despite this, many UAE schools have reported outstanding results, with significant rises on pre-pandemic 2019 results, which 2023's results were expected to align with. Quite unexpectedly, in some cases, schools have even reported improving on 2022 results.
Although known for its consistently high academic achievements, Dubai College has quite unexpectedly shared A Level results exceeding those of 2022. With 73.4% of A Level entries awarded A*-A, compared with 70.1% in 2022 and 60.7% in 2019, the school has a lot to celebrate.
Mr Michael Lambert, Headmaster at Dubai College, shared his delight:
"A good day for Dubai College and a good day for Dubai."
He continued:
"The Dubai College community continues to go from strength to strength. Having demonstrated adamantine resilience during the COVID years it is truly remarkable that this year’s cohort of Year 13 students have exceeded not only last year’s more generous grading system but even the Centre Assessed Grades of 2020.
I am immensely lucky to work with the staff we have at Dubai College, whose relentless support of our students combined with the pupils’ own impressive work ethic have combined to produce today’s heady results."
Safa Community School has also bucked the trend, with a significant improvement on results from 2022 and 2021. With their largest cohort yet of 25 students who entered a total of 59 A Level examinations, 16.9% of grades were awarded at A* (compared with 13.2% last year and 12.8% in 2021).
Ms Leanne Fridd, Principal, shared:
"As a school community, we are exceptionally proud of what our students and staff have achieved in our 2023 A Level Results. In Year 13 and Year 12, this cohort of students has had an arduous journey over the past four years. They have worked exceptionally hard, always focusing on the end result. We are so proud of each of them, and we can’t wait to see their future achievements beyond Safa Community School."
Raffles International School likewise improved on their 2022 results, with an impressive 13% of entries awarded the top grade of A* (up from 10% in 2022), and 26% awarded A*-A (up from 25%).
Principal, Mr Steven Giles, shared:
"We are delighted with this set of results and pleased that the hard work - of both the students taking the exams and the teachers preparing them - has been recognised and rewarded. These are the second exam based grades - rather than teacher awarded -since 2019 and our Year 13 students have surpassed our expectations, particularly in light of the drop in top grades awarded world-wide this year. Well done to the Year 13 students and their teachers."
Abdel Rahmen, a student at Raffles International School, who achieved four A* grades, expressed his gratitude and relief:
“I am so relieved and happy with the grades. I want to say a huge thank you to my family and the school for all the support. It’s a real testament to what you can achieve, that for any challenge, if you set yourself high standards, you can achieve anything."
The broader trend in results released so far, however, appears to suggest UAE A Level results have exceeded 2019's pre-pandemic average grades, while still taking a dip from 2022's results, although not as drastically as expected.
Dr Saima Rana, Chief Education Officer, GEMS Education, has shared her reflections:
“Much has been said about the anticipated adjustment following the grade inflation of the Covid years, and while results around the world certainly indicate that this has materialised, at GEMS Education we are delighted to note that our students have nonetheless risen to the challenge and achieved outstanding results. Their tenacity, resilience and dedication to their studies is to be commended."
GEMS schools to have shared exceptional achievements in this year's A Level results include GEMS Wellington Academy Al Khail, with 21 % of the school’s 138 A-level entries awarded the top A* grade, a huge increase on 2022's 6%. GEMS Jumeirah College has received A* to A grades in an excellent 42 % of its A-level entries, compared to 55% in 2022.
The English College, one of Dubai's longest established UK curriculum schools, has shared its results, with 33% of entries awarded A*-A, up from 29% in 2022, and a 99% pass rate over all.
Principal, Mr Mark Ford, shared:
"We are delighted with this set of results and pleased that the hard work - of both the students taking the exams and the teachers preparing them - has been recognised and rewarded. These are the second exam based grades - rather than teacher awarded -since 2019 and our Year 13 students have surpassed our expectations, particularly in light of the drop in top grades awarded world-wide this year. Well done to the Year 13 students and their teachers."
Meanwhile, Brighton College Dubai celebrates its first set of A-Level results, sharing the news that three quarters of pupils received grades of A*-B.
Head Master, Mr Simon Crane, shared his delight:
“I am incredibly proud of the achievements of our first graduating class of A Level pupils. They have shown determination, focus, grit and hard work and this has clearly paid off. They have been supported by our dedicated team of A Level specialist teachers and thrived in our caring and nurturing learning environment.
My warmest congratulations goes to our excellent pupils and staff on these fantastic achievements. As well as being academically dedicated, our pupils have been involved in all other aspects of school life, including taking on wellbeing initiatives, sports and leadership positions.”
Jebel Ali School likewise celebrates its first set of A Level results in 2023, with 24% of entries awarded A*-A, and 71% A*-C.
Principal Simon Jodrell shared:
“On behalf of Jebel Ali School, I am delighted to announce our first ever set of results at A-level. I would like to congratulate our Year 13 students on their efforts, and I am incredibly proud of the determination and grit shown by our Year 13 students, and teachers, who ensured all students achieved their personal best. Our students should feel very confident as they graduate onto the next stage of their academic careers. I am thrilled that so many of the students have managed to reach their first-choice universities."
