ADNOC School Madinat Zayed (formerly Glenelg School) is one of a group of schools set up by the oil company to support families employed within their businesses.

ADNOC School Madinat Zayed has again has been rated Acceptable in the 2021-22 ADEK inspection process as confirmed in April 2023. The report can be found under the Inspection Report tab. The review will be updated in due course.

The story so far...

Previously known as the Glenelg School Madinat Zayed, the school has been affected by ADNOC's decision to hand over day to day management to the highly regarded Aldar Academies Group.  This was a decision clearly driven by the need for a considerable improvement in the standard of education being offered, with the school having been rated Weak by the ADEK inspection teams during its two prior visits to the school.

The ADNOC schools' Vision statement reads:
The ADNOC Schools, in line with the UAE government's pioneering initiatives, aims to become a premier school in the region, graduating highly competent, socially responsible citizens and future national leaders.

Its Mission statement is as follows:

The mission of ADNOC Schools is to prepare Emirati and other students, through an academically rigorous curriculum, to achieve their highest potential in a global, technologically advanced society, where Arabic and Islamic values are honored and cultural differences are respected.

In terms of  goals that the school has set for its students to achieve,:

ADNOC Schools Graduates will....

• Achieve a strong academic foundation for admission to colleges and universities of highest standing
• Possess a high level of skills in mathematics, science, technology, and written and oral communication
• Be able to solve problems, think critically, communicate effectively and work creatively
• Be competent decision-makers who are able to set clear personal goals
• Acquire a global outlook which respects the national Arabic and Islamic heritage as well as world cultures
• Act as humane, ethical individuals who are able to develop relationships with others based on mutual respect
• Value the environment and use natural resources wisely
• Maintain and appreciate a physically active and healthy lifestyle
• Nurture in themselves and others compassion, accountability, and respect for personal dignity so as to contribute to the greater good
• Become confident independent individuals who love learning and have a strong sense of discipline and self

Rated Acceptable by ADEK in their most recent inspection in  2018-19, the school was opened in 2011. The school is co-educational with two campuses, one for each individual gender.  The group as a whole, with four schools, currently educates more than 6,000 students across 4 locations.

At the time of the last inspection, the school had just over 1,460 students, of whom 90% were Emirati.  However, in the Principal's introduction to the school, she notes that the student cohort, "today comprises a diverse mix of ambitious Emirati’s and expats".

Students are supported by approximately 93 teachers and further 16  teaching assistants.  

What about the curriculum?

The curriculum consists primarily of high-level national American standards for each subject, using the national Common Core Standards for Math and English, the national Next Generation Science Standards for Science, and the national SHAPE standards for PE. The Social Studies Department uses the Maryland State Standards to drive the content of their courses while borrowing from Common Core English Standards to drive skills. Fine Arts and IT departments have also selected a set of standards through which to build an impressive standards-based curriculum.

Particular focus has been given to improving standards in Math and Science, two of the ‘STEAM’ skills that will be so influential to students’ futures. 

The school encourage students to work towards a range of AP level courses in their senior year. However, since not all students will wish to follow this more academic route, the school says that it also offers a "comprehensive course alternatives and electives that allow each student to create the most beneficial and relevant high school schedules for himself or herself as an individual".

According to the school, additional extra-curricular activities have been added to increase the opportunities to learn, while enhancements have been made to facilities to create a more comfortable learning environment.

What about academic achievement?

ADNOC schools use standardized testing to measure both students’ progress and achievement so that individualized student instruction can be provided based on the outcome of the tests.  In addition, students are compared against local and international benchmarks, starting in grade 10, when High School students take the PSAT and SAT tests.

Students also take a limited number of AP exams that include Math, Science, Art, and Social Studies. Internal assessments such as trimesterly writing diagnostic tests, subject-based diagnostic tests, and general literacy diagnostic tests are used variably across our Elementary campuses to capture student body needs.

The school has also adopted The Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) test as a school-wide progress assessment for grades KG2-11. Its usage allows teachers to utilize immediate feedback about the ability level of their students and allows teachers and administrators to analyze the progress of individual students and student cohorts.  achievement benchmarks.

What the inspectors say

Under the influence of Aldar Academies' management, it will most certainly be expected that standards - and thus ratings - will rise.  All Aldar's directly owned and managed schools are rated at least Good, with several having achieved the highest 'Outstanding' rating.

Although the overall rating of the school was Acceptable in the 2018-19 inspection round, as is so often the case, this does not provide a full and accurate picture of the standards of this school.  In summarising progress since the previous inspection, the inspection report notes:

"The overall performance of the school is acceptable with all performance standards improved. Good leadership and management have established a very clear vision and purpose resulting in rapid change. The generally calm and purposeful environment is due to improved student attitudes and behaviour for most.. Students now make acceptable progress in all subjects and good progress in the Kindergarten (KG). Intensive teaching development ensures almost all lessons are at least acceptable and an increasingly higher proportion are good."

These are very positive comments and a reflection of rapid improvement. In terms of the strengths of the school, the inspection team found these to be:

• Improved achievement in all subjects and phases, especially in the KG, as a result of better teaching.
• The positive impact of school leaders and governors on all aspects of school performance.
• Improved attitudes and behaviour of most students, creating a more purposeful learning community.
• Students’ appreciation of Islamic values and UAE culture.

Clearly there remains much further improvement to be made if the school is to reach the standards of Aldar Academies' own schools. 

The inspection team made the following recommendations:

• Continue to improve the achievement of all students and eliminate all poor behaviour by:
  - providing practical and relevant activities that will inspire and motivate students
  - ensuring teachers have high expectations of what students can achieve
  - continuing to monitor teachers’ performance and addressing any weaknesses
  - providing more support in lessons for classes where behavior is an issue
  - ensuring students are responsible for their actions.
• Ensure there is a better match of work to the needs of all students by:
  - providing more opportunities for students to undertake challenging tasks
  - providing challenging activities for those who are gifted and talented (G&T) and continue to develop the support for those with special educational need (SEN)
  - providing different work for different ability groups more often in lessons and less complete reliance on textbooks.
• Use the range of assessment information available to inform teaching and learning by:
  - sharing analysis with teachers and helping them to address weaknesses in students’ progress through well-differentiated activities
  - using constructive marking to help students know how they can improve
  - providing more individual academic support to those in most need.
• Continue to increase curricular choices and links with other institutions to raise students’ aspirations about what they can achieve by:
  - providing older students with a more varied range of subjects and increasing the profile of subjects such as business studies
  - providing students with opportunities to understand better the benefits of further education
  - providing students with opportunities to initiate their own projects and take ownership of their learning.
  - providing more opportunities for students to take responsibility and be leaders.

If you would like to read the full inspection report - and we strongly recommend that you do so in order to understand fully the reasons behind the ratings - you will find it here. 

What about the facilities?

Buildings and premises are new, the quality is very good, well maintained and in first rate condition. The school plot also has scope for expansion and outdoor learning. Admission involves a range of elements including entrance examination, previous record and interviews with both the students and their parents.

What about the fees?

Fees at the school range from AED 21,950 for KG1  to AED 41,580 for Grade 12, which places the school at the mid end of the market.  

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