Credence High School is an increasingly popular CBSE curriculum school located on a large purpose-built campus in Al Qouz Industrial area. It is one of several schools located in this area and convenient for the Al Khail and Sheikh Zayed Roads, allowing the school to cover large areas of Dubai, Deira and Sharjah by school bus services.

The story so far...

Credence High School was founded by several prominent local Indian businessmen, including Dr. Moopen, who owns the Aster Medical clinics and pharmacies in Dubai. The school offers the CBSE curriculum to classes from Pre-KG to Grade 12, with Grade 12 having been added in the 2021-22 academic year.

The school is clearly highly regarded by parents, of whom over 105 had participated in the WhichSchoolAdvisor.com Parent Survey, rating Credence 4.2/5 - or a positivity rating of 84%.  

The most recent comment in our Parent Survey is reflective of many...

"Focus on Child's well being & safety. One on one interaction between Teachers & students. Constant & direct communication with parents. Excellent infrastructure, management & teaching staff." 

Find out more by reading the Buzz section at the end of the review.

Credence High School's Vision is:

"To be an institution that nurtures free and happy minds thereby empowering students to excel and contribute to the society in the field of their choice."

Its Mission is to:

- Tailor an inclusive and supportive campus that offers a sense of belonging, happiness, physical safety and intellectual freedom to all of our students.
- Harvest the innate talent of each child to build a school community of individual achievement and collective excellence.
- Instill an acute sense of values and ethics in each of our students so they may be always known for their personal integrity and probity.
- Nurture an international cross-section of students so they may learn to live in a globalized world and contribute in building a united, tolerant, caring society.
- Kindle and keep alive the spark of curiosity in our students through the provision of ICT facilities and resources that support a research – oriented, independent and enquiry based learning.

The school motto “Character is destiny” ensures that the emotional intelligence in students is also nurtured.

Principal, Deepika Thapar Singh, is clearly someone who invests for the long-term in the schools she leads.  Prior to Credence, she was Principal at The Airforce School, New Delhi for over eight years, and since joining Credence in 2016, she is close to achieving her sixth anniversary in Dubai.

Commenting on the aims of Credence, Mrs. Thapar Singh says; "We have entered interesting times in education. Technology, communication, and ways of interacting are developing so quickly that we may be preparing our students for careers that don’t yet exist. Our generation relied on the “three Rs” to prepare us for a successful life. The future will demand people who are flexible, effective problem-solvers, and able to think critically about the masses of information that they experience each day.

In anticipation of this, we nurture our students to be adaptable, independent thinkers, able to work effectively with others and imbued with a life-long curiosity and love of learning. These fundamental skills will help our students to meet the growing demands of an evolving world."

Thus, “The objective of education is to prepare the young to educate themselves throughout their lives.”

In October 2019, ahead of the Covid pandemic impacting student numbers across schools in Dubai, Credence approximately 700 students - a number that has grown significantly in the past three and a half years to well over 1,500.  Students come from a range of 30 nationalities. The maximum student number is 25 per class with a teacher, teaching assistant and nanny in KG classes. 

Inevitably, given the curriculum, the vast majority of the 110 teachers are from India and include a School Counsellor and a sizeable number (approx. 30) of teaching assistants.  The teacher:student ratio (1:13 - an increase from 1:11 in 2020) and is on the low side for schools in Dubai, and particularly so in an Indian curriculum school.

Teacher turnover had been something of an issue in the past, with a figure of 22% in 2017-18 and 27% in 2018-19.  It is likely that these coincided with the arrival of the new Principal.  However, staff and management are clearly much more settled nowadays, with a reduction to 12% in 2019-20 and 8% in 2022-23.  This is important as teacher stability is a key means of ensuring continuity of teaching practice and curriculum delivery.

The school was rated Acceptable by the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau in its first report in the year 2016-17. It had clearly made significant progress to be rated Good in its second inspection for the year 2017-2018, with 47 indicators moving up from Acceptable to Good, and showed further positive progress in 2018-19 and 2019-20 when Credence retained the Good rating and earned a smattering of Very Good ratings. 

That improvement has clearly continued with the achievement of the second highest Very Good rating in 2022-23.

Find out the details under What the Inspectors say.

What about the curriculum?

Credence follows the CBSE curriculum from Grades 1 to 12, offering the CBSE Grade X and XII examinations. The teaching practices in the Kindergarten section are largely based on approaches drawn from international models such as Montessori, EYFS and Reggio Emilia.

The Primary programme commences in Grade 2 and ends in Grade 5. The central focus of the curriculum over this period is to build on the foundation laid down during the early years and to enable students apply these concepts in a real-life context. Credence believes that by allowing students to collaborate and learn, play and interact in groups, educators help them develop social intelligence, which is another core area of focus for primary school students in Dubai.

The curriculum is described as interactive, collaborative and designed keeping in mind the unique needs of each student. Core subjects include English, Maths, Science, Social Studies, Arabic, a choice between Hindi, French, and Malayalam, Islamic Studies, Computer Studies and Moral Education.

Credence teachers aim to equip students with real-world, relevant knowledge enabling students to put the theory into practice and make links across the curriculum.  Teachers aim to identify each student’s individual strengths whilst planning activities meticulously to ensure that each student’s learning potential is maximised. By the end of the primary school phase, students are expected to be confident and well equipped to graduate to the next level with ease. 

From Grade 6 to Grade 8, students follow the Middle School programme. According to the school, the CBSE-affiliated curriculum has been modified to suit the unique needs of Indian and international students residing in the UAE.  It is designed to meet the exclusive developmental needs of young adolescents, offering a holistic education focusing on independence, collaboration and responsibility.  Teachers work to create a learning environment that encourages students' curiosity and inspires them to learn. To ensure holistic development of children, the curriculum includes both scholastic and co-scholastic areas.

Subjects offered from Grades 6 to 8 include English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, a second language (Hindi/French), Arabic, UAE Social Studies, Computer Studies/Artificial Intelligence, Art, Music, Dance, Physical Education, Moral Education, Life Skills, and Islamic Education (Mandatory for all Muslim students). 

In the Secondary and Senior Secondary school section, students from Grades 9 to 12 study for the  All India CBSE Secondary Schools Examination at the age of 16 (end of grade 10) and the All India Senior School Certificate Examination at age 18 (end of grade 12). The curriculum provides students with an in-depth and balanced understanding of broad subjects from Languages, Mathematics, Science and Social Science. The curriculum is structured in a way that communication skills, analytical reasoning and decision-making skills are each an area of focus for students.

Again, in common with the curriculum lower down the school, Credence strives to ensure a balance between the academic and non-academic subjects with a goal of cultivating core competencies in learners from both a scholastic and co-scholastic standpoint.  The co-scholastic subjects offered to secondary school students at Credence include Health and Physical Education, Life Skills, Values Education, Art Education and Work Education. A 'learner-centric' approach aims to enable students come into their own, discover their own true potential and lends them a sense of enterprise, whilst developing aesthetic sensibilities and a spirit of sportsmanship. 

Subjects available in Grade 9 and Grade 10 include English, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, Hindi/French, Arabic and UAE Social Studies (Grade 9 only), Artificial Intelligence, Art, Music, Dance, Physical Education, Moral Education, Life Skills and Islamic Education (mandatory for all Muslim students).

In common with most CBSE curriculum schools in the UAE, Credence offers solely Science and Commerce streams for Grades 11 and 12 - something that we at WhichSchoolAdvisor.com regret.  With global economies changing so rapidly, and opportunities for arts-focused students growing, we do feel that it is a pity that this option is not provided in the vast majority of Indian curriculum schools in the UAE.

For students who wish to follow the Science Stream, subjects include Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Economics, Computer science, Informatics Practices, Mathematics, and Applied Mathematics.   Additionally, students are also required to take English, Physical Education, Moral Education and Islamic Education (mandatory for all Muslim students).

Commerce Stream students are offered the usual, though slightly narrower, range of subjects including Business studies, Accountancy, Economics, Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Computer Studies and Informatics Practices. English, Physical Education, Moral Education and Islamic Education (mandatory for all Muslim students) are also required.

Credence is among a number of CBSE curriculum schools to offer what is referred to as Day Boarding which allows students to participate in an extended day programme. Extracurricular activities and links with the community are made such as visit to other schools, field trips, community work and activities including innovation. The Emirati club for Grade 1 to 3 offers opportunities to deepen students’ understanding of Emirati culture.

The school believes that sport and movement play an important role in the development of children, and emphasis is given to these activities through an additional After School sports programme, together with Martial Arts and Performing Arts. Activities include badminton, cricket, athletics, football, basketball, chess, swimming, karate, zumba, visual arts and music. 

What about support for students of Determination and those with Gifts and Talents?

Credence High School believes that students who have SEND requirements have the same right as all other students for admission, participation and equity. They have the right to engage and participate in a quality learning experience alongside same aged peers. In line with the KHDA's Inclusive Education policy, the school aims to support Students of Determination, provided that the provision is available to do so.

At the time of the most recent inspection, the school had some 80+ students of Determination registered with the KHDA.  The DSIB inspectors found that there are systems for identifying students of determination and those who are gifted and talented and that the provision of truly inclusive education is a high priority in the school and is supported by the inclusion governor and champion. 

The provision and outcomes for students of Determination is now rated Very Good.

A tailored Education Improvement Plan is in place, an advisory handbook has been compiled for staff and parents, and Inclusive Education Plans (IEPs) with detailed strategies are provided for classroom teachers.  However, the implementation of the strategies embedded in these IEPs and adaptations to suit students’ needs are not yet consistently applied by teachers. This will be a focus for improvement in the coming academic year and beyond.

What about Academic Achievement?

Unfortunately, Credence does not publish its CBSE exam results in full - something we hope will change as the situation returns to normal, post Covid, where public examinations around the world were either cancelled or based on teacher assessments. 

It does publish its Toppers information - and the fact that there was a 100% pass rate - but this provides little understanding of how successful the student cohort (of unknown size) has been overall. 

Grade XII toppers for 2022 can be found here, whilst Grade X toppers can be found here.

What about the facilities?

Credence High School is located in the heart of Al Qouz on a very large 7 acre site. The school is housed in a large L-shaped 3 floor building with the PreKG/KG and Grade 1 students having access to ground floor classrooms, and a shaded outdoor play area with age-appropriate play equipment.

Behind the play area is the large playing field for soccer and a running track with a separate building housing the swimming pool. There are also courts marked for basket ball and volleyball, tennis courts, and indoor swimming and splash pool. 

There is a large indoor multi-purpose hall with badminton courts which is used for indoor sports activity and for school programmes and musical activities. This incorporates a 1,000 seater auditorium.

What the inspectors say

Credence was awarded a Good rating - the minimum rating to which the Dubai regulator expects schools to aspire - for the third time in the October 2019 DSIB inspection.  It was one of relatively few schools to be inspected prior to the onset of the Covid 19 pandemic, which saw all inspections put on hold from early 2020 through to the end of the 2021 academic year.

However, as previously mentioned, it seems that Credence has used the unusual conditions during the pandemic to improve performance across the school significantly, gaining the KHDA's second highest Very Good rating.

In total, the school achieved 38 improvements from Good to Very Good across the six key performance standards, three improvements from Acceptable to Good (only Arabic and Islamic Studies retain any Acceptable ratings), and eight improvements from Very Good to Outstanding (notably in Students' Personal and Social Development and their Innovation skills, and for the relationship between the school, its parents and the community).

If there is an area of weakness - and in this instance we are pointing to Good rather than Very Good ratings - it is in the area of Primary school Teaching and Assessment and Middle school Teaching and in English Attainment in the KG and Primary school. 

However, it is clear that Credence has many strengths.  These were elaborated by the DSIB inspectors, who found the best features to be:

• The emphasis on the health and safety and well-being of all stakeholders leading to a caring and supportive atmosphere that permeates the school;
• The proactive senior leadership and its success in establishing a strong reading literacy programme;
• Students’ personal development and understanding of Emirati and world cultures;
• Improved attainment and progress in most subjects and the personal and skill development of children in KG;
• The constructive relationships with parents.

In terms of areas for improvement, the inspection team advises the school to:

• Review the teaching of Arabic, as an additional language, to ensure the best possible outcomes for all students.
• Provide more opportunities for students, particularly in Primary, to develop and demonstrate their learning and critical thinking skills.
• Ensure that the assessment data provided to teachers are used effectively in lessons to support the learning needs of all groups of students.
• Construct more focused school improvement plans with an emphasis on the actions that support and enhance students’ performance.

If you would like to read the inspection report - and we strongly recommend that you do so in order to understand the reasons behind the ratings and their relevance to you and your child(ren) - you will find it here.

The Buzz

It is evident from the DSIB inspection team's comments that relationships between the school and its community are strong.  These views are reinforced by the responses from over 100 parents that WhichSchoolAdvisor.com has received to our Parent survey. 

With an overall rating of 4.2/5 (or an approval rating of 84%), it is clear that parents are happy with choice. Over 60% of children enjoy going to school 'tremendously' with a further one-third enjoying school 'quite a bit' and 45% of children have a 'tremendous' sense of belonging. 

Interestingly, one third of parents who have completed our survey to-date had moved their children to Credence from another school in the UAE, with a further third having arrived from overseas and the remainder children who joined at the KG level who were already present in the UAE.

Satisfaction leaves do not appear to be high just among the students either! 83% of respondents were 100% satisfied with the academic performance of the school - and none were dissatisfied (although 25% did feel that additional tuition was required outside school, though this is below the UAE average of 29%).  Parents were confident about the ability of Credence to meet their child's learning needs. 

86% were fully satisfied with the level of feedback they receive from the school, and an even higher 87% were satisfied with the school's implementation of its disciplinary policy.  No parent was dissatisfied with either of these indicators.

And when it comes to the two key indicators that are so often a reflection of parents' views, whilst 56% of parents fully believed that the school's fees represent value for money, and a further 41% were in partial agreement with this statement, an overwhelming 95% of respondents would recommend Credence High School to other parents.

If you are a parent, teacher or student at Credence High School Dubai, please share your opinions and experience with other potential members of your community and complete our Surveys here.

In a new requirement from the KHDA, DSIB inspectors are now required to review and rate the quality of wellbeing provision and outcomes. Credence achieved the second highest rating, being found to provide a High level.

Inspectors noted:

• The detailed wellbeing policy highlights the importance of respect, care, and good health. A wellbeing focused vision influences all aspects of school life. The governing board and leaders prioritise wellbeing development. Reliable data is analysed and used to assess and identify strengths, needs, and concerns. This informs improvement planning. The school is considering how best to embed wellbeing themes more fully within curriculum subject areas. Themes promoting wellbeing are discussed every morning, and each class has a designated wellbeing champion.
• Students believe this is a happy school and feel listened to. They have strong relationships with their teachers and their peers. Internal and external surveys indicate a contented staff. They feel valued, supported and part of a family. There are avenues established for students, staff and parents to discuss wellbeing, the impact upon provision and other concerns. 
• The prioritisation of wellbeing is seen across the curriculum with examples of specific planning. Students feel safe, well supported, and fully engaged in lessons, with many examples of teachers encouraging and guiding them to take care of themselves and each other. The school understands the need to further develop opportunities for less able students to develop their confidence and leadership skills. Through their behaviour and conduct during lessons and around they school students demonstrate knowledge of safe and healthy living.

Our View

Back in 2014, when Credence High School opened, we visited the school and met with its leadership and admissions team.  Although there was clearly strong ambition from the owners, it was early days, and at the time this seemed like a very large building (and a very heavy investment) in a location that was not necessarily ideal. 

Nine years on, there is no doubt that Credence High School (which is not a high school at all, but a through-school for students from 3 to 18 years) has well and truly established itself as a school offering high standards of education and satisfaction among its parent community, staff, students and the regulator. 

We would recommend that any parent seeking a CBSE curriculum school at mid-range fees should seek out Credence - it is most definitely worth a visit!

What about the fees?

Credence High School offers a very bright, airy environment with committed staff for mid-range fees. These currently discounted fees range from AED 13,000 for PreKG to AED 26,000 to Grade 11 and 12.  Additional fees for books and uniforms range from just under AED 700 in pre-KG rising to just under AED 1,000 or  AED 1,100 in Grades 11 and 12 (depending on whether students study in the Commerce or Science).  Grade 9 fees at AED 1, 207 are the highest overall.

In 2021, Credence offered a number of scholarship options for students joining Grade 11 - which continues for 2023-24. New students who achieve pass rates of between 85-89% in the Pre board/ Board exam, may apply for a scholarship worth AED 5,000.  Students who had achieved over 90% may apply for a scholarship of AED 7,500.  Please contact the school directly for further information.

This school is in a Best School by parents ranking

Credence High School is a Best of school, a ranking determined by parent surveys on the site. It can be found in the following Best of rankings:

• #33 in Best Schools in the UAE
• #3 in Best Indian Schools in Dubai
• #3 in Best CBSE Schools in Dubai
• #24 in Best Schools in Dubai

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