Welcome to the Liwa International School for Girls official Q and A page. Here we ask the questions, and the school answers directly. It is its chance to have its say on specific areas you have told us you want to know about. If you think there are additional questions we should be asking you may contact us here.

Does your school have a waiting list? In which years?

For selected classes in the lower grades, particularly in the Kindergarten.

What are qualities and characteristics that define your school and its students?

Our school is the only all-girls private school in the Al Ain region of Abu Dhabi. We are the sister school of a well-established co-educational school in the Falaj Hazza area of Al Ain. We have a brand new building with beautiful facilities that help to support the extensive and varied curriculum. The school environment often has a calm and organised feel to it and as a result of that the school systems run smoothly.

How many nationalities are represented in your school? How international would you say your school is?

We have 13 nationalities in total.

Are there high proportions of a particular nationality?

94% Emirati girls.

What is the teacher: student ratio in your school?

We have a teacher and a learning support assistant in every class from KG1 - Grade 3. We have a maximum of 24 students KG classes and a maximum of 25 students in all other grades.

KG 1&2 -1:24

Grade 1-12 - 1:25

Does your school measure Value Added data? Please provide details of how you measure, and current Value Added benchmark scores.

Yes we do. Our students make rapid progress from their starting points, which is measured through both internal and external assessments.

If external examinations and assessments are part of your curriculum, which ones do you offer?

MAP International Assessments, EMSA exams

What percentage of your sixth form that take exams at 18 go to university, and where, in general, do they go?

We have our first class of G12 this year, so far 3 students received offer letters from different universities around the world.

Describe your school's approach to education and teaching?

We strive to provide an outstanding international education that challenges and inspires our students to excel. We believe in an approach that instills a love of learning where students can thrive and achieve their very best as independent learners. We understand that children are different and their strengths lie in different areas - academic, athletic, creative to name a few. Our students will be taught to analyze, reason and reflect, giving them the skills needed to progress and to be successful in any area. For that reason, we provide a child-centered approach to education taking into consideration each child’s differentiated needs and individual learning styles.

Do you develop independent learning through homework and, if so, what are your recommendations regarding this, particularly time spent on homework?

We have an outstanding variety of e-learning resources available on the Chromebooks that are provided to students in G6-12. KG- G5 students have ipads in the classrooms and all login information is sent to parents for use at home. The time for homework is limited by our homework policy which is aligned to best practice for different ages. Reading in Arabic and English is an expectation every day for all of our students. We monitor the usage of our e-readers to keep track of the students reading at home. We also have paper-based homework in their homework books that go home on Sundays for KG1-Grade4 and via a homework schedule in Grade 5-12.

Physical education and sport is an important aspect of a healthy lifestyle. How does your school ensure children engage in physical activity?

We offer regular PE lessons as part of the curriculum for all grades from KG1 - G12. We also encourage our students to participate in our various extra curricular activities such as swimming, ballet, fitness club, yoga and our annual sports day. We have also established sports teams in our school for football and basketball.

How does your school promote healthy lifestyles?

We have a healthy living committee who help run various events throughout the year but to add to that we try to educate our parents as well to ensure they support a healthy life. We run several classes for mothers and daughters to do together such as cooking class, where they learn how to make different dishes using healthy ingredients. We have also run zumba exercise classes and other workshops to engage our mothers and their children in exercise.

How do you promote healthy eating?

We have a healthy eating policy and students are encouraged not to bring any junk food to school. We reward our students for bringing healthy lunches and for making healthy choices using our home-school communication tool by awarding them points. We also hold healthy living weeks and students are encouraged to research healthy food and create presentations to explain how they benefit the body.

Does the school have cafeteria facilities for the students? How does it promote a balanced diet?

Yes we do, the menu is published online every month on our website.

What is the approximate average cost of a lunchtime meal?

Between Dhs10-15 depending on the quantity they require would be a standard amount.

What is the starting and finishing time of your school day?

Kindergarten: Students can arrive at 7am but lessons begin at 7.30am and we dismiss students at 1pm.

Grade 1-12: Students can arrive at 7am but lessons start at 7.30am and dismissal is at 2.30pm.

Is there a school uniform?

Yes

Please advise on your discipline policy?

We have aligned our behaviour policy with the requirements of ADEK. However, we are blessed to have very few issues with behaviour.

How do you feedback progress and attainment to students and parents?

We share assessment data from our MAP assessments with the older students to help them feel a sense of responsibility about where they are going in their learning journey. This allows them to see the gaps in their own learning and helps us collectively work towards a common goal. We do target setting with all of our students following each assessment point and these targets are then shared with parents in termly parent-teacher meetings. This has really helped our parents and students understand their true levels and help support more rapid progress towards where they should be.

How often is the more formal feedback such as reports and parent/teacher meetings?

We provide reports 3 times a year, at the end of each term. We also conduct parent-meetings at the beginning of each term.

Which languages are taught at your school - please detail any as a first as well as second language?

French

Do you offer EAL or TEFL support for those students where English is not their first language?

Yes, we have a very detailed intervention support schedule, which is updated regularly.

Do you offer a dedicated prayer room/s for students? For which faiths?

Yes we do.

How do you support gifted, able and talented students?

We identify G&T students just as we would for students in need of support. Once identified we then develop advanced learning plans (ALPs) to ensure they are challenged, whether it is from an academic or creative outlet.

Do you have a learning support team in your school?

Yes we do

Not all schools are staffed or resourced to offer learning support to those children with either moderate or significant learning needs. To what level can you offer support for those with learning differences?

We can support with differentiation in the classroom, setting across a grade in particular subjects and providing intervention support both inside and outside the classroom.

Does your school have particular expertise in dealing with a specific learning need such as dyslexia, dyspraxia, aspergers syndrome and so forth?

we have a SENCo from the UK, who is very experienced and worked in a special needs school prior to joining us. She has worked with a wide variety of learning needs.

Does your school have an educational psychologist or access to one to assess and support those youngsters with more challenging learning and emotional needs?

No we don't, but we do have a recommended referral list.

Do you have a parents’ group supporting the school?

Yes we do for each classroom and a parent council.

Are there opportunities for parents to support the learning, activities and events within the school or on trips other than through the parent group?

Yes, we have plenty of those opportunities.

Is there an opportunity for parental representation on your school Board of Governors?

We have a parent governor on our school board, his details are sent to the other parents and he attends our board meetings 3 times a year.

Do you offer specific activities, events or information sessions for those parents new to the school and/or area?

Yes we do, we run at least 3 workshops a term and make sure to advertise them through our social media platforms, websites and through emails.