Dubai Heights Academy

British, IB curriculum, Al Barsha Second, FS1–Year 12

Latest documents: Full Inspection Report 2023–24Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24, Parent Report 2023–24Source B: Parent Report 2023–24, summary only, Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27Source C: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

2023–24

Earlier reports

  1. 2022–23, Good, Full Inspection Report
  2. 2021–22, Good, Full Inspection Report
  3. 2020–21, Good, KHDA school directory (opens in a new tab)

Wellbeing Dubai focus area

Outstanding

2023–24

Inclusion Dubai focus area

Very good

2023–24

Checked 16 September 2026.

  1. Back to text, source A

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  2. Back to text, source B

    Parent Report 2023–24

    Summary only

    Checked 16 September 2026.

    Found only in the summary for parents. Answers do not use it as evidence.

  3. Back to text, source C

    Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

    Checked 16 September 2026.

Overview

The school

Curriculum
British, IB
Year groups
FS1–Year 12
Gender
Co-educational Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Report wording: Boys and girls
Languages of instruction
English, Arabic
Founded
2017
External examinations
GCSE, ASDAN Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

Students and staff

From KHDA’s 2023–24 inspection report, unless another year is named.

Largest nationality group
British Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
KHDA gives no share. Context only, never used in results.

Leadership

Principal at the 2023–⁠24 inspection
Alison Margaret Lamb Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Appointed 9 Jan 2019, as the report prints it.
Principals since 2021–⁠22
No change of principal
Alison Margaret Lamb, 2021–22 to 2023–24

Contact

Address
Al Barsha Second

Around the school

The map shows the streets and places around the school. The same places are counted in «Within 1 km» below.

© OpenStreetMap contributors

  1. Back to text, source A

    KHDA school directory 2024–25

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  2. Back to text, source B
  3. Back to text, source C

    KHDA school directory 2026–27

    Checked 16 September 2026.

Quality

KHDA ratings in the Full Inspection Report 2023–24. Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

KHDA visits schools again from 2026–27. A full inspection gives a new rating; a shorter monitoring visit does not.Source KHDA, 3 June 2026 (opens in a new tab)

  1. OverallOverall performance

    Very good

    Up from Good Earlier: Good in 3 reports.

  2. WellbeingStudents’ personal development and wellbeing

    Outstanding

    First rated in 2023–24

  3. InclusionProvision for students of determination

    Very good

    Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Very good in 1 report and Good in 1 report.

  4. LeadershipLeadership and management

    Very good

    Up from Good Earlier: Good in 2 reports.

Checked 16 September 2026.

Ratings by phase, 2023–24KHDA rates these in each phase, with no single rating for the whole school. Phases are named as the report names them.

AreaFoundation StagePrimarySecondary
TeachingTeaching for effective learningVery goodVery goodGood
AssessmentGoodVery goodVery good
CurriculumCurriculum design and implementationVery goodVery goodVery good
Adapting the curriculumCurriculum adaptationGoodVery goodVery good
SafeguardingHealth and safety, including child protectionOutstandingOutstandingOutstanding

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

  1. Back to text, source A

KHDA in brief

KHDA’s own one-page summary of its 2023–24 inspection, written for parents, word for word. The full inspection report remains the reference. Source A: Parent Report 2023–24, summary only

Students’ achievement

Students make very good progress in English, mathematics, and science and across a broad curriculum in the arts, humanities, languages and PE. In Arabic and Islamic education, students mostly make good progress. In English, mathematics and science students' levels of attainment are at least good and frequently very good. In Arabic and Islamic education, their levels of attainment are at least acceptable.

Personal and social development

Students are highly self-disciplined, respectful, and possess a strong sense of community. They actively participate in leadership roles, embrace healthy lifestyles, and maintain high attendance and punctuality rates. There's a deep appreciation for Islamic values and Emirati culture, though younger students are less engaged in cultural events. Students celebrate diversity and engage in community service. They are environmentally conscious, contributing to sustainability efforts within and beyond the school

Teaching, curriculum and care

Teaching in Foundation Stage (FS) and Primary is exceptional, with very strong teaching also seen in Secondary. Effective planning and resource utilisation, particularly in mathematics and science, stand out. Lessons are very well planned and resourced; learning environments and interactions between staff and students are highly positive. Assessment practices align with benchmarks. Data-driven curriculum adaptations very effectively meet diverse needs.

Wellbeing

This is a school for _all_ students. The school's commitment to academic achievement, inclusion and personal development, driven by world class leadership, ensures that all students thrive. Staff feel highly valued due to extensive support and training. Relationships at the school are based on mutual respect and shared values, with regular surveys allowing the community to influence its direction. Students exhibit respect, discipline, and resilience, actively participating in activities that bolster their ambitions and career readiness.

Inclusion

The school, under highly effective governance and leadership, excels in inclusive education, catering to a wide range of student needs, from severe learning difficulties to the most able. Its inclusive approach is supported by detailed assessments and a multidisciplinary strategy, allowing for personalised educational plans. Strong partnerships with parents enhance support, particularly for those on specialist education paths. The school offers a varied curriculum, including an effective ASDAN program, ensuring students with diverse needs thrive.

Leadership and management

Under exceptional leadership, the school sets very high standards in education and well-being for its diverse community, with a shared vision and clear accountability delivering a strong sense of purpose. Governors, parents, staff and students are engaged to ensure that quality assurance focuses on student achievement and personal growth. This is supported by comprehensive and accurate data analysis. Excellent facilities and a professional development programme for all staff enhance the quality of leadership, management, teaching and student support in this learning community where everybody thrives.

  1. Back to text, source A

    Parent Report 2023–24

    Summary only

    Page 1

    Checked 16 September 2026.

    Found only in the summary for parents. Answers do not use it as evidence.

School year

31 Aug 2026 to 2 Jul 2027 · 185 school days

First midterm break
12 Oct 2026 to 16 Oct 20265 days
National Day
2 Dec 2026 to 3 Dec 20262 days
Winter break includes New year’s day
14 Dec 2026 to 1 Jan 202719 days
Eid al-Fitr
8 Mar 2027 to 11 Mar 20274 daysexpected, subject to moon sighting
Spring break
5 Apr 2027 to 9 Apr 20275 days
Eid al-Adha
17 May 2027 to 18 May 20272 daysexpected, subject to moon sighting

Public holidays are tentative and subject to official government announcements (KHDA).

Source Source A: KHDA school directory 2026–27

  1. Back to text, source A

    KHDA school directory 2026–27

    Checked 16 September 2026.

Academics

Academic outcomes, Dubai Heights Academy

Attainment by subject and phase, 2023–24KHDA words for each subject in each phase.

SubjectFoundation StagePrimarySecondary
Islamic EducationNot in this reportAcceptableAcceptable
ArabicNot in this reportAcceptableAcceptable
EnglishVery goodGoodGood
MathematicsGoodGoodGood
ScienceVery goodVery goodVery good

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

Arabic at every school in Dubai: at least 4 lessons a week from Year 2 to Year 10 for a child of non-Arab nationality. Arab children have 4 to 6 lessons to Year 13; Muslim children also study Islamic Education.Source KHDA, Guidelines on National Mandatory Subjects, page 14 (opens in a new tab)

Subjects over the years

KHDA's words in every Full Inspection Report since 2015–16, each row and phase as the reports print them.

Subjects over the years, Dubai Heights Academy

Islamic Education, by inspection report

Rated2021–222022–232023–24
Islamic Education attainmentPrimaryWeakAcceptableAcceptable
Islamic Education attainmentSecondaryWeakAcceptableAcceptable
Islamic Education progressPrimaryAcceptableAcceptableGood
Islamic Education progressSecondaryAcceptableAcceptableGood

International and benchmark tests

The National Agenda section of each Full Inspection Report since 2015–16: the school's results in PISA, TIMSS, PIRLS and benchmark tests against KHDA's targets. The only results in the reports that are not an inspector's judgement.

KHDA's verdicts, 2023–24

AspectWhole schoolEmirati cohort
International and Benchmark AchievementGoodGood
Teaching and Learning: Improving reading literacyGoodVery good
Overall school standards in the National Agenda ParameterGoodNot in this report

Registration requirements: Met Fully

  • The school's first results in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) in 2021 showed that with an overall score of 512 and a target of 547, the performance was acceptable.
  • Students’ progression in standardised benchmark assessments saw English move to very good, mathematics remain at good, and science outstanding.
  • The school implements a comprehensive National Agenda action plan, with a strong emphasis on enhancing reading standards, as assessed by the New Group Reading Test (NGRT) outcomes.

Earlier reports

  • 2022–23: Overall, the school’s progression to achieve the UAE National Agenda targets — meets expectations

Recognised by UAE universities?

UAE universities ask for the Ministry of Education’s equivalency of the Grade 12 certificate. For this school’s curricula, the student needs:

  • British: five IGCSE or GCSE passes (grade E or 3) and one A level or two AS levels (grade E).
  • IB: the IB Diploma, or six IB subject certificates at grade 3 or above with 21 points, including English, maths and a science.

Arab students also need Arabic, and Muslim students Islamic Studies, in each of the last three years.
KHDA attests the certificate first. Ask the school which body accredits it.Source Ministry of Education, equivalency service, read 24 September 2026 (opens in a new tab)

  1. Back to text, source A

School life

Sports and activities

What the school lists on its own website and what KHDA’s inspectors mention in their reports. An activity missing here may still be offered.

Ball sports

  • Football · paid activities are provided by external providers
  • Basketball · paid activities are provided by external providers
  • Netball

Water sports

  • Swimming

Racket sports

  • Tennis · paid activities are provided by external providers

Individual sports

  • Athletics · cross-country
  • Gymnastics · paid activities are provided by external providers
  • Martial arts · Karate · paid activities are provided by external providers
  • Golf · golfing partnership with the prestigious Tommy Fleetwood Academy · paid activities are provided by external providers
  • Yoga & fitness · Mindfulness & Yoga · school-led and free activities

Dance

  • Ballet · paid activities are provided by external providers
  • Dance (other) · Desert Dance competitions

Theatre

  • Drama · Drama Club · school-led and free activities

Music

  • Choir & singing · choir rehearsals · Choir
  • Orchestra & bands · Tuned Percussion · Rock Band
  • Instrument lessons · instrumental lessons

Art & design

  • Art · Drawing for Fun · school-led and free activities

Science & technology

  • Robotics · paid activities are provided by external providers
  • Coding · AI curriculum · developed in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Boston
    ·

Debate & strategy

  • Debate & public speaking · Debating Club · school-led and free activities
  • Chess · paid activities are provided by external providers

Facilities

  • Swimming pool
  • Sports hall
  • Playing field
  • Sports courts
  • Art studio
  • Music rooms

Source Source A: School website, read 2026-09-22

  1. Back to text, source A

    School website, read 22 September 2026

    Checked 22 September 2026.

What the school offers

As the 2023–24 inspection report mentions them. Inspectors name these in passing, so this is not the school's full list: something not named here may still be offered. A line's page opens the report's sentence.

Languages besides English

  • Arabic · Arabic is taught to Arab and non-Arab children for two lessons per week in FS1 and FS2 and three lessons per week in Year 1.

Courses after 16

  • Alternative pathways

External examinations

  • GCSE
  • ASDAN

Facilities

  • Library
  • Specialist areas

Support for students of determination and the gifted

  • The school establishes a highly effective approach to identifying and assessing students' specific, individual learning requirements. p. 21
  • Through well-defined policies and an efficient referral system, those students who need additional support are identified and appropriate support is provided. p. 21

Source Source A: Full Inspection Report 2023–24

  1. Back to text, source A

On the school's website

What the school says about itself on dubaiheightsacademy.com, read on 22 September 2026. The school's own words, not checked by KHDA; a figure here is the school's own count. The site's name beside a line opens that page.

Where leavers go

Class size

Admissions

School buses

Source Source A: School website, read 2026-09-22

  1. Back to text, source A

    School website, read 22 September 2026

    Checked 22 September 2026.

Fees

Tuition across 14 year groupsNote 1

AED 48,688 to AED 96,880Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

FS1 to Year 12, 2026–27

Year group

Fees for Dubai Heights Academy
Compare with

Tuition is the same as in 2025–26 for every year group.

Annual tuition by year group, Dubai Heights Academy, 2026–27 compared with 2025–26

Year group2026–27Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–272025–26Source B: Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26
Foundation Stage
FS1AED 48,688AED 48,688
FS2AED 55,536AED 55,536
Primary
Year 1AED 55,536AED 55,536
Year 2AED 56,393AED 56,393
Year 3AED 56,393AED 56,393
Year 4AED 58,533AED 58,533
Year 5AED 60,994AED 60,994
Year 6AED 64,312AED 64,312
Secondary
Year 7AED 70,411AED 70,411
Year 8AED 73,728AED 73,728
Year 9AED 79,185AED 79,185
Year 10AED 90,741AED 90,741
Year 11AED 90,741AED 90,741
Post-16
Year 12AED 96,880AED 96,880

Checked 16 September 2026.

  1. Back to text, note 1

    The range names the lowest and highest tuition on one Fees Fact Sheet. Fees are never averaged across year groups.

  2. Back to text, source A

    Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27

    Tuition for 14 year groups.

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  3. Back to text, source B

    Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26

    Tuition for 14 year groups.

    Checked 16 September 2026.

  4. Back to text, note 2

    Change compares the same year group in the two fact sheets. Fees are never averaged across year groups.

What a year costs, 2026–27

Choose a year group above to see KHDA's total for it, what the school requires you to buy, and the services you can add.

Findings

9 findings in the last report: 5 strengths, 4 development points, 2 recurring across the last 3 reports.

Group by

Checked 16 September 2026.

Attainment and progress

Note 1

1 strength, 1 development point

  • Strength

    Strong academic achievement with examples of very strong teaching seen in all phases of the school

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 5

  • Development required, recurring in 2 of the last 3 reportsNote 2

    Translate the rapidly improving rates of progress into stronger attainment in relevant key subjects and phases.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 14

Personal development and wellbeing

1 strength, 1 development point

  • Strength

    Students' strong personal development

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 6

  • Development required

    Embed the school's engagement with the local community, ensuring that students are increasingly proactive in driving these.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 12

Leadership and self-evaluation

1 strength

  • Strength

    The accuracy of the school’s self-evaluation and the capacity of leaders and governors to drive improvement

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 7

Staffing, facilities and resources

1 strength

  • Strength

    The united and dedicated staff who ensure that this is a safe, welcoming and happy school.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 8

Inclusion of students of determination

1 strength

  • Strength

    Excellent inclusive education practices and very strong care, guidance, and support, leading to outstanding levels of wellbeing

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 9

Teaching

1 development point

  • Development required, recurring in 2 of the last 3 reports

    Identify and disseminate best practice to promote students’ independence and self-reliance more consistently in lessons.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 11

Other

1 development point

  • Development required

    Expand the school's contributions to national and international initiatives.

    Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 13

Findings from 1 of 3 reports

  1. Back to text, note 1

    Topics follow the order of the KHDA inspection framework, not how good or bad a finding is.

  2. Back to text, note 2

    Recurring counts the school’s last 3 reports, 2021–22 to 2023–24. Findings come only from Full Inspection Reports, never from Parent Reports.

History

3 KHDA inspection reports on file, 2021–22 to 2023–24.

History of Dubai Heights Academy
Rating

Overall rating by academic year, newest first

  1. 2026–27Inspections resume this year. No report yet.
  2. 2024–25 and 2025–26KHDA paused full inspections. The 2023–24 rating is still the latest. About the pause
  3. 2023–24Very goodUp from GoodNote 1Full Inspection Report 2023–24 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  4. 2022–23GoodSame as 2021–22Full Inspection Report 2022–23 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  5. 2021–22GoodSame as 2020–21Full Inspection Report 2021–22 (opens in a new tab) PDF
  6. 2020–21GoodFirst reportReport not online
  7. 2017–18 to 2019–20No inspection.
  8. Opened in 2017–18. No reports before this year.

Checked 16 September 2026.

  1. Back to text, note 1

    Change compares each report with the school’s previous report. Years with no inspection are skipped, never counted as a change.

Snapshots by year

Students and staff by academic year, Dubai Heights Academy

YearStudentsTeachersTeacher turnover
2024–25645Not availableNot available
2023–2432139Not available
2022–232983219%
2021–22232274%
2020–21168Not availableNot available
2019–20246Not availableNot available
2018–19122Not availableNot available
2017–1850Not availableNot available

Not available: KHDA did not publish that figure for the year.