Dunecrest American School

Students, across all phases, are achieving at a good or better level in English, math and science. Children in Kindergarten (KG) are building their learning rapidly to very high levels of knowledge, skills and understanding. The results of students in High in English are very impressive. In the main, progress and attainment of students in Elementary, Middle and High in Islamic education and the Arabic subjects is no more than what is expected.

All students' personal and social development is at a very high level. The behaviors of students in Middle and High is improved, this year. Attitudes to schooling are better and students have missed fewer days of learning. This year, students generally show an improved knowledge and understanding of Islamic values, knowledge of Emirati heritage and other world cultures. All students are taking responsibility for aspects of school. Students in the high school phase are supporting the learning of the younger students.

Teaching quality and students' learning skills are predominantly good or better, excelling in KG where the majority of lessons are very good. The school implements effective systems to record and analyze student achievement, prompting curriculum adjustments and targeted support. The curriculum provides a balanced mix of knowledge, skills, and understanding, building progressively on students' previous learning. High school offers well-designed, diverse pathways aligning with career aspirations, while KG curriculum is adeptly tailored to student needs. High school students benefit from enriched opportunities, including presenting at COP28.

Governors and senior leaders place well-being as a high priority in this inclusive school. The experienced well-being team work effectively to ensure student needs are carefully monitored and met. Leaders are creating a positive learning environment, where all are respected and valued. Surveys of the community's well-being are made, reviewed and acted upon. Staff morale is high. A range of extra-curricular activities promote physical and cultural well-being. Students enjoy school and support each other well.

This is a caring and very inclusive school. There are accurate procedures to assess and identify students' needs. The process for recogizing and providing for students with gifts and talents remains at an early stage of development. Parents are very positive about the support their children receive. They are fully involved in the planning for their child's learning and receive timely and helpful feedback on progress. Most students, overall, make at least good progress from their starting points.

Senior leaders have been successful, this year, in addressing most recommendations from the previous inspection report. There is now a clearer focus on student achievement and the quality of learning. Parents continue to be highly involved in the school and enabled to support their children in the home. Governance continues to provide very good support to the school in its improvement journey, particularly in respect of the excellent facility and the number and quality of staff and resources.