International School of Creative Science Nad Alshiba
British curriculum, Nadd Al Shiba Third, FS1–Year 13
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
Overall rating
Earlier reports
- 2022–23, Good, Full Inspection Report
- 2020–21 and 2021–22, no inspection
- 2019–20, Good, Full Inspection Report
- 2018–19, Good, Full Inspection Report
Wellbeing Dubai focus area
Inclusion Dubai focus area
Checked 16 September 2026.
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Checked 16 September 2026.
- 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.
- Back to text, source C
Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27
Checked 16 September 2026.
Overview
The school
- Curriculum
- British
- Year groups
- FS1–Year 13
- Languages of instruction
- English
- Founded
- 2016
- External examinations
- IGCSE, A-level, GLPTs Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Accreditation
- BSO and BSME Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Extra-curricular activities
- Basketball, Swimming, Debate & public speaking and more, 3 confirmed
Students and staff
From KHDA’s 2023–24 inspection report, unless another year is named.
- Students, 2024–25
- 1,655 Source A: KHDA school directory 2024–25
- Teachers
- 153 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Students of determination
- 103 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Emirati students
- 693 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Largest nationality group
- Emirati Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- KHDA gives no share. Context only, never used in results.
- Guidance counsellors
- 1 Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Leadership
- Principal at the 2023–24 inspection
- Ataullah Parkar Source B: Full Inspection Report 2023–24
- Appointed 1 Jan 2020, as the report prints it.
- Principals since 2018–19
- 1 change of principal
- Naveed Iqbal, 2018–19 → Ataullah Parkar, 2019–20 to 2023–24
Contact
- Address
- Nadd Al Shiba Third
- Phone and email
- +971 4 510 7000Linaa@nas.iscs.sch.ae
- As KHDA's directory listed it on 2026-09-18. Source C: KHDA school directory 2026–27
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
- Back to text, source A
KHDA school directory 2024–25
Checked 16 September 2026.
- Back to text, source B
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Page 3
Checked 16 September 2026.
- 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)
OverallOverall performance
Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Good in 3 reports.
WellbeingStudents’ personal development and wellbeing
First rated in 2023–24
InclusionProvision for students of determination
Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Good in 2 reports.
LeadershipLeadership and management
Same as 2022–23 Earlier: Good in 1 report.
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.
| Area | Foundation Stage | Primary | Secondary | Post-16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TeachingTeaching for effective learning | ||||
| Assessment | ||||
| CurriculumCurriculum design and implementation | ||||
| Adapting the curriculumCurriculum adaptation | ||||
| SafeguardingHealth and safety, including child protection |
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Page 6
Checked 16 September 2026.
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' progress and attainment have improved at various phases in Arabic as a first language, English, mathematics and science. Attainment and progress in all core subjects are now at a good or better level. Progress and attainment in science in Primary and progress in English in Secondary have improved to a very good level. Students' learning skills continue to be well-developed across all phases.
Personal and social development
Students' personal and social skills have improved at post-16. Those skills are now very well developed at all phases. Students’ understanding of Islamic values and Emirati culture is similarly well developed. While students’ understanding of world cultures is weaker, it is good overall. Students’ innovation skills and appreciation of environmental issues are good too, but with scope for further improvement.
Teaching, curriculum and care
The overall quality of teaching is consistent across all phases, with teachers demonstrating solid subject knowledge and providing clear explanations. However, in some areas, there is room for improvement in fostering critical thinking and independent learning skills among students. Assessment practices have notably advanced in the Foundation Stage (FS), achieving a 'very good' standard, while maintaining a 'good' level throughout the other phases. The quality of feedback, along with self and peer assessments, varies.
Wellbeing
The school excels in prioritising well-being, with senior leadership accurately identifying and addressing stakeholder concerns. Well-being ambassadors among staff and students play a key role in ensuring broad representation of views. A range of initiatives, including social and moral education alongside assemblies, strengthen well-being efforts. Pupils are well-informed about the significance of healthy eating, consistent exercise, and digital safety. An atmosphere of kindness prevails, empowering students to share their thoughts confidently and free from derision.
Inclusion
A well-qualified inclusion leader, aided by a co-ordinator, provides effective leadership. The school has clear procedures for identifying students' barriers to learning. Interventions to support students are usually effective. Collaborative work between teachers and learning support assistants to meet needs is not always as effective as it could be. Almost all parents speak positively about the support their children receive. Students generally meet their targets. Some are succesfully following external examination courses or alternative pathways.
Leadership and management
The principal and senior leadership team benefit from mutual support. They know the school's development needs and are increasingly bringing about steady improvements. The involvement of parents in the school is a notable strength, and partnerships have improved to the highest level. Governors support the school and hold it to account very well. Leaders manage staff, facilities and resources very effectively.
- 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).
- Back to text, source A
KHDA school directory 2026–27
Checked 16 September 2026.
Academics
Attainment by subject and phase, 2023–24KHDA words for each subject in each phase.
| Subject | Foundation Stage | Primary | Secondary | Post-16 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Islamic Education | Not in this report | |||
| Arabic | Not in this report | |||
| English | Not in this report | |||
| Mathematics | ||||
| Science |
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, International School of Creative Science Nad AlshibaIslamic Education, by inspection report
| Rated | 2018–19 | 2019–20 | 2022–23 | 2023–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Islamic Education attainmentPrimary | ||||
| Islamic Education attainmentSecondary | ||||
| Islamic Education attainmentPost-16 | Islamic Education attainment, Post-16: not rated from 2018–19 to 2019–20 | |||
| Islamic Education progressPrimary | ||||
| Islamic Education progressSecondary | ||||
| Islamic Education progressPost-16 | Islamic Education progress, Post-16: not rated from 2018–19 to 2019–20 | |||
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
| Aspect | Whole school | Emirati cohort |
|---|---|---|
| International and Benchmark Achievement | ||
| Leadership: International and Emirati Good Achievement | Not in this report | |
| Teaching and Learning: Improving reading literacy |
Registration requirements: Met Fully
- With an average score of 561, the school exceeded its target in the Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) 2021 by 14 points.
- Emirati students under attained in the benchmark assessments.
- Over a two-year series of General Learning (GL) tests, most students made better than expected progress in science and a large majority of Emirati students made better than expected progress in English.
Earlier reports
- 2022–23: Overall, the school’s progression to achieve the UAE National Agenda targets — meets expectations
- 2019–20: Overall, the school’s progression to achieve the UAE National Agenda targets — meets expectations
- 2018–19: Impact of Leadership — is above expectations
Recognised by UAE universities?
UAE universities ask for the Ministry of Education’s equivalency of the Grade 12 certificate. For this school’s curriculum, the student needs:
- British: five IGCSE or GCSE passes (grade E or 3) and one A level or two AS levels (grade E).
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)
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Page 6
Checked 16 September 2026.
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
- Basketball · for girls
Water sports
- Swimming · swimming pool
Debate & strategy
- Debate & public speaking · debating
Facilities
- Swimming pool
- Sports hall
Mentioned in earlier KHDA reports
- Coding
Also mentioned: Math Competitions, Quran Memorization, basic culinary classes
- Back to text, source A
School website, read 23 September 2026
Checked 23 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, as a first language
Courses after 16
- Vocational offer
Facilities
- Library
External examinations
- IGCSE
- A-level
- GLPTs
Support for students of determination and the gifted
- Ensure teachers and learning support assistants (LSA) collaborate effectively in accommodating the needs of all students, particularly those with more complex challenges. p. 21
- Individual Education Plans (IEPs) provide specific guidance on strategies to meet students’ needs. p. 22
- Withdrawal sessions are well planned and reinforce learning. p. 22
- The school has clear identification procedures following the KHDA categorisations. p. 22
- Results show that targets are being met, students are following IGCSE courses and alternative pathways and, being entered for external examinations. p. 22
- Back to text, source A
Full Inspection Report 2023–24
Page 3
Checked 16 September 2026.
On the school's website
What the school says about itself on iscs.sch.ae, 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.
Admissions
- «The admissions cycle for next academic year will open from January of the current academic year, and returning ISCS students looking to book seats for the following academic year, may do so from the month of January as well, of every year.» iscs.sch.ae on the school's website, opens in a new tab
- «Admission depends on availability of seats, on a first-come, first-served basis, and age of the child.» iscs.sch.ae on the school's website, opens in a new tab
- «Admission will also be based on entrance tests, for each year and key stage level.» iscs.sch.ae on the school's website, opens in a new tab
- «Due to high demands, prospective students for Years 3 and above, will also be required to undertake a CAT4 (Cognitive Ability Testing) test, on a published date and location.» iscs.sch.ae on the school's website, opens in a new tab
School buses
- «The International School of Creative Science offers transport facilities for its students.» iscs.sch.ae on the school's website, opens in a new tab
- Back to text, source A
School website, read 22 September 2026
Checked 22 September 2026.
Fees
Tuition across 15 year groupsNote 1
AED 34,287 to AED 65,504Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27
FS1 to Year 13, 2026–27
Tuition is the same as in 2025–26 for every year group.
Annual tuition by year group, International School of Creative Science Nad Alshiba, 2026–27 compared with 2025–26
| Year group | 2026–27Source A: Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27 | 2025–26Source B: Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26 |
|---|---|---|
| Foundation Stage | ||
| FS1 | AED 34,287 | AED 34,287 |
| FS2 | AED 34,287 | AED 34,287 |
| Primary | ||
| Year 1 | AED 38,381 | AED 38,381 |
| Year 2 | AED 38,381 | AED 38,381 |
| Year 3 | AED 38,381 | AED 38,381 |
| Year 4 | AED 45,034 | AED 45,034 |
| Year 5 | AED 45,034 | AED 45,034 |
| Year 6 | AED 45,034 | AED 45,034 |
| Secondary | ||
| Year 7 | AED 53,734 | AED 53,734 |
| Year 8 | AED 53,734 | AED 53,734 |
| Year 9 | AED 53,734 | AED 53,734 |
| Year 10 | AED 59,875 | AED 59,875 |
| Year 11 | AED 59,875 | AED 59,875 |
| Post-16 | ||
| Year 12 | AED 65,504 | AED 65,504 |
| Year 13 | AED 65,504 | AED 65,504 |
Checked 16 September 2026.
- 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.
- Back to text, source A
Fees Fact Sheet 2026–27
Tuition for 15 year groups.
Checked 16 September 2026.
- Back to text, source B
Fees Fact Sheet 2025–26
Tuition for 15 year groups.
Checked 16 September 2026.
- 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
12 findings in the last report: 5 strengths, 7 development points, 6 recurring across the last 4 reports.
Personal development and wellbeing
Note 12 strengths, 1 development point
Strength
Students' highly developed personal and social skills, and their knowledge, understanding and application of Islamic principles in their daily lives
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 5
Strength
The very strong values-based community ethos of the school
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 9
Development required
Ensure that all groups of students have opportunities to express their own wellbeing in the school.
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 10, paragraph 9
Attainment and progress
1 strength
Strength
Improvements in students' progress and attainment, ensuring that all key subjects these are now good or better
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 6
Health, safety and safeguarding
1 strength
Strength
The very effective implementation of the school's arrangements for the health, safety, care and wellbeing of all
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 7
Leadership and self-evaluation
1 strength
Strength
The self-evaluation procedures involving teamwork between the principal, senior leaders, parents and governors which are leading to improvements in students’ outcomes
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 8
Teaching
2 development points
Development required, recurring in 4 of the last 4 reportsNote 2
Build on the well-established good teaching and recent improvements in students’ achievement to ensure that all students consistently achieve the best of which they are capable.
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 11
Development required, recurring in 4 of the last 4 reportsStudents of determination
Provide high-quality provision for students with more complex learning needs and support teachers and assistants to meet the widening range more effectively.
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 14
Curriculum and challenge
2 development points
Development required, recurring in 3 of the last 4 reports
Broaden students' knowledge, understanding and practical experience of world cultures and their social and environmental awareness.
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 12
Development required, recurring in 3 of the last 4 reportsPost-16 phase
Strengthen the design, implementation and adaptation of the curriculum in the growing post-16 phase.
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 5, paragraph 13
Reading and literacy
2 development points
Development required, recurring in 2 of the last 4 reportsEmirati students and boys
Further analyse the impact of intervention strategies to support Emirati boys’ interest and proficiency in reading.
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 9, paragraph 5
Development required, recurring in 2 of the last 4 reports
Promote reading strategies that improve even further students’ fluency and their comprehension skills.
Full Inspection Report 2023–24, page 9, paragraph 6
Findings from 1 of 4 reports
- Back to text, note 1
Topics follow the order of the KHDA inspection framework, not how good or bad a finding is.
- Back to text, note 2
Recurring counts the school’s last 4 reports, 2018–19 to 2023–24. Findings come only from Full Inspection Reports, never from Parent Reports.
History
4 KHDA inspection reports on file, 2018–19 to 2023–24.
History of International School of Creative Science Nad AlshibaOverall rating by academic year, newest first
- 2026–27Inspections resume this year. No report yet.
- 2024–25 and 2025–26KHDA paused full inspections. The 2023–24 rating is still the latest. About the pause
- 2023–24Same as 2022–23Note 1Full Inspection Report 2023–24 (opens in a new tab)
- 2022–23Same as 2019–20Full Inspection Report 2022–23 (opens in a new tab)
- 2020–21 and 2021–22No inspection.
- 2019–20Same as 2018–19Full Inspection Report 2019–20 (opens in a new tab)
- 2018–19First reportFull Inspection Report 2018–19 (opens in a new tab)
- 2016–17 and 2017–18No inspection.
Checked 16 September 2026.
- 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, International School of Creative Science Nad Alshiba
| Year | Students | Teachers | Teacher turnover |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024–25 | 1,655 | Not available | Not available |
| 2023–24 | 1,686 | 153 | Not available |
| 2022–23 | 1,461 | 134 | 10% |
| 2021–22 | 1,212 | Not available | Not available |
| 2020–21 | 1,046 | Not available | Not available |
| 2019–20 | 1,188 | 97 | 13% |
| 2018–19 | 891 | 77 | 13% |
| 2017–18 | 569 | Not available | Not available |
| 2016–17 | 242 | Not available | Not available |
Not available: KHDA did not publish that figure for the year.
Sources
Every document behind this page. Official documents open on the KHDA site in a new tab.
Full Inspection Reports · PDF, English
Parent Reports · PDF, English
A shorter summary for parents. Findings and answers use the Full Inspection Report.
Fees Fact Sheets · web page, English
KHDA school directory · web page, English
KHDA school directory 2026–27 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2024–25 (opens in a new tab)KHDA school directory 2023–24 (opens in a new tab)