St Mary High School Muhaisnah

Attainment and progress is strong across English, mathematics and science. It is not so strong in Islamic education and Arabic, although there are improvements especially in Arabic as a second language. In the Foundation Stage (FS), children make good progress across their subjects. Across the school, students make good use of digital technology to conduct research and inquiry-based learning. They work well in groups and they are keen to share their learning with others.

Students demonstrate responsible and positive attitudes. They are self-disciplined and well-mannered. Students are happy and proud to be part of the school. They demonstrate a secure understanding of Islamic values and how these are reflected in UAE society. Students embrace responsibilities with pride. They contribute positively to the school and community. They are passionate about conservation. and have a very positive work ethic.

Teachers typically demonstrate secure strong subject knowledge and possess highly effective classroom management skills. Teachers’ questioning is generally used well to prompt critical thinking and challenge students to extend their learning. The school has effective systems to collate and analyse data although not all teachers use these data effectively enough to inform their planning to fully meet the needs of all groups of students.

The school successfully incorporates well-being into the life of the school. Staff describe their strong sense of belonging and the school empowers students by involving them in decisionmaking. This, in turn nurtures their sense of responsibility and autonomy. The school’s wellbeing policy and initiatives create a safe and positive learning environment. The school’s approach to well-being respects and values the voices of all stakeholders.

Leaders demonstrate a strong commitment to fostering an inclusive educational environment. Assessment systems are generally accurate in determining student starting points and guiding subsequent steps. The learning support team works in partnership with teachers to promote conditions for equitable access but in-class support is limited in too many classes. Most students of determination are making expected progress in the core subjects.

Leaders at all levels are committed and determined and share a common vision for excellence. Improvement plans are comprehensive and priorities are well defined but success criteria are not always clear. The school is highly successful in involving parents and it is actively involved in the community. Governor training and support have improved the effectiveness of governors. Teacher are well qualified and receive personalised training. The school premises are welcoming but some classrooms are small.