Aldar Education’s Pearl Academy has achieved across the board praise by the Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) as it was awarded an ‘Outstanding’ rating in all areas of educational provision following its latest inspection.
ADEK inspectors gave a glowing report , stating that the overall performance of the school and its continuous level of improvement is ‘Outstanding’ and showed notable progress due to “consistently outstanding teaching across the school, the very clear direction from the leadership team and the highly effective monitoring of teaching and learning and their impact on students achievement”.
Furthermore, inspectors noted that the school had strived to meet all the recommendations suggested in the last ADEK inspection – and achieved “outstanding progress in all the areas recommended”.
The ADEK inspection report indicated that in every one of ADEK’s six performance standards – Students’ Achievement; Students’ Personal and Social Development and their Innovation Skills; Teaching and Assessment, Curriculum; Protection, Care, Guidance and Support of Students; and Leadership and Management – The Pearl Academy, overseen by Aldar Education – Abu Dhabi and Al Ain’s premier leader for private education, was graded ‘Outstanding.’
The grading is the latest in a series of achievements for Aldar Education; just last week fellow Aldar Education school Al Yasmina Academy was also rated ‘Outstanding’ in every key area of its educational provision, while in August the Aldar Academies group marked an exceptional year of IGCSE results as pupils celebrated stellar grades.
Sahar Cooper, CEO of Aldar Education, said: “We are delighted that following its recent ADEK inspection, The Pearl Academy was judged to be ‘Outstanding’ in all aspects. I am hugely thankful for our hardworking students, our dedicated and professional staff and the support of our families. I am extremely proud to be able to celebrate another outstanding achievement following Al Yasmina Academy’s announcement last week.’
Stephen Sharples, Director of Education at Aldar Education, said: “What came through strongly in the report was our commitment to ensure that every pupil in our care achieves their full potential, regardless of their starting point and this will remain our vision.”
ADEK inspectors carried out assessments in November 2019; observing more than 90 classes led by the school’s multi-national teaching staff of 49, aided by 32 teaching assistants.
In their report, ADEK Inspectors said the key area of strength at The Pearl Academy was the students’ overall achievement” – particularly noting the “outstanding progress of Emirati students” – the “highly positive relationships across the school resulting in exemplary behaviour and happy students”, and “innovative teaching strategies which meet the needs of individuals and groups”.
They also commended the Academy’s expansive curriculum which caters to the interests and needs of students promoting their innovative and creative skills, in addition to the “exemplary care and support for all students including those with special educational needs (SEN)”.
The Pearl Academy, which opened in 2007, is a British curriculum private school that caters to 645 students; of which 22 percent are Emirati pupils.
Judges also noted that the school has a settled leadership team with low teacher turnover and a principal who has been in the post for more than five years.
For her part, Abigail Fishbourne, Principal of The Pearl Academy, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the report and with every word that the inspectors wrote about our school.
“Our biggest focus is to ensure that our children are not only happy and secure but that they are involved in every step of their own learning experience. A huge focus for us is teaching children that they are masters of their own destiny – even from the age of three-years-old – and they have to be involved in every area of their own education and social interaction.
“What we have recognised is that now we have to continue beyond being ‘Outstanding’; which we will strive to do as we continue to work towards making The Pearl Academy a leader in local education.”
Commenting on the praise received by inspectors, who described her as an “inspirational principal who has developed a culture of continuous improvement”, Ms. Fishbourne continued: “While this was obviously wonderful to hear, anyone could be sitting in my seat with the team I have. This was a collaborative effort that stretches beyond our leadership team, to every teacher, every child and the support of every parent.”
Praise by ADEK Inspectors extended to all the “outstanding” teaching staff, as well as the “outstanding” leadership and management team, noting staff employed “innovative strategies to meet the needs of all groups”, with cross-curricular planning and contextualised learning resulting in an “outstanding curriculum which develops students’ creative and innovative skills.”
The happiness and wellbeing of students were also recognised by inspectors who noted that pupils “display exemplary behaviour, have highly positive and responsible attitudes”, are “innovative, creative and have excellent entrepreneurial skills” and show “outstanding appreciation of Islamic values and the UAE heritage”.
The results of the ADEK report were excitedly welcomed by the Academy’s young pupils, with the young learners giving comments including “If you go to our school you will get a good education and guaranteed learning” said Christian, from Year 6. While Hamad from Year 3 was clearly pleased for the school “We are phenomenal and splendiferous. Do you know that I have been learning about Roald Dahl today?”, Ayana from Year 4 rightly pointed out the school’s objectives for the coming months “Now we need to be more outstanding”.
Other comments from Year 5 students included: “It’s amazing! I’m really impressed with our school” and “I was happy and excited the moment I heard about it”.
