The School of Research Science Review

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The College of Analysis Science affords the Nationwide Curriculum for England from FS to Yr 13, and moreover a US Highschool curriculum from Grades 9 to 12. The college is situated in Al Warqa 4. Nearly all of college students are Emirati.

The story thus far…

Do not be confused by the identify. The College of Analysis Science shouldn’t be Dubai’s reply to MIT, however a Good rated UK curriculum FS- Yr 13 college, tailored to native cultures, and with no specific emphasis on science or analysis. Roughly 70% of scholars are UAE nationals with the vast majority of the remaining nationalities from Arabic and African international locations.

The college was based in 1998, and such has been its reputation, {that a} transfer to newer premises was inevitable. In 2014 the college had roughly 2,000 college students; at the moment it educates over 3,200 kids from FS1 to Yr 13 within the UK curriculum part.  The US curriculum Excessive College (from Grades 9 to 12) has roughly 750 college students. Initially very a lot geared toward native Emirati households, SRS now has roughly one-third non-Emiratis, though the vast majority of college students are nonetheless of Arabic nationalities.   

Within the message from the founder, an emphasis is positioned on the truth that that is an Arabic/Islamic college – not a lot in language or curriculum, however within the roots of these learning on the college. In consequence, it “is worried with preserving the heritage of our tradition, its language, its literature, historical past and particularly its Islamic custom.” It goals to form a “future Islamic technology who might be artistic, impartial thinkers, in a position to adapt their information and expertise to the altering wants of this technological age.”

SRS says that its central mission is “to offer our college students with the absolute best basis to construct their future. We do that by delivering an impressive curriculum – British and Arabic – taught by topic and part specialists, relentlessly selling the complete development of the scholar, each educational and private.”

On the time of the final KHDA/DSIB inspection in February 2024, SRS had 298 lecturers, the bulk from the UK or Eire, supported by 68 instructing assistants, delivering a excessive 1:16 trainer:pupil ratio. 

That is prone to make it a problem for lecturers to deal with particular person pupil wants and to adapt the curriculum accordingly. All lecturers are mentioned to be appropriately certified with a Bachelors’ diploma and post-graduate instructing qualification, along with two years’ expertise at a minimal. 

The college is led by Mr. Naseem Sahar Butt, who joined SRS in January 2022. Mr. Butt took over management from Ms. Nan Billingham, who had been accountable for the achievement of a British Colleges Abroad Excellent score in 2021.  Ms. Billingham continues to be a member of the Board of SRS.

What concerning the curriculum?

Within the UK part, whereas the core curriculum is kind of historically Western, based mostly on the National Curriculum for England and Wales, it sits alongside an “Islamic ethos”, designed to “develop our college students into younger women and men, proud and understanding of their very own tradition however conversant and sympathetic to that which is finest in Western concepts and tradition.”

College students within the Early Years observe the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum which focuses on play-based studying.  As college students enter the Main college (Years 1 to six) and decrease Secondary college (Years 7 to 9) so that they proceed with the Nationwide Curriculum for England, along with Arabic and Islamic Schooling in keeping with the UAE Ministry of Schooling necessities.

As college students attain the top of Yr 9, there’s an evident swap of curriculum to the US curriculum part. Nevertheless, the small variety of college students who proceed within the UK curriculum part take  GCSE and IGCSE in Years 10 and 11, culminating in examinations in a variety of as much as 8 topics on the finish of Yr 11.

Having accomplished Yr 11, college students then transfer on to take a most of 4 GCE A/S level examinations within the post-16 part on the finish of Yr 12, that are enough to allow native college students to acquire an equivalency certificates to enter College within the UAE. College students intending to check outdoors the UAE, full an additional 12 months with a purpose to receive the GCE A Level certificates for college entrance.  Solely about 70 college students are presently within the post-16 part of college and the inspection report notes that curricular choices present older secondary and post-16 college students with a slender vary of selections to develop their curiosity and expectations.  The curriculum is taught in each Arabic and English.

The newest inspection report notes that “Various studying pathways are being thought of, by way of to Put up-16 with the introduction of vocational programmes and preparation for grownup life programs.” We assume that it is a reference to the opportunity of together with BTEC vocational {qualifications} and the ASDAN curriculum.

The college is claimed to supply a broad vary of extra-curricular actions which assist college students’ private growth and wellbeing.

What about assist for college kids of Dedication and people with Items and Skills?

The has some 180 college students with extra studying wants. 

The availability and outcomes for college kids of Dedication is rated Very Good. 

Inspectors commented that: “Senior leaders and governors make sure that the college affords an inclusive training. The properly certified inclusion lead offers clear steerage for the division’s work. Intensive studying sources {and professional} coaching implies that most lecturers and studying assist assistants (LSAs) persistently ship high-quality inclusive apply.   Rigorous identification procedures embrace a variety of diagnostic assessments and the usage of exterior specialists, if essential. Educating is generally properly tailored to particular person studying wants and based mostly on steerage of their particular person training plans (IEPs). Particular person and small group instruction offers sturdy assist for learners.”

What about Services?

In keeping with the inspectors from British Colleges’ Abroad in 2021, “The primary campus opened in 2014 and the brand new website for the first college opened September 2020. Options of the college’s buildings and premises are revolutionary and assist studying successfully. The college is, subsequently, a really well-ordered and stimulating setting, which contributes considerably to the scholars’ enjoyment of their training. The 2 campuses are objective constructed with specialist amenities offered for design expertise, science and PE. The lodging is maintained to a excessive customary.”

Among the many specialist amenities offered to college students, there are science laboratories, a central library and specialist instructing rooms for artwork, design expertise and knowledge and communication expertise. The boys’ and the ladies’ sections every have their very own prayer room. The training setting for the early years lessons is described by inspectors as “distinctive”. Usually, school rooms are massive areas the place pupils and lecturers can transfer freely, supporting energetic studying.  All are supplied with interactive white boards, that are used extensively.

The design of the corridors and staircases allow easy accessibility and assist the motion of scholars across the college. This design characteristic ensures that college students by no means really feel crowded and likewise permits for small breakout teams, together with kids with particular instructional wants, to work collectively in spacious atrium areas. The three canteens serve a variety of meals, together with wholesome choices. Sporting amenities embrace sports activities halls, synthetic pitches and video games’ areas. The boys’ and women’ sections every have their very own indoor swimming-pool with a 3rd pool for youthful kids.

And Educational efficiency?

To the credit score of the college, prior to now it has enabled guests to its web site to see the outcomes of scholars sitting exterior examinations, so dad and mom who maintain educational efficiency of the college to be essential, can choose its success. WhichSchoolAdvisor.com strongly recommends all colleges within the UAE to offer such data, which in most international locations is freely obtainable. Sadly, newer examination knowledge has not been made obtainable by the college.

The college does present some data on a subject basis on its website, however doesn’t present an total view of scholars’ outcomes by way of the variety of college students entered for examinations, the variety of examination entries, the general cross fee or the break-down of grades achieved.

You can see a UAE-wide overview of 2024 A Level results and for IGCSE results here. 

The college’s British Colleges Abroad report for 2021 report consists of commentary on outcomes as follows: “Externally assessed educational requirements at SRS have improved markedly over latest years, too, clearly indicated by IGCSE examination knowledge on the finish of Key Stage 4. Over a three-year interval, the college ends in 2018 have gone from 81% A* to C to 2020 cross fee to 98%.  Information for GCSE and A-Ranges present college students’ attainment considerably above UK outcomes.  2019-2020 cohort confirmed 44% of scholars going to UK universities, with 25% taking programs in drugs and 33% programs in engineering.” 

With such optimistic outcomes, we discover it disappointing that SRS doesn’t present the identical stage of element presently. 

It could be that the dearth of knowledge extra lately has most certainly been pushed by the transfer away from the UK part of the college to the newer US part.  Traditionally, many Emirati and Arab households have chosen US curriculum colleges due to the dearth of formal examinations till the ultimate grades, and the tendency for a lot of leaders and instructing workers to be native Arabic audio system, even when they’ve had particular coaching within the US curriculum. 

What the inspectors say

The college was topic to British Colleges Abroad inspection in 2021, for which is was rated Excellent. BSO inspections are based mostly on the OFSTED inspection programme in UK state colleges and designed to permit a comparability between the standard of training being offered in a UK curriculum worldwide college.  This inspection passed off below the management of the earlier Principal and Management staff.

You may read the inspection report here.  We’d, nevertheless, point out that important modifications have taken place at SRS for the reason that inspection, which in any occasion passed off in the course of the pandemic, at a time when the college was not working fully below regular circumstances.

SRS has had one thing of a blended report by way of its KHDA scores. Having initially been rated Good for the primary 5 inspections, the college was awarded a Very Good score in 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18. Within the 2018-19 report, it was downgraded to Good.  While the college’s BSO score in 2021 – of Excellent – was clearly a optimistic reflection of the college’s efficiency from a UK regulator’s standpoint, the DSIB inspectors didn’t concur. 

The inspection report for 2022-23, (the primary for the reason that pandemic and for the UK curriculum part of the college) noticed an additional Good score awarded.  The identical Good score was awarded for the 2023-24 inspection final result.  Against this, the US curriculum Excessive College part – clearly a beautiful proposition for a lot of college students – was once more rated Acceptable in its second  inspection in 2023-24.   

Unusually, however maybe unsurprisingly given the main target of the college and its predominant pupil nationalities,  Arabic and Islamic lecturers got here in for prime reward. “Educating is only in Islamic Schooling and Arabic, and in FS and Put up-16.. The effectiveness of curriculum diversifications varies, with most success in Islamic Schooling and Arabic.” These topics, Educating and Evaluation and the Curriculum are rated Excellent within the Main college and a mix of Excellent and Very Good within the remaining sections of the college. 

While many facets of the college have been discovered to be Very Good, by way of Evaluation and the Curriculum, and Excellent by way of College students’ Private and Social Improvement and their Innovation Abilities, and The Safety, Care, Steering and Help of scholars, the influence of this efficiency shouldn’t be but mirrored in Pupil Achievement. 

When it comes to strengths, the DSIB inspectors discovered these to be:

• College students’ achievement in Islamic Schooling and Arabic on account of efficient instructing and studying.

• The bilingual programme in FS.

• College students’ private and social growth and their embracing of Islamic values.

• Preparations for well being, security, pastoral care and assist. • The sources for studying and the specialist amenities.

As regards areas for enchancment, the inspection staff acknowledged that SRS ought to:

• Enhance the standard and consistency of instructing and studying in Main and Secondary.

• Be certain that lesson planning takes full account of evaluation knowledge to shut any gaps in college students’ information and expertise.

• Construct the capability of center leaders to drive enchancment of their areas of duty.

• Be certain that self-evaluation consists of analyses of the efficiency of all teams of scholars and that the outcomes are mirrored within the college enchancment priorities.

If you want to learn the complete inspection report – and we strongly recommend that you simply accomplish that, with a purpose to perceive the explanations behind the scores and suggestions – you will find it here.

As a part of a brand new initiative launched by the KHDA for the 2022-23 educational 12 months, SRS was once more evaluated in 2023-24 for ‘the standard of wellbeing provision and outcomes’ which was discovered to be at a superb stage.

The inspectors commented that:

•  Senior leaders prioritise the mixing of wellbeing into the core of college life. Insurance policies are in place to assist the wellbeing of workers, college students and fogeys, clearly defining their roles and obligations. Wellbeing indicators are included in lesson observations as a part of the college selfevaluation course of. College leaders totally analyse surveys and different suggestions from stakeholders to determine areas for enchancment. They personalise assist for college kids accordingly.
• College students’ recommendations are actively thought of, leading to changes to highschool provision and each day routines to satisfy their wants. The college’s immediate, purposeful and non-judgmental assist for each college students and households is very valued by dad and mom. The dedication of leaders to supporting the wellbeing of workers is appreciated. The emphasis on workers coaching has efficiently engaged all the college neighborhood within the shared imaginative and prescient for wellbeing.
• Quite a lot of related wellbeing initiatives successfully caters for the wants of secondary and post16 college students. In FS and Main, college students are supplied with ample alternatives to specific their emotions and opinions. The extensively skilled counselling staff affords age-appropriate assist to deal with college students’ wellbeing wants. All through the college, college students normally display a dedication to their very own wellbeing and that of others, aligning with the college’s imaginative and prescient. The largely optimistic classroom environments considerably contribute to college students’ wellbeing experiences.

When it comes to areas for growth, the inspectors advisable that SRS ought to:

• Be certain that lecturers persistently nurture classroom climates wherein college students flourish at each stage.

The Buzz

WhichSchoolAdvisor.com has thus far acquired very restricted suggestions on The College of Analysis Science in our School Survey which is inadequate to allow us to offer a consultant view. 

With the intention to allow us to offer a consultant view of The College of Analysis Science, in case you are a mother or father, trainer, or senior pupil, please share your opinions and expertise with different potential members of your neighborhood and complete our Survey.

The 2023-24 DSIB inspection report, which reveals the award of a Very Good score for the connection between the college, dad and mom and the neighborhood, notes that: 

“Dad and mom are extremely engaged and supportive, together with dad and mom of scholars of willpower. They worth data communicated by way of a wide range of channels. They actively take part within the dad and mom committee conferences to share suggestions, and profit from improved communication with college leaders. Termly pupil stories cowl educational and social progress and assist dad and mom to grasp their kids’s strengths and areas for enchancment. Leaders of MoE topics have developed partnerships with varied neighborhood teams to reinforce college students’ experiences.”

Our View

The College for Analysis Science has clearly gone by way of a interval of great change within the pandemic and post-Covid interval, and would seem to have had some challenges on account of the modifications in management within the UK curriculum college, and the addition of the comparatively new US part.

The governors and leaders of each the UK and US sections of the college might want to pay shut consideration to the considerations raised by the inspection staff and make sure that they make speedy progress to deal with these.  In any other case, a college that was traditionally seen to be bettering may see itself come below important regulatory stress – by no means a superb factor from a management and workers morale standpoint.  

What concerning the charges?

Tuition charges vary from AED 36,310 within the FS part and rise to AED 77,958 in Yr 13.  As well as, E book charges (ranging between AED 1,200 and AED 2,900), uniforms and an accepted laptop computer/digital machine (from AED 500 to AED 900) must be added to the tutoring charges. 

In our opinion, these are premium charges, for which folks ought to have the ability to anticipate a extra optimistic score from the regulator.