Al Ittihad Private School, Al Mamzar

Under the auspice of Al Arabia for Educational Development, Al Ittihad Private School Al Mamzar is the founding branch of four Al Ittihad Private Schools. Our school complex – includes a huge gymnasium, two swimming pools, and four school sections that include computer labs, computer/projector equipped classrooms, libraries, as well as art studios and a large multi-purpose hall for school-wide assemblies and professional development activities. You will notice that Al Ittihad Private School Mamzar is organized into four sections: our Kindergarten, our Elementary School (grades 1-5) and our Girls’ and Boys’ Sections, which enroll our Middle School and High School students.

Our school follows the National Curriculum of the UAE in all subjects taught in Arabic, which includes Arabic, Islamic and Social Studies. English, Math, Science, and Fine Arts courses are taught in English. Some of our curricular resources follow an American curriculum. We are also proud of the extensive sports, art and music programs, that are offered in addition to our full range of academic studies.

Under the auspices of Al Arabia for Educational Development, Al Ittihad Private School (AIPS-Mamzar) was founded in 1975 by an initiative of a group of UAE nationals, who envisioned (AIPS-Mamzar) as a leading educational institution in the Arab Gulf region that would meet the real needs of the community through the most modernized educational means in the world.

AIPS-Mamzar, an American Curriculum School, is proud of its conscious efforts to educate and develop the future generation of UAE so that it can cope with the challenges of the 21st Century, making sure that the youth are thoroughly grounded in Arab culture. The international, multicultural working environment of the faculty provides a valuable model for students and encourages recognition of other nations and their cultures so that they can learn to respect, and accept the differences among the people of the world.

Islamic faith plays a pivotal role in the lives of the AIPS-Mamzar community. Islam forms students’ moral awareness and therefore, plays a key role in the curriculum and the structure of the school. Girls and boys are strictly segregated from Grade 5 onwards. Therefore, the campus is divided into four distinct divisions: Kindergarten Section (Pre-KG, KG 1 to KG 2), Elementary Section ( Grade 1 to Grade 4), and Middle High School (Grade 5 to Grade 12) Boys and Girls Section.

The founders emphasis on preserving the cultural heritage and Islamic values, on preparing the students as independent 21st Century learners and global citizens, as well as engaging with and serving the community, have made AIPS-Mamzar unique. It vows to safeguard Emirati heritage. It is eager to hand over the responsibility to the young generation to continue upholding its legacy.

The modern, appropriately equipped, well maintained, and beautifully built AIPS-Mamzar campus sprawls on almost 1,000,000 sq. ft. of land situated in Al Mamzar, Dubai-UAE. It comprises of four purpose-built, large, modern academic buildings for Kindergarten, Elementary, High School -Boys and Girls Sections, an administration building, and a large gymnasium which also houses two indoor swimming pools.

Having two mosques, one each in the Girls and Boys Sections and a prayer room in the Elementary Section, as well as the timing of the second break, ensures and encourages students to offer their afternoon prayers. Making the students aware of the prayer obligation is aligned with the mission of the Al Ittihad Private Schools.

The health and safety of the students are the top priority of the school. Three clinics, with a full time doctor and three nurses meet up to the prescribed standard of the Dubai Health Authority. Additionally, a number of staff members have received First Aid training. Furthermore, there are portable First Aid Kits available in school buses and in each section.

An impressive spacious air-conditioned gym with a large seating capacity and a big stage is used as the main indoor teaching space for the Physical Education Department for the Middle and High Schools. Kindergarten and Elementary Sections have their own well-padded, air-conditioned and appropriately equipped PE rooms. It is also used for competitions, celebrations, assemblies, performances and other large scale events.

The school has one 25-meter in-door swimming pool, and another smaller pool that provide compulsory swimming lessons to all the students. The pools are fitted with a heater to maintain ambient water temperature and allow all year around use.

A large on campus playing field, with appropriate lighting system, is available and can be used in the evenings as well. Our very own soccer, Taekwondo, and swimming academies are evidence of the school stressing the importance of sports activities and involving students in purposeful extra-curricular activities.The exercise equipment in the Girls Section and outside the Boys Section provide ample opportunity for the students to involve themselves in physical activities during early mornings, break time, and dismissal time.

Summary of KHDA Inspection

Al Ittihad Private School was inspected by DSIB from 13 to 16 March 2017. The overall quality of education provided by the school is acceptable. The section below summarizes the inspection findings for each of the six performance indicators described in the framework.

• Students’ attainment and progress are good in the KG and are good or better in Islamic education and science across the school. Student’s enquiry, research, problem-solving and critical thinking skills are developing across the curriculum but are particularly strong in Islamic education and science where students carry out a range of activities that support these skills.
• Students’ personal and social development is very good in the KG and high school, and good in the other phases. Their understanding of Islamic values and other cultures is outstanding. Students’ community and environmental awareness is very good in the KG and good in the other phases. Attendance is very good overall. Students’ punctuality in arriving to lessons is better than their punctuality in arriving to school at the start of the day.
• The quality of teaching is good in the KG, the middle school, and the high school and acceptable in the elementary school. Teachers demonstrate strong subject knowledge and lessons are well planned especially in the girls’ section. Teacher-student relationships are strong, but teachers’ strategies to meet the range of students’ needs remain variable. Assessment is good and most teachers have a secure understanding of their students’ abilities.
• The curriculum is good and follows the California State Standards with consideration given to the Ministry of Education (MoE) requirements for Islamic education and Arabic. It is enhanced through a range of extra-curricular activities that students and parents appreciate. Modifications to the curriculum for students with SEND are developing. Higher attaining students are not always challenged in their lessons.
• The provision for health and safety is very good overall and outstanding in the KG. The school provides a safe, secure and supportive environment for students. The protection, care and support of students are very good in the KG and acceptable in the other phases. The care and support for students with SEND are developing.
• The principal and the senior leaders have set a clear direction and have a sharp vision for the school. They have a secure understanding of the school’s strengths and weaknesses although self-evaluation is only acceptable. Relationships with parents are good and governance is acceptable. Management, facilities, staffing and resources are good with an increasing focus on using technology to support students’ learning.

School’s strengths

• Children’s attainment and progress in the KG and students’ attainment and progress in Islamic education and science in the other phases.
• Students’ personal and social development across the school
• Students’ understanding of Islamic values and their community and environmental awareness
• The safe, secure and supportive environment for all students
• The effective partnership and communication with parents that keep them well informed about their children’s progress.