First school in Dubai to achieve Very Good rating in its first KHDA inspection

Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 24 June 2024: The Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai (RGSGD), the leading British curriculum school, is delighted to announce its first Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) rating since opening its doors in August 2021. The school has reached a remarkable milestone as it celebrates a ‘Very Good’ rating in the KHDA Inspection report for the academic year 2023-2024, making it the first school in Dubai to achieve this high rating in its first round of inspections.

With a cohort of over 1,200 pupils from FS1 to Year 8, RGSGD embodies the ethos and values that have underpinned the sister school, the Royal Grammar School Guildford, one of the most prestigious Independent British Curriculum schools in the UK, for over 500 years. Combined with a spirit of innovation and development, RGSGD prides itself on academic excellence and embraces a dynamic innovative approach that equips young minds for the challenges of the future, whilst retaining its historic roots.

RGSGD gained Outstanding gradings across foundation stage, primary and secondary in the following areas: personal development, social responsibility and innovation skills, and health and safety, including arrangements for child protection/safeguarding. In addition, the school’s leadership and management was recognised as Outstanding in two categories: management, staffing, facilities and resources, and parents and the community.

The KHDA report also praised RGSGD’s strong leadership team for having a clear vision for the school, based on the RGS values of integrity, inclusivity, and collaboration, as well as their commitment and determination. Teaching was highlighted as highly effective, attainment and progress strong in English, mathematics, and science in the primary and secondary phases, whilst the school’s leaders were praised for monitoring the impact of curriculum adaptations on pupils’ progress, rigorously analysing assessment outcomes.

Commenting on the Very Good rating, Clare Turnbull, Principal, RGS Guildford Dubai said: “We are incredibly proud of our first KHDA rating. Since opening, we have made sure to fulfil our promise of staying true to our RGS values; collaborating with others, innovating and striving always to be the very best we can be. It’s wonderful to see that our pupils have been praised for demonstrating very positive and responsible attitudes, as well as being kind and having a strong work ethic. As Principal, I could not be prouder of everything we have achieved, and send my heartfelt thanks to the teachers, staff, parents and pupils for making RGSGD a wonderful home of learning, as well as being such a caring community.”

The report continued to praise RGSGD’s curriculum as broad and balanced, and richly supplemented with a range of languages, art, music, drama and technology. In addition, it highlighted that RGSGD’s highly adaptive curriculum effectively meets the needs of all pupils, who have many opportunities to participate in a wide range of extra-curricular activities.  

RGSGD pupils were praised for their very positive and responsible attitudes. They are eager to learn, are keen participants in lessons – actively engaging in debates, independent research and enquiry-led learning. The report also highlighted that the pupils demonstrate conscientiousness, enjoy positive relationships with their peers and teachers, showing kindness, compassion and support for one another.

RGSGD’s award-winning facilities were also recognised as very high quality and the school was commended for embedding environmental sustainability and conservation throughout the school community.