Ambassador Kindergarten in Dubai has now been inspected twice by the Dubai Schools Inspection Bureau, the inspection arm of the KHDA, and for two consecutive years awarded an Acceptable rating. Given the KG opened in 2012, this is perhaps unsurprising, although the school should have a Good rating in its line of site.

The school is linked to Ambassador School, which opened two years earlier in 2010. Ambassador School is also rated Acceptable.

Home to just under 300 pupils, Ambassador Kindergarten employs 12 teachers and 12 teaching assistants. Worryingly its latest report notes a teacher turnover of 46%, very high, even by UAE standards.

The majority of the students come from India. A very small percentage have SEN requirements. The school follows an ICSE framework. Its web site makes reference to Montessori, an approach that favours learning through play.

Strengths of the pre-school include well qualified teaching assistants, that children enjoy a wide range of interesting learning experiences and opportunities, and that the school looks after children and staff very well. Children are said to appreciate other cultures and demonstrate good Islamic values. They are aware of the heritage and culture of the United Arab Emirates.

Areas for improvement include the need to enhance the curriculum in mathematics and science, to develop children’s research and investigation skills, to ensure  teachers  plan  activities  that  help  children accelerate  in  their  learning  and,  in  doing  so, accurately assess how children learn and the progress they make in lessons. The KG also needs to ensure senior leaders check how well teachers’ measure and monitor children’s learning in relation to the progress they make in lessons.

Academically, attainment in English is said to be Good, while in Maths and Science it is Acceptable. Progress in Maths and English are both Good, however science remains a concern with progress currently rated acceptable only.

The school community itself is a fairly happy one. Parents are happy with the quality of education and children enjoy and look forward to going to school. Parents feel included, and rate the school well for the reporting of progress of their children. Teachers are also a happy bunch – despite the high turnover in the last academic year.