Diyafah International School, Abu Dhabi

Diyafah International School (DIS) in Abu Dhabi is the sister-school of Al Diyafah High School in Dubai which is nearing its 40th anniversary. The school was founded by Mrs Winnie D’Cunha in 1982 and both branches are still directly managed by the family. Her husband is the chairperson of the school, her daughter looks after the Dubai branch while her son supervises the Abu Dhabi campus.

Diyafah International School MBZ City was founded in 2013 and follows the National Curriculum of England and Wales from Foundation Stage until Sixth Form. Around 1,200 students are currently enrolled out of which 40 are students of determination. The student body belongs to over 50 nationalities and around 43 languages are spoken on the campus. Students are served by 91 teachers and 26 teaching assistants making the teacher to student ratio 1:12.

Diyafah International School MBZ City Abu Dhabi campus has premium facilities while offering a wide range of extracurricular and co-curricular ventures. DIS school has even partnered with external organisations to provide challenging yet exciting field trips and activities to children.

ADEK has rated Diyafah International School ‘Good’ for the second time in a row. Since the school secured a ‘Good’ rating within a few years of its launch, parents and students generally have positive Diyafah International School reviews

Located ideally in the middle of MBZ City, residential communities in proximity to the school include:

• Mussafah
• Al Maqtaa
• Bawabat Al Sharq

The nearest residential area to the school is Mussafah. Almost a 12-minute drive from the campus, the community is home to the popular Mussafah Port that is used for seafaring and merchandising.

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Diyafah International School campus offers modern and purpose-built facilities fully integrated with technology. Classrooms have interactive equipment to help students become familiar with technology in a classroom setting from an early age.

DIS has built the Foundation Stage separately from the remaining section. This was done to provide a safe and secure space for little ones to engage their curiosity. FS students can enjoy shaded courtyards and other facilities.

Moving on to the primary, middle and senior section, students have specialist facilities for music, art and foreign languages, science labs, computer labs, a well-stocked library and a multi-purpose hall.

Recently, Diyafah International School in Abu Dhabi introduced a second phase with premium facilities including a pool, a gymnasium and multi-purpose sports fields together with an amphitheatre.

In addition to this, a canteen and a medical centre can be found on campus to support students’ diet as well as mental and physical health. You can purchase Diyafah international School uniforms from the school office or online.

Diyafah International School is located on Al Inarah Street in Mohammed Bin Zayed City, a community located on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi. The area is still under development and will soon offer splendid lifestyle amenities.

Diyafah International School location allows parents and those using the bus service to easily access the campus and avoid traffic.

Choosing the best school for your child’s education is the most challenging task for any parent. Often parents or guardians are looking for a facility that offers international education at an affordable price. This is where Diyafah International School in Mohammed Bin Zayed City comes into action.

Those who aware of its sister school in Dubai will know that DIS School Abu Dhabi holds a strong reputation in the region. The school has received a ‘Good’ rating from the ADEK and offers British education at a reasonable price. The management has around 40 years of experience in providing excellent learning and has enjoyed a strong reputation over the decades.

To facilitate and improve the school’s performance, an eight-member leadership team has been put together that brings an exponential amount of experience from around the world.

International Diyafah School Abu Dhabi not only works on students’ performance but teachers as well. To ensure that the staff is updated on any recent changes in the curriculum, the school holds numerous training all around the year.

The aim is to encourage teachers to attend accredited courses to enhance their pedagogy. Training for which teachers can sign up for include:

• Literacy – Read Write Inc External Trainers (Year1-Year4)
• Moral Education – Orientation
• Cambridge University Press
• CAT 4 Workshop – Analysis for Teachers and Leaders
• Progress 8 & Attainment 8 Professional Development Session
• Arabic Department Training on My Identity Programme
• Arabic Language Department of Professional Development
• Question A Day Training Update
• Student Competence Framework Professional Development
• PISA Training
• World Arena Professional Development

Since this guide is put together for the convenience of parents, Bayut has further curated a list of best schools in Abu Dhabi and British Schools in Abu Dhabi for your consideration.

Diyafah School Mohammed Bin Zayed City follows the British curriculum. Hence, in accordance with the British system, the school has developed age brackets for year groups as presented below:

Diyafah International School follows the British system from FS until the Post-16 phase. The Sixth Form has been recently added in 2020. Students will first appear for their A-Levels examination in 2022.

Foundation Stage

Children in DIS Abu Dhabi Foundation Stage follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This is a curriculum that focuses primarily on practicality rather than academics. The seven key areas of learning include:

• Personal, social and emotional development
• Communication and Language
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Physical development
• Expressive arts and designs
• Understanding the world

The Key Stage 1 and 2 curricula at DIS MBZ City Abu Dhabi is based on core and foundation subjects. The core subjects consist of English, Mathematics, Science, Arabic and Islamic Studies (for Muslim pupils). While History, Geography, Design Technology and Art fall into the foundation category. For a better grasp of the subjects, students are encouraged to opt for activities that support the curriculum.

Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 5

Diyafah International School curriculum for middle and secondary school consists of teacher-specific subjects that prepare students to stand out in the crowd both critically and creatively.

Students follow a combination of core, compulsory subjects and optional subjects. Core subjects include GCSE or IGCSE English Language, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics and Biology.

Optional subjects from which students will choose a number will include Physical Education, History, Geography, Spanish, Computing Science or ICT, Art and Design, and Business Studies.

The Abu Dhabi Departments of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) was formed in 2005 with the main objective of regulating and supervising both private and public schools in Abu Dhabi. The agency invests in innovative learning strategies on behalf of schools to ensure that students can face and tackle challenges of the 21st century.

Irtiqaa Programme is one of the initiatives of ADEK where private and public schools are inspected annually and are rated based on:

• Quality of students’ achievement.
• Quality of personal and social development as well as innovation skills of the students.
• Quality of teaching and assessment.
• Quality of curriculum.
• Quality of student safety and wellbeing, as well as the guidance and support provided to them.
• Quality of school leadership and management.

The quality of the school is rated on a six-point scale as shown below:

Currently, Diyafah International School ADEK rating is ‘Good.’ The Irtiqaa report has identified key areas of improvement for the school along with the areas where Diyafah School has shown remarkable performance.

According to the report, Diyafah International School Mohammed Bin Zayed City has worked well on students and their growth. This is reflected in their attainment across all subjects, a high understanding of the Islamic culture and the heritage of the UAE.

While the credit to DIS School for afore-mentioned achievement is due, the role of the management board can not be marginalized in the process. The senior management and leadership team focuses on improving learners’ outcomes by bringing in their expertise, skills and knowledge on the table.

Finally, DIS Mohammed Bin Zayed City has also worked on the support and welfare of its students by providing a healthcare facility and pastoral care. This has led to the personal and social development of children.

On the other hand, the report has made a few recommendations which, if followed, will further improve the annual rating of the school. The school is suggested to improve the quality of teaching by adopting updated teaching methods and strategies. Use of digital technology in classrooms can further benefit International Diyafah School.

Besides this, all support provided to students of determination must be modified. Ways must be developed to ensure that students with SEND requirements work on their critical thinking, problem-solving and innovation skills in all lessons.

Like other British schools in Abu Dhabi, DIS MBZ City operates for 10 months and is divided into three terms. Diyafah International School calendar highlights major school events, examination days, result day, and national and Islamic holidays.

Please note that dates for Islamic holidays are tentative and are subject to moonsighting.

The academic year starts from August and ends in July, a summary of which is given below.

• The first term starts in the last week of August and ends in the second week of December, followed by a 3-week winter break.
• The second term resumes in the first week of January and ends in the last week of March, followed by a 2-week spring break.
• The third and the final term starts in the second week of April and ends in the first week of July, followed by 2-month summer vacation.

Diyafah International School timings are different for FS students and other sections.

• Foundation Stage: 07:45 am to 12:40 pm.
• Year 1 to Year 12: 07:45 am to 02:40 pm.

Students participating in after-school activities can stay back until 04:00 pm.

Being a non-selective school, Diyafah International School’s admission process is suited to candidates belonging to a diverse background and with different abilities. The registration process can be initiated by either visiting the campus to observe facilities and how teaching is conducted or by filling in an enquiry form.

The first step calls for parents to register their child online. Once your child is registered, you are required to upload the following documents:

• 2 passport copies of the student with a valid residence visa page
• 2 copies of the birth certificate of the student
• 2 copies of the Emirates ID of the student
• 5 recent passport size photographs of the child with a white background in an envelope
• Parents’ passport copies with valid residence visa page
• Parents’ Emirates ID copy
• Copy of the Immunisation record
• Transfer Certificate from the last school with the required attestation
• (Students from other Emirates and outside the UAE)
• Academic progress report from the last school where applicable

The second step requires the applicant to sit for an age-appropriate online assessment. If your child clears the entrance exam, the admissions team will notify you with an offer. To secure the offer, you need to confirm the admission of your child within seven days of dispatch of the offer from the school.

Nevertheless, parents must ensure that their child meets the following age placement criteria before initiating the admission process.

This is based on the age of the students on 31st August (for the school beginning in September). Source: Diyafah International School

Diyafah International School tuition fee is approved by ADEK. The annual tuition fee is broken down into three instalments as shown below.

Additional charges include:

• Uniform charges
• Transportation charges
• Personal Enrichment Programme (extracurricular activities) charges
• Registration Fee (for new admission): 5% of annual tuition fee
• Re-registration Fee (for existing students): 5% of annual tuition fee

Diyafah International School fees can be paid via cheque, bank transfer or debit/credit card. Please note that the first term’s fee must be paid together with a post-dated cheque for second term and third term school fees.

International Diyafah School Mohammed Bin Zayed City has recently added a canteen to their list of facilities. This initiative has been taken to advocate healthy eating habits among little ones and senior students. Since mental and physical wellbeing of students is a part of the curriculum taught, the school prepares lunch with nutritious and fresh ingredients.

Students can have a meal in the cafeteria during the afternoon lunch break. Parents can also send lunch from home but must be aware of the protocol followed at the school.

The average daily cost of a meal is AED 10 to AED 15 per student.

DIS Mohammed Bin Zayed City Abu Dhabi has outsourced transportation facilities to Bright Bus Transport (BBT). The contractor works with the government, school and parents to maintain the highest level of safety for students and offers outstanding customer service.

For a safe and sound commute, BBT buses come equipped with GPS, CCTV and electronic attendance that requires scanning of ID Cards. Also, buses are tracked round-the-clock via the control room at BBT’s office.

For registration, parents must visit the school campus and get in contact with BBT representatives at Diyafah International School.

Students willing to participate in holiday camps can approach the external service providers. Few partnered organisations, named in later sections, already provide football, karate and ballet training after school hours and arrange holiday camps programs for an additional cost.

Sports and physical education are an essential part of the curriculum followed at the school. Since Diyafah International School Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi is concerned for students’ physical wellbeing, it has established some premium sports facilities for students’ use.

You will find separate facilities for Foundation Stage children and the remaining students. Little ones have access to their own shaded courtyard and an indoor play area. On the other hand, primary and secondary students can make the most of:

• Shaded play areas
• Basketball and Tennis courts
• An astroturf football pitch
• A large multi-purpose hall
• A multi-purpose sports field
• A Swimming pool
• A gymnasium

Apart from these facilities, students can participate in kickboxing, karate and football practices offered by external service providers.

Diyafah International School Abu Dhabi realises that all learning cannot be conducted in the classroom. Students need various avenues to engage their interests and passions, hence the school provides an array of extracurricular and co-curricular activities after school hours.

These activities are designed in such a way that they not only extend existing skills and knowledge of students but also involve them in novel ventures. To support this offering, Diyafah School has partnered with external organisations such as Emirates Karate and others.

Your child can participate in:

Services provided by external providers include Ballet dancing, football, Lego, Robotics, kickboxing and karate from Emirates Karate.

Break from studies is a must for students. For this purpose, schools often arrange field trips where children can explore the real world and casually interact with their peers. Similarly, Abu Dhabi Diyafah International School takes students on school trips that engage their mental and physical capacity.

In the past, the school has visited culturally rich sites and tourist attractions in Abu Dhabi and other emirates.

After-school care is provided in the form of after-school activities from 03:00 pm to 04:30 pm.

If a child is injured, the nurse or the school doctor will be the first point of contact for students. A medical clinic is tended by a registered physician onsite. The medical staff remains in contact with the school management, parents and nearby hospitals to treat emergencies.

The well-equipped clinic can easily treat minor emergencies and provide first-aid. Medical record of each child is stored in the clinic for future reference. Nevertheless, parents are requested to provide updated medical reports, especially if the child has a medical condition that school should be aware of.

Basic health checks on students are done annually. The clinic is also responsible to give sessions on health and hygiene to children frequently.

Diyafah International British School represents a warm and friendly community that promotes constructive interaction between students, school, parents and community at large.

The school has drawn up several ways through which you can be a part of the school and your child’s academic journey.

• During school hours parents can volunteer in the school library, after-school clubs, as general help in the classroom and on field trips.
• Parents and guardians can be a part of the Health & Safety and Healthy Eating initiatives
• You can join the school’s Parent Association and help the staff during school fairs, carnivals and sports day.
• You can also attend coffee mornings and learning workshops that will enable you to continue your child’s education back at home.

Aside from these initiatives, you can view various school events dates, exam days, result days, sports day schedule, after-school clubs and activities details, your child’s school performance and attendance and more via Diyafah International School parent portal.

However, families who are more comfortable with a traditional means of communication can reach the school via Diyafah International School contact details provided below along with its social media sites.

• Telephone Number: +971-2-588-5665
• Emails
  • General Enquiries: info@diyafahinternationalschool.com
  • Admission Enquiries: registrar@diyafahinternationalschool.com
• Diyafah International School Website
• Diyafah International School Facebook
• Diyafah International School Twitter
• Diyafah International School Instagram
• Diyafah International School LinkedIn

Note that the cover image belongs to Diyafah International School