Al Diyafah High School is one of the most famous high schools in Dubai. Housing mainly Indian expatriates, this school also has 23 other nationalities studying within its four walls. But is this culturally diverse school a good place for your kid to start his/her schooling? Read our take on the Diyafah International School to find out:

1. Al Diyafah High School Review
Al Diyafah High School is one of the most famous high schools in Dubai.
Housing mainly Indian expatriates, this school also has 23 other nationaliti es
studying within its four walls. But is this culturally diverse school a good place
for your kid to start his/her schooling? Read our take on the Diyafah
International School to find out:
Diyafah School Dubai Review
We have divided our review into differ ent sections so you can easily find the
section or aspect you are looking for:
An Overview and History of the School

2. Al Diyafah High School opened in 1981 and it is, to this date, one of the
oldest British curriculum schools in Dubai. The school is committed to providing
a holistic based education set in an enlightened environment. Moreover, Al
Diyafah’s goal is to foster courage of convictions, creative thinking, and a
positive attitude, to help students reach their high potential.
Student and Teacher Body
The Diyafah School Dubai teaches 1,600 students and has 109 full -time
teachers supported by 13 teaching assistants to teach the 1600 students. It has
a teacher-to-student ratio of 1:15 which isn’t atypical of Indian -staffed high
schools, no matter what curriculum they follow. The school will be turning 40
years old in 2022. Ms. Neetha Shetty has been the school’s princip al since
September 2020.
The Diyafah International School has an impressively low level of staff turnover
which demonstrates that the teachers are satisfied. The staff turnover was 10%
during 2015 – 2016 and it was 6% during 2017 – 2018. However, the staff
turnover drastically rose to 19% in 2019.
The Curriculum
The Diyafah International School follows the British curriculum. It follows the
Early Years Foundation Stage educational curriculum during the Foundation
Stage of schooling. Then it moves on to a revised English National Curriculum
for the Primary Grades and Middle School years. Lastly, it uses qualifications
from Edexcel and the University of Cambridge for AS, A -Level, and IGCSE.
There is a limited range of subjects for years 7 to 9, including French (or Hindi),
Arabic, ICT, Maths, Social Studies, English, Science, Islamic Studies (or Value
education).

3. Upper Secondary students from Years 10 and 11 can choose 8 IGCSE courses.
Four of IGCSE courses are compulsory, including ICT (or Computer), English,
Environmental Management, and Mathematics. They can choose the other four
courses from Chemistry, Accounting, Physical Education, Economics, History,
French, Geography, Biology, Business Studies, Physics, and Art & Design. Plus,
students also have to choose Physical Education, Arabic (General or Special),
and Islamic Studies or PSHE, and Physical Education.
Students can choose from 15 subjects for AS and 12 subjects for A2. The AS
subjects offered at the school include Psychology, Accounting, Sociology,
Biology, Physics, Business Studies, Maths, Chemistry, ICT, Co mputer Science,
History, Economics, Environmental Science, English, and Art & Design.
A-Level subjects include Physics, Accounting, Psychology, Biology, ICT,
Business Studies, Maths, Chemistry, English, Economics, Computer Science,
and Art & Design.
So, when it comes to the curriculum of Al Diyafah High School, the choices are
very limited. Art & Design is the only creative arts subject offered to students.
Plus the subjects are very Science and Commerce centered.

4. Related Read: https://mytutorsource.com/blog/primary-schools-in-dubai/
Facilities Offered at the Al Diyafah High School
The school is located in Al Nahda. The building of the school has a traditional
appearance. Facilities include computer labs, interactive boards in every
classroom, science labs, a library in the senior school, canteen, and music & art
facilities.
Plus, there are several sports and play areas. All in all, the school mak es
awesome use of all of its external and internal space.
What Is Its KHDA Rating?

5. Al Diyafah High School, Dubai has received the rating of Good by the KHDA for
the past 8 years. Before that, it received the rating of Acceptable for three
years. The school made improvements by acting on the recommendations made
by the inspectors in its previous inspection reports, such as improving its
learning and teaching and giving the parents a role in supporting the Board of
Governors.
Unfortunately, no inspection happ ened during 2019 – 2020 because of the
ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
Fees of the School
Fees at the Al Diyafah School start from AED 10,800 per year for FS1, and go
up to AED 22,930 per year for Year 13 and A -Level studies. It is one of the most
inexpensive British curriculum-based schools in the United Arab Emirates.
However, before you finalize your decision of sending your kid to this school,
we advise you to keep the trade -offs in the range of subjects in mind.
KHDA’s Inspection Report for Al Diyafah High School
 KHDA has noted some strengths in the school, including students’
achievements based on good or very good learning abilities.
Students are good at learning Science, English, and Mathematics
from years 7 to 13. Students in Foundation Stage (FS) show good
learning in Science, Maths, and English.
 The social and personal development of the students is a key
strength as students show self-discipline and respect for adults,
and enjoy each other’s company. Students show excellent
appreciation and awareness of Islamic values in all phases. The

6. majority of students are appreciative of the UAE culture and
heritage.
 Inspectors highly rated student achievement along with their
innovative skills and social & personal development. The
Secondary School is stronger as compared to the Primary School.
 The quality of teaching was categorized by the inspectors as of
good in the Primary and FS Phases, and very good in the Post -16
and Secondary Phases.
 The school’s British curriculum was also rated good, however,
there have been a few weakenings in its implementation in the
Secondary section. Moreover, the inspectors found that the Post -
16 and Secondary Phases curricula prepare students in a good
way for further education.
 Inspectors rated the provision for students’ safety and health as
outstanding. The leaders, counsellors, and teachers promote the
personal, emotional, and social development of students. Lastly,
the leadership of the Diyafah School Dubai was rated good
overall.
Best Features in a Nutshell
 The progress made by students in Maths, Science, and English
because of their strong learning skills is good.
 The social and personal development of students is very good and
outstanding.
 The teaching, assessments of learning, and provision of the
curriculum are good.

7.  The provision for the care, support, protection, and guidance of
students is of high quality.
Diyafah School Dubai vs Other Schools in Dubai
Here is a detailed comparison char t of Diyafah International School, Dubai
British School, and Hartland International School. We have compared all the
important features of these schools and their ratings by KHDA for you.
So, use this chart and see which school suits your kid the best:
Parameters Al Diyafah High School Dubai British School
Hartland International
School
Year of Origin 1981 2005 2015
Grade Range FS1 – YEAR 13 FS1 – YEAR 13 FS1 – YEAR 12
Annual Fee Range
AED 10,600 – AED
22,930
AED 49,026 – AED
73,540
AED 41,000 – AED
78,000
Curriculum British British British
Teacher – Student
Ratio
1:15 1:14 1:8
Level All Levels All Levels Middle
Total Students 1600 1171 634
Students Co-Educational Co-Educational Co-Educational
SEN Yes Yes Yes
Principal Ms. Neetha Shetty Mr. Simon Jodrell Ms. Fiona Cottom
Sibling Discount No No No
Inspection Rating Good (KHDA) Outstanding (KHDA) Very Good (KHDA)
Conclusion
That is all folks!

8. This is all the information about Al Diyafah High School that you need to know
before you go visit it. Use our comparison chart to see where Diyafah
International School stands as compared to other schools in Dubai. If you want
to read more reviews like ou r Diyafah School Dubai review, keep an eye out for
our school reviews.