Diyafah International School

Diyafah International School is located in Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on Al Inarah Street (Zone 13). The campus is in the MBZ City area, with access to Abu Dhabi's road network. The school identifies its Abu Dhabi location as part of its community presence in the emirate.

Nursery/FS1 to Year 13, covering Early Years, Primary and Secondary education.

Diyafah International School Abu Dhabi is co-educational and non-selective, welcoming applications from all nationalities and ability levels.

The school reports over 60 nationalities represented and more than 43 languages spoken; no public breakdown of exact nationality proportions is provided.

The school provides English as an Additional Language (EAL) support to help students for whom English is not a first language access the curriculum. The school reports a diverse community with over 60 nationalities represented and more than 43 languages spoken.

Affiliated with the United Kingdom through the English/National Curriculum (British curriculum).

No formal religious affiliation is stated.

The school day typically runs from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, reflecting standard school hours. The campus provides a canteen for lunch options on site.

Transport is outsourced to School Transport Services LLC (STS). Buses are SMART with CCTV, GPS tracking and attendance scanners; the service includes a Salama attendance/app system and a standard annual fee. Area coverage includes Mohamed Bin Zayed City and other Abu Dhabi locations. Contact: transport@diyafahinternationalschool.com; +971 2 558 5665 ext. 107.

Diyafah International School follows the English National Curriculum for Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9) with a Pearson curriculum aligned to the National Curriculum of England. Foundation Stage follows the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The curriculum includes Arabic (A/B), French and Spanish, and UAE MOE subjects such as Arabic, Islamic Studies and UAE Social Studies. English is the language of instruction for most subjects, with English as an Additional Language (EAL) support available. The school features a house system (Hawks, Harriers, Eagles, Falcons), a Student Council, and an extensive after-school extracurricular program. The school is located in Mohammed Bin Zayed City, Zone 13, Abu Dhabi; the principal is Mr. David Flint, and ADEK rates the school as an A Band Good School in e-learning.

Alumni have gained admissions to leading universities in the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Australia and the Indian subcontinent.

The Inclusion Policy identifies a Gifted & Talented Coordinator and the ASDAN program to support advanced learners. The Winnie D'Cunha Scholarship offers up to 50% tuition discount for high-achieving students.

The school prioritises emotional and mental health as part of a positive whole-school environment. There is an ethos of constructive, caring relationships across the school built on trust, kindness, safety and security. Students have a sense of belonging and are encouraged to talk to their teachers about worries and difficulties. The school teaches social and emotional skills through the Counsellor and Social Welfare worker, helping students identify feelings, thoughts and emotions. All staff are encouraged and supported to be alert to students' behaviour and interactions, and safeguarding procedures guide responses to concerns. There is a safeguarding policy in place and staff receive safeguarding training.

The school has an Inclusion Policy aligned with ADEK's 2023 Inclusion Policy. There are currently 40 students registered on eSIS with additional learning needs at Tier 2 or 3 of support. Current provision uses Shadow Teachers/Individual Assistants to support these students. Standard inclusive provision includes staffing for inclusion: 2023-24 – Head of Inclusion; SEN Teacher; Gifted & Talented Coordinator; 2 Learning Support Assistants; 2024-25 – Head of Inclusion; 3 SEN Teachers; Gifted & Talented Coordinator; 8 Learning Support Assistants. The policy also provides for accessible learning spaces, inclusive teaching and learning support, assessment accommodations, and a centralised assessment, referral and tracking system.

The EAL Department was established in September 2018 to support learners whose first language is not English. It is currently staffed with two EAL teachers and an EAL Learning Support Assistant, led by Head of Department Trudian Pryce. The department's mission is to develop English language skills so that students academically succeed, participate globally and adapt to a diverse society. Teaching and learning take an inclusive approach: content is broken into small steps, graphic organizers are used, and exam skills such as skimming, scanning and identifying key information are taught; a bilingual dictionary is encouraged. Identification and Support involves initial assessments and GL NGRT Reading Tests and English Progress Tests to determine the level of EAL support, with students banded into waves A–E and parents notified if further support is needed. Levels of Support include Intensive Pull Out, Regular Language Pull Out, In Class Support and Regular Monitoring.

The school prioritises emotional and mental health alongside physical health and safety. It fosters constructive, caring relationships built on trust, kindness and safety and aims to create a sense of belonging. Students are encouraged to talk to their teachers about worries and difficulties. A Counsellor and Social Welfare worker deliver social and emotional skills and help students identify feelings and emotions. Staff are supported to observe and respond to wellbeing and behavior in the school. Two full-time nurses provide medical support during the school day and arrangements for private consultations can be made.

The school has a safeguarding policy in place with procedures for staff to follow when concerns arise. The safeguarding lead works with the Wellbeing Committee, Head of Inclusion, School Counsellor and Health & Safety Officer to promote safeguarding across the school community. The policy aligns with ADEK's 2023 Inclusion Policy and ADEK regulations. The policy is effective as of 02 January 2024.

Admissions are open from Nursery/FS1 to Year 13 for Academic Year 2026-27, starting in September 2026. To apply, register online and submit the required attachments: passport copy of your child and the most recent school report if applicable. The admission process consists of: 1. Online application submission with the specified attachments; 2) Admission interview & tests: Stay & Play for FS1/FS2; Pearson baseline assessment for Year 1; CAT4 test for Year 2–Year 11; and an interview with the Head of Secondary or the KS Coordinator for Year 12–Year 13; 3) Acceptance & admissions: If accepted, an offer is issued by the Admissions Team. For inquiries, call the admissions team from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday to Friday at +97125585665.