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STAFF HANDBOOK

TABLE OF CONTENTSTS

Title Welcome Message About Us To be filled up when the pages are finalised

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Title Welcome Message About Us To be filled up when the pages are finalised

Page 1 2 3

WELCOME TO

THE ENGLISH COLLEGE Welcome to The English College! You have joined a school that progressively changes and develops to meet the needs of our students and staff. Founded in 1992 and located in the Al Safa area of Dubai, The English College is a British curriculum international school. Although the majority of the student population is British, EC caters for over 60 different nationalities and celebrates the diversity of its student body. Graduates are placed mainly in top UK universities, while also attending leading European, American, Australian and other centres of tertiary education around the world. Staff are recruited mainly from the UK or from international schools worldwide.

Creating a culture of high challenge and high expectations through professionalism. At The English College we pride ourselves on being a non-selective, responsibly inclusive school. We recognise that all students in the school need to make the same levels of progress, regardless of their starting point, and we need to ensure that we create the climate to achieve this. Therefore, our teachers need to establish a culture of high challenge and high expectations with a rigorous focus on high calibre teaching - informed by research and evidence based practice – generating high quality learning. We expect all staff to have high expectations of themselves and the students, and we do not hide behind the excuse of aspiration. If students have low aspirations, it is our job to change these - the issue is not one of aspiration but expectation. If schools have low expectations of students this in turn impacts on the aspirations of young people. Students need to feel proud of being a member of The English College for all the right reasons; not just because it is a happy, caring school but because it is engaging and provides excellent teaching and learning and what’s more, expects them to achieve great things, regardless of their starting point.

Fundamentally, we expect all staff to plan and deliver lessons which meet

the needs of all students, be confident that all lessons are engaging and challenging and ensure all marking and feedback is effective. We expect all of our teachers to be reflective and invested in their own professional learning journey, where every teacher is actively seeking to continuously improve over their time with us. Our mantra, as school leaders, is that when you move on from EC, you leave a better teacher, or a better leader, than when you arrived. In a dynamic school such as ours, the staff handbook is a crucial document. It lays out not only our purpose, vision and core values but, in conjunction with the Staff Intranet Site, describes in detail our provision, practices, systems and processes that make the school the successful organisation that it is. It is vital that all staff familiarise themselves with its contents and use it as a reference manual to support their work. While teaching is a creative and individual art, schools have to have consistently applied practices and policies in order to give our students their full entitlement to the quality education we have on offer. Signature Mark Ford Principal

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HISTORY 1992 Established as a Secondary school for Year 7 to Year 13. 2005 Addition of Primary school on a separate campus for students

from FS 1 to Year 6.

2019 Merger of Primary and Secondary schools to become an allthrough Early Years to A-level British school.

2020 Secondary G + 3 building opened its doors, featuring Science

Labs; Music & Arts facilities, Library, Learning Commons; Dining Hall with Terrace; Sixth Form Study & Common Rooms.

2020 New PE/Sports Complex with Fitness Studio; separate

Changing Rooms, fully equipped Clinic, Activity/PE Classroom, and large PE/Sports Hall.

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CORE PURPOSE To inspire confident and passionate learners who will thrive and make a difference. .

VISION At the English College, we encourage students to always try their best and aspire to excellence. We strive to develop lifelong learners who flourish in all they do and embrace, with passion and confidence, their responsibility to support others and make a difference both locally and globally.

VALUES

ASPIRATION GRATITUDE INTEGRITY RESILIENCE RESPECT 15

ASPIRATION

We have high expectations and strive to achieve excellence “You can go almost anywhere you want to go, if you really want to go.” Langston Hughes

GRATITUDE

We are kind and appreciative in all that we do “We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” Cynthia Ozick

INTEGRITY

We have a strong moral compass choosing courage over comfort. Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.” C.S. Lewis

RESILIENCE

We face challenges with tenacity - we adapt, respond and grow. “I can be changed by what happens to me, but refuse to be reduced by it.” Maya Angelou

RESPECT

We respect ourselves, others and our environment. Respect for ourselves guides our morals, respect for others guides our manners.” Laurence Sterne

STRATEGIC PILLARS IN 2025, THE ENGLISH COLLEGE WILL BE…. A school where students are making exceptional progress in their studies and exceeding their expectations; where we can be sure that every student sets off into the world with the personal skills and aptitudes to thrive and examination results of which they can be proud. A school where all members of our community value and invest in their own wellbeing and that of others, following principles of Positive Psychology in the context of the UAE culture, in order to ensure that they are resilient, able to manage their emotions and have and show gratitude. A school where we have high quality, innovative, evidencebased teaching & learning, where staff challenge their practice, collaboratively reflecting on what works, implementing successfully and evaluating its impact on student outcomes.

STRATEGIC PILLARS IN 2025, THE ENGLISH COLLEGE WILL BE….

A school where we have the very best personalised professional development programme for our staff, where every single colleague is passionate and invested in their professional development journey and has a high quality development programme mapped out in collaboration with them. A school where we have the highest expectations of students and ourselves, where we develop lifelong learners who, no matter his or her starting point, are expected to work as hard as they can, and consistently behave in line with our values. A school where we have a challenging, responsive, adaptive, knowledge-rich curriculum, which develops transferable skills, synoptic thinking and deeper understanding, engendering intellectual curiosity and preparing students for the next phase of learning.

STRATEGIC PILLARS IN 2025, THE ENGLISH COLLEGE WILL BE…. A school that develops leaders for the future, equipped with excellent communication skills, emotional intelligence, grit and resilience - leaders give and get respect and will have a positive, lasting impact A responsibly inclusive school with transparent identification, rigorous monitoring and systematic evaluation of the impact of interventions. We provide an adaptive curriculum that offers individual challenge and support for all students. All students have a personalised learning pathway that maximises their ability to achieve both academically and holistically. A school that has the highest reputation - one we genuinely deserve - for the quality of education we provide, the investment we make in our staff and our exceptional facilities and resources. We are the school of choice for parents and the best teachers and support staff want to come and work here. Equally, students from all around want to come and learn here – because they know they will thrive.

IN 2025, ASSESSMENT WILL BE Directly related to the taught curriculum, with formative and summative assessments used to benchmark against standardised assessments, nationally and internationally. Data is valid and rigorous and is able to feed forward to both inform parents of attainment and progress and inform teachers to adapt the planned curriculum and enable them to personalise teaching and learning.

WHAT WE EXPECT FROM D Highest of expectations for students D Belief that all students can make progress D Support yet challenge student learning D Inclusive approach D Commitment to safeguarding D Passionate about what and how they teach D Desire for excellence in all respects D Growth mindset - everyone can improve D Assume positive intent D Committed and dedicated professionals

THE ACADEMIC TEAM To be in attendance during working hours - Monday-Thursday 3.45-7.15 and Friday 12.30-7.15. In the event of sickness you must telephone the Deputy Head of School, contact your line manager and email cover@englishcollege.ac.ae by 6am. You must complete the Leave Request Form on the Staff Intranet Site and you are responsible for preparing and sharing adequate cover work. To attend and participate in weekly meetings on a Monday 4.40 - 3.40. To attend and participate in weekly CPD on a Tuesday 4.40 - 3.40. To be present at all relevant events scheduled in the Google Calendar Commitment to, and engagement in, Parents’ Evenings A positive approach to reasonable requests such as student supervision, cover and duties To be an advocate for ECs policies and procedures - more details on P&P can be found at the end of this handbook

‘For further information refer to the Code of Profess Practice / Staff Intranet / HR / P&P etc etc

WHAT WE EXPECT FROM D Positive attitude D Punctuality D Dependability D Responsibility D Help Others D Go above and beyond D Be passionate

D Desire to grow and develop D Communicate effectively D Meet deadlines D Show initiative D Engage

THE SUPPORT TEAM To be punctual every day. The Support Team working hours are MondayThursday 4-7.30pm and Friday 12.30-7.30pm In the event of sickness you must contact your line manager by 6am, in addition to completing the Leave Request Form on the Staff Intranet Site. Attendance and contribution to the monthly Support Team meeting A willingness to contribute to wider and whole school activities and events To be an advocate for ECs policies and procedures - more details on P&P can be found at the end of this booklet

EMPLOYEE COMMITMENT 1.

I treat students with dignity, build relationships rooted in mutual respect, and at all times observe proper boundaries appropriate to a staff member’s professional position.

I have regard for the need to safeguard students’ well-being, in accordance with statutory provisions and the safeguarding policy.

I do not undermine fundamental values, including democracy, the rule of law; demonstrating mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs.

I have a professional regard for the ethos, policies and practices of the school and read all school policies.

I ensure that my personal beliefs are not expressed in ways which exploit students’ vulnerability or might lead them to break the law.

6: I make a positive contribution to the wider life and ethos of the school including attending school events.

I develop effective professional relationships with colleagues, knowing how and when to draw on advice and specialist support.

I show tolerance of and respect for the rights of others and never use discriminatory language or discriminatory behaviour in any form (gender, disability, race, sexual orientation, religious belief or age)

I demonstrate consistently the positive attitudes, values and behaviour which are expected of students.

I communicate effectively with parents with regard to students’ achievements and well-being.

I demonstrate commitment and understanding of the U.A.E culture, identity and values and the educational priorities for the Nation.

I establish and maintain professional relationships and behaviours focused on the learning and wellbeing of each learner.

I maintain high standards in my own attendance and punctuality.

I maintain an appropriate standard of professional attire when at school, meeting the cultural and professional norms of people working in the UAE

EXPECTATIONS: DRESS CODE We are educators, role models etc etc…we need to present this way Clothing should be sensitive to the UAE culture in which we live and take the eclectic mix of people in our school community into consideration. Clothing should not be too tight-fitting, sheer or revealing All tattoos must be covered Piercings should be limited to one pair of earrings Jewellery and make up should be conservative Men are required to wear: D

A short or long sleeved shirt and tie (teachers)

Smart trousers (no jeans)

Closed shoes

A smart jacket for formal meetings

Women are required to wear: D

Skirt, dress or trousers to the knee (no jeans)

Top to cover the shoulders and decolletage (no jean material)

Sandal or shoe (no flip flops)

A smart jacket for formal meetings

If you are taking part in physical exercise or leading sports activities, you are still expected in a classroom setting, to be wearing a businesslike outfit where practical. The staff lanyard is part of the staff uniform and to ensure that all members of our school community are identifiable for safeguarding purposes. It must be worn around your neck at all times, this includes non-school uniform days. On non-uniform days, staff should be mindful of the UAE context. All clothes worn should adhere to the cultural values of Dubai.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM LEADERSHIP TEAM D

Commitment to take action to meet values

Investment in staff CPD

Integrity, Honesty & Vulnerability

Evolving practices to increase productivity

Stability

Recognition of effort

Opportunities to grow with the school

Excellence

Fair and consistent treatment of staff

Sufficient & open communication

Support and professional challenge

A commitment to Wellbeing

Access to WSLT in an emergency whenever needed

Name:

Mark Ford David Wilcock Mathew Budd Emily Hopkinson Nicola Hamer Daryl Sims Lisa Denham

Contact Number: 050 261 3897 050 270 9148 052 958 0941 050 245 2058 050 334 9757 050 902 5418 058 665 8681

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM HR Employment related documents processed efficiently, providing adequate time for review Medical Insurance – due diligence, finding the best available for the team Salaries paid on 28th of every month (or the closest working day prior) The very best advice and support when you need it

SCHOOL PROCEDURES DUTIES ECAS MEETING SCHEDULE CPD SCHEDULE COVER STUDENTS MISSING FROM LESSONS CLINIC REFERRALS COMMUNICATION WITH PARENTS PARENTS’ EVENING VISITORS REPROGRAPHICS TUITION / ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT

To acknowledge that you have received and understand the Employee Handbook please scan the QR code

MASSIVE STATEMENT ABOUT TEAMS/ VALUE – TEAMWORK / DREAM WORK! SHORT & SWEET