Development Programme
Candidate Information Pack
• About Us
• A Warm Welcome
• Academic Life
• Our Campus
• Living in Cairo
• Induction and Early Career Teacher Entitlement
• The Two Year Programme
• The People Development Programme
• About You
• Benefits
• Application Process
Uppingham Cairo opened to pupils aged 3 to 13 in New Giza in September 2024 in sight of the Great Pyramids of Giza. It is the first overseas branch of Uppingham School, a leading co-educational independent boarding school in the UK and will expand over time to cater to pupils aged 3 to 18.
Based on the values and ethos of Uppingham School, Uppingham Cairo embraces Egypt’s rich history and culture to bring a school of exceptional quality.
We care about who our pupils become. We believe in the transformative power of education. Yes, our priority is to deliver a wide-ranging curriculum; however, in the context of the 21st century, it will be our pupils’ personal qualities and values, not just exam results, that will set our pupils apart.
“We are building something extraordinary For the young people of Cairo.”
I am delighted that you are considering joining Uppingham Cairo as an Early Career Teacher.
This is a tremendously exciting time to be joining the School. Our first pupils joined us in September 2024, and they are already thriving in our ground-breaking Day Boarding environment. For the first time since 1584, there is another Uppingham. Not only in name but in character, philosophy, values and ambition - the connection is genuine, it is wholehearted and it is exciting.
As you will see from the wealth of information In this briefing pack, we are unashamedly ambitious for our new school. We were awarded full British Schools Overseas (BSO) Accreditation through inspection by ISI as well as membership of HMC, IAPS, BSME, COBIS and many other world leading organisations, in our Founding Year.
We know that we are building something extraordinary for the young people of Cairo, and we know how significant and important a task that is.
We are looking for exceptional people to join us, as our school expands in all year groups, and our current 3rd Formers began studying their GCSE courses in September 2025.
If this role represents a challenge and an opportunity that genuinely excites you, I would be delighted to hear from you.
With all good wishes,
Emma Webb Headmistress
Our commitment to a holistic education is as wholeheartedly held here in Cairo as it is in historic Uppingham School in Rutland, UK. Intellectual rigour, exploration, critical analysis, creativity, risk taking, communication, teamwork - all are central to the way we guide, nurture and inspire our young people.
Our role is to give our pupils the skills, confidence and capabilities to navigate their own paths through life - and the unshakeable sense of self they need to influence the world around them.
Every child navigates through education differently. Pupils thrive when they follow a curriculum that is right for them. Through our innovative teaching and wide range of options, we create a curriculum suited to each child’s interests, aptitudes and aspirations.
Academic rigour and aspirations matter to us and through our unique Day Boarding Programme, social and community initiatives, we encourage and inspire pupils to become self-aware, thoughtful and independent.
We help them to explore their motivations, strengths and ambitions; to find the right path for them. Our size means we offer unrestricted subject choices. We challenge and stretch all pupils - in the classroom and beyond.
We keep our curriculum fresh and relevant by embracing new technology and collaborating with leading institutions around the world to develop state-of-theart learning and sporting programmes
Uppingham Cairo is located in the prestigious New Giza area in sight of the Great Pyramids of Giza. Our outstanding campus is genuinely world leading; encouraging curiosity, discovery, self-expression and excellence in every pursuit.
Our facilities include:
• The Leonardo Art and Design Department, including bespoke facilities for Fine Art, Ceramics, Photography, Design & Technology, Computer Aided Design and Textiles as well as individual Studio Spaces for pupils from the 4th Form
• The Donald Campbell Sports’ Centre, including an indoor swimming pool, Multi-Purpose Sports’ Hall, indoor and outdoor Performance Gym and Indoor Running Track
• Natural grass Sports’ Pitch, Tennis, Mini-Tennis, Padbol, Paddle, Squash and Basketball Courts
• The Barbara Matthews Theatre, with a full size theatre, Black Box Theatre, Music Department classroom and Individual Music Practice Rooms
• The Johnson Early Years Department, with a Senior indoor swimming pool, beach, school farm and garden
• The Thring and Abercrombie Buildings house the Senior School academic department classrooms alongside Biology, Physics and Chemistry laboratories, computer science suites, the House Common Rooms, the Thring Dining Room, Dance Studio and the Thring Senior Library
• The Queen Elizabeth II Senior School Building house the Upper Pre-Prep and Lower Prep Departments alongside the QEII Dining Room, Music Room, Art Room, Exhibition Hall and Senior Library
• The Rutland Sixth Form Building, with bespoke study group classrooms, the Sixth Form Common Room, Sixth Form Laboratories and academic libraries
Uppingham Cairo is located in a safe haven of open spaces and suburban communities yet close enough to the capital for staff to enjoy the hustle and bustle of this extraordinary city.
Cairo is a very vibrant and welcoming city, rich in culture and history. Well used to tourists from all over the world, many of the locals speak English. It has a very Western feel with all the modern conveniences and services you are used to – home delivery, Amazon, Uber, shopping centres and restaurants to cater for every taste.
The working week is Sunday to Thursday. Friday is much like a Sunday in the UK so services may vary slightly to the rest of the week.
The cost of living in Egypt is very low, compared to the UK (around 86% less). Domestic help and services are very affordable; utilities are around £15–20 per month and eating out is extremely reasonable. This means that staff can save whilst enjoying a high quality of life on their expatriate salaries.
Uppingham Cairo is located in 6th of October City, approximately 30km southwest of the capital, just 12km from the Pyramids of Giza (which are visible from the school) and 13km from the new Grand Egyptian Museum.
The area offers a relaxed, suburban lifestyle of spacious, upscale accommodation in secure communities or compounds with large, landscaped grounds and cleaner air.
Communities are walled and gated, with security at each entrance, making them extremely safe and family friendly. Many have amenities such as parks, play areas, lakes, shops, restaurants, cafes, gyms, pools and golf courses.
Induction
The Uppingham Cairo ECT Induction Programme follows the same processes and routines as schools in England.
Our Appropriate Body (AB) is Education Success Partnerships (ESP), the only AB directly designated by the Secretary of State for Education to oversee ECT Induction in DfE accredited British Schools Overseas.
Key Areas of Responsibility
Teachers at Uppingham Cairo are expected to make the education and welfare of their pupils their primary concern and are accountable for achieving the highest possible standards in work and conduct.
Teachers act with honesty, integrity and ensure that their professional knowledge and skills are up-to-date within a climate of high expectations and continuous improvement.
Early Career Teachers are entitled to:
• A named mentor to regularly meet and discuss progress, in timetabled time
• A structured early CPD programme which is based around the ECF content, delivered either by the School or by an ECF provider
• Half-termly lesson observations and the ability to observe outstanding practitioners
• Termly assessments by the School’s ECT Induction Tutor, with two formal assessment points at the end of terms 3 and 6
They forge positive, professional relationships and work with parents in the best interests of the children in their care.
Teachers conduct themselves in an appropriate, professional manner at all times to foster the aims and ethos of Uppingham Cairo and make a positive contribution in all areas of school life, from the promotion of good manners to involvement in enrichment activities.
• A ‘no surprises’ approach to assessments. The ECT’s performance will be discussed regularly by the mentor and the teacher
• Additional 10% non-contact time in the first year, over and above the standard 10% PPA time
• Additional 5% non-contact time in the second year, over and above the standard 10% PPA time
• Support from a DfE AB throughout Induction
Uppingham Cairo draws upon an expert blend of high-quality professional development materials produced by University College London (UCL) and the National Institute of Teaching (NIoT), two leading institutions at the forefront of teacher education in the UK.
Our programme integrates the evidence-based principles, research and best practices developed by these organisations, whilst being carefully adapted to reflect the unique context of our school in Cairo. This ensures that training remains both internationally benchmarked and locally relevant.
By combining world-class pedagogical frameworks with our deep understanding of Egyptian culture and community, we provide a professional learning experience that supports our teachers to grow as reflective practitioners, uphold Uppingham values and deliver exceptional learning outcomes for our pupils.
Year 1
In your first year at Uppingham Cairo you will be appointed as a Co-Teacher in the Junior School, working alongside an experienced Form Teacher who will guide and mentor you as you develop your teaching skills and gain experience.
With a maximum class size of 12 pupils, you will have plenty of time to really get to know the children in your care.
With the Form Teacher taking responsibility for the class, you will develop expertise and confidence in a pressure free environment, designed to enable you to enjoy your early days of teaching, to reach your full potential and thrive.
Year 2
Co-teachers who demonstrate the necessary skills and commitment in their first year will be promoted to the position of Junior School Form Teacher, with full responsibility for their class.
You will continue to receive first class training and support and will also begin your formal induction process which will continue into your third year.
With the guidance and support of your mentor, you will continue to deepen your knowledge, personalising and extending your learning by co-creating your own questions to investigate.
By Year 3, you will have completed our Early Career Development Programme and your formal induction process will have been recorded as complete in the UK.
You will continue to teach in the Junior School full time and may begin to take on additional responsibilities or move towards a more specialist role as you grow in expertise and experience.
Opportunities for personal growth and development continue as you take advantage of the opportunities on offer in our People Development Framework.
The establishment of a robust staff development framework, mentoring and clear career pathways is crucial for continuous growth and professional excellence.
• Phase 1: Career Beginnings
Laying the foundational skills and knowledge for new teachers
• Phase 2: Honing Practice
Refining teaching methods and deepening subject expertise
• Phase 3: Extending Impact
Supporting others through mentorship and collaborative initiatives
• Phase 4: Stepping into Leadership developing leadership competencies for aspiring middle and senior roles
• Phase 5: Deepening Expertise
Pursuing advanced qualifications and specialist knowledge
Uppingham Cairo is a Day Boarding School, open from 7.30am – 9.00pm Sunday to Wednesday, and until 4.30pm on Thursdays.
All staff are expected to:
• Be aware of and committed to the ethos and values of Uppingham Cairo as a Day Boarding School
• Make a positive contribution to the wider life and ethos of the School and contribute to the Day Boarding Programme which runs until 9pm Sunday –Wednesday; this includes active participation in House activities, assemblies, duties, the Co-Curricular Programme, Parents’ Evenings and other related commitments.
• Carry out any task that can be reasonably be expected of them in their role
• Take an active role in the development and implementation of school policies and in the whole life of the School
• Ensure that there are equal opportunities for all
• Follow school procedures as outlined in the staff handbooks
• Promote environmental awareness across the School.
• Develop effective professional relationships with colleagues, exercising sound judgement in seeking advice and specialist support, and deploying support staff appropriately.
• Take responsibility for the continuous improvement of teaching through appropriate professional development, and respond constructively to advice and feedback from colleagues.
• Communicate promptly and professionally with parents regarding pupils’ achievements, behaviour and wellbeing, in accordance with the School’s communication procedures, and make purposeful use of the School’s electronic communication systems to support teaching, learning and engagement with the wider community.
• Be fully committed to Safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children
To join our Early Career Teacher Programme for the 2026-2027 Academic Year, you must have completed your Primary Teacher training in the UK and you must hold Qualified Teacher Status (QTS) before you join the School in August 2026. You may currently be completing (and on track to achieve) your BEd or PGCE, or you may have recently qualified but not yet begun/completed your induction programme.
You must be fully committed to a two year programme.
Education, skills, training and qualifications
• University degree from a recognized academic institution
• Strong pedagogical knowledge
• Working knowledge of the National Curriculum
• Demonstrable commitment to personal professional development
• Strong interpersonal, written and oral communication skills with the ability to deal confidently with a wide range of people including staff, pupils and parents
• Outstanding planning and organisational skills
• Able and willing to contribute to the Co-Curricular and Day Boarding Programme
• Understanding of UK Safeguarding and Child Protection protocols
Experience
• Comfortable working as part of a team
• Experience of, or a clear understanding of UK Independent Schools and/or British International Schools
• Commitment to the ethos of the school as a Day Boarding School and a belief in the unlimited potential of every pupil
• Ability to embrace and manage change
• Emotional intelligence. An ability to relate well to children and develop effective professional working relationships with adults
• Passion, resilience, integrity and optimism
• Approachable and empathetic to the needs of others
• Enthusiasm and an ability to use own initiative
• Ability to prioritise and work flexibly as workloads require, and a willingness to take ownership of tasks
• Attention to detail and ability to actively question and clarify information
• A role model who demonstrates professionalism at all times
• A positive outlook on life combined with energy, thoughtfulness, resilience, patience and a lively sense of humour
• Competitive Salary
• Fully furnished and equipped high quality accommodation in close proximity to the School
• Airconditioned transport to and from the School during term time
• Meals when on duty, including lunch for all teaching staff
• Annual return flights
• Comprehensive Private Healthcare Scheme Membership
• Free access to primary healthcare at the on-site Medical Centre
• Free annual flu vaccination
• 100% School fee discount for up to 2 children and 15% uniform discount
• Free membership to the Uppingham Cairo Sports Centre, including use of gym and swimming pool
• Comprehensive Professional Development Programme with ongoing mentoring and coaching
• Employee Assistance Programme and access to Occupational Health Services
Applications should be made by sending a fully completed Uppingham Cairo Application Form, including at least 2 referees and Cover Letter, to recruitment26@uppinghamcairo.com.
CVs may also be sent in addition to the Application Form.