"What the teacher is, is more important than what he teaches." -Karl Menninger
Being a Nord Anglia Education Professional
Nord Anglia Education offers a range of exciting and challenging opportunities for people who are passionate about improving the quality of daily life through the provision of high quality education services. We have regular opportunities both in the UK and overseas for teaching and non-teaching professionals.
Why Join Us?
Nord Anglia Education is a business with a clear strategy in place for the future. The Company consists of two divisions - International Schools and Learning Services.
Join us and you will be joining one of the biggest names in the business of education, training and guidance within the UK and overseas driven by a professional and talented team of people dedicated to achieving excellence in improving the quality of education in all we do.
We offer significant responsibility supported by structured personal development based on performance objectives, appraisal, mentoring and succession planning. This approach enables us to identify development opportunities across all the divisions in both the UK and our global operations.
Our culture is of personal accountability and self-development within the environment of high performing teams. Nord Anglia Education believes in equality of opportunity and employs people from all sections of the community solely on the basis of their abilities.
What can you expect from us?
- High expectations in all that we do, especially for the standards of learning and teaching
- To be treated fairly and with respect
- A safe, attractive and friendly working environment
- Purpose built schools with outstanding facilities
- A generous level of resources and materials
- Reasonable workload
- Opportunities for continued professional development through IB regional workshops, the Nord Anglia CPD program and on -going PD within the School
- Collegiality
Salaries and Benefits
Basic salaries are competitive and provide teachers with a good standard of living in Abu Dhabi. However, Abu Dhabi has become an increasingly expensive city. Financially, a married teacher with spouse and children would probably find it hard to be the only wage earner. The most important benefit is housing as this reduces outgoings and makes working in Abu Dhabi viable therefore you should include it in your calculations.
British International School, Abu Dhabi has a salary scale. New teachers are placed on the salary scale according to previous relevant experience, at maximum entry level and move up the scale annually assuming successful appraisal. Salaries are non-negotiable to maintain parity between teachers.
The current benefits available for overseas teachers include:
- Furnished accommodation (apartment) or a cash housing allowance
- Health insurance for the teacher and dependents
- Annual economy return air tickets for the teacher and dependents to agreed point of origin
- Up to two free places for dependent children
- End of contract gratuity
Accommodation
Overseas hire teachers are provided with accommodation either close to the BISAD campus or within 30 minutes of the school. Accommodation is fully furnished and of a good standard. Teachers do not pay for the cost of accommodation except utilities (water, electricity, sewerage)
Local Transport
Taxis are readily available (see below about which ones are preferred) Most employees choose to buy a car. Cars are relatively inexpensive and easy to purchase. Insurance can be expensive depending on your insurance record and age. Petrol and maintenance are inexpensive.
International Teaching
Teaching overseas has many benefits and provides education professionals a wealth of opportunities that a national education system may not be able to offer. Teachers new to working overseas should reflect on whether or not they think have the characteristics to be, or continue to be, a successful international educator. Indeed, what do you think makes a successful 21st century international educator?
Preparation for a new life overseas is essential. There is a great deal for you to do to support a smooth transition into a new place of work. Many different personality types are successful international teachers. However, overall people with willingness to be open to new friendships, share professional expertise and become part of learning community are more successful international teachers. At BISAD we suggest that you think about the following, very carefully, before you apply and most definitely before you join us!
- Take practical advice regarding your finances and personal circumstances
- Learn as much as possible about the host country in advance so that have realistic expectations
- Anticipate a challenging adjustment period of at least three – six months before making a decision about the move and whether you like it or not
- Do not expect to be able to replicate your current lifestyle. Many things will be different.
- Look for what is there, not for what isn’t and remember you moved for a change.
- Intercultural awareness, understanding, tolerance and adaptation take time and effort.
- Ambiguity and uncertainty can lead to and frustration but can be overcome with a flexible and open attitude to your new circumstances
- Challenges are opportunities to grow and develop; differences are opportunities to learn more about yourself
- Do not expect of the new culture the same sense of urgency or availability of conveniences
- Are you able to change your perspective to find the positive in new or challenging situations
- Maintain a sense of humour, but most importantly be ready to laugh at yourself.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi is the capital city of the United Arab Emirates. It is a vibrant middle eastern, wealthy and expanding city. The UAE is a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). It has a large expatriate population and a significant tourist industry catering to mainly Western visitors. Expatriates are welcomed in a safe, modern city. Modern shopping malls are plentiful and provide everything one would expect in any global destination. English is widely spoken and is the language of sign posting, shops etc. At the same time, Abu Dhabi is proud of its Arabic heritage and culture and as a Middle Eastern city and staff joining BISAD must respect local customs. For example, dress code in public places is modest and conservative. For more information, click the link below:
Local Laws and Customs
Local laws reflect the fact that the UAE is a Muslim country. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times and be aware of your actions to ensure that they do not offend other cultures or religious beliefs.
Women should dress in a modest way, particularly in Sharjah and Ajman Emirates where Islamic law is rigorously enforced. Clothes should cover the tops of the arms and legs, and underwear should not be visible.
Public displays of affection are frowned upon, and there have been several arrests for kissing in public. Sex outside of marriage is illegal, and problems will be encountered if an unmarried woman gives birth in the UAE. These problems can range from a refusal to issue a birth certificate to arrest and imprisonment. A marriage certificate has to be provided to the UAE authorities to obtain a birth certificate. Cohabitation, adultery and homosexual behaviour are also illegal.
Swearing or making rude gestures is considered an obscene act and offenders can be prosecuted. It has been known for offenders to receive a six-month jail sentence for such an act. Particular caution should be exercised when dealing with the police and other officials.
You should exercise the same caution as you would in the UK in not accepting lifts from strangers, and in only using licensed taxis or other recognised forms of public transport. In Abu Dhabi, it is advisable to avoid the gold, green and white street taxis, which can be badly maintained and erratically driven.
Residents can obtain liquor licences to consume alcohol in private homes. These licences only permit the holder to purchase or consume alcohol in the Emirate that issued the licence e.g. a permit issued in Dubai is not valid in Abu Dhabi. Alcoholic drinks are served in licensed hotels and clubs. But it is a punishable offence to drink or to be drunk in public. The legal age for consumption of alcohol is 21 in Abu Dhabi and the Northern Emirates, except Sharjah where any alcohol consumption is illegal.
It is an offence in the UAE to drink and drive (no matter how small the amount). There is zero tolerance policy for drinking and driving, and the penalties can be severe.
The importation of narcotics, pork products and pornographic books and material is forbidden. Videos, books and magazines are subject to scrutiny and may be censored.
The penalties for drug trafficking, smuggling and possession, of even residual amounts, of drugs are severe. The possession and/or import of even the smallest amount of drugs can result in a minimum prison sentence of four years. The presence of drugs in the blood stream is counted as possession.
Some prescribed and over the counter medicines that are available in the UK are considered to be controlled substances in the UAE. Any such medication is not allowed into the UAE without prior permission from the UAE Ministry of Health. If a passenger arrives in the UAE without prior approval and the required documentation, the medication will not be allowed into the UAE and the person may be subject to prosecution under the laws of the UAE.
Under FAQ's on the English pages of the UAE Health Ministry's website (http://www.moh.gov.ae/en/default.aspx) it says:"Individuals may bring medicine in to the country for their personal use. Up to three months supply of a prescription item can be brought in to the country by a visitor and 12-months supply by a resident if they can produce a doctor's letter or a copy of the original prescription. Narcotic items should not be brought in to the country. In exceptional cases they can be brought in to the country but only with prior permission from the director of medicine and pharmacy control who will assess the individual case. These guidelines relate to medicines brought in by an individual through an airport or border crossing and medicines arriving by post."
If you want to buy property in the UAE, you should, as in the UK, seek appropriate professional and legal advice. Nord Anglia Education cannot offer any assistance.
Fraud, including bouncing cheques and the non-payment of bills (including hotel bills), is regarded seriously in the UAE and can result in imprisonment and/or a fine. Bail is generally not available to non-residents of the UAE who are arrested for crimes involving fraud.
Photography of certain government buildings and military installations is not permitted. You should not photograph people without their permission.
The Gulf Cooperation Council
| Name | Capital | Population | Area (km2) | GDP (mil. US$) | Per Capita (US$) | Currency |
 Bahrain | Manama | 1,046,814 | 716 | 15,354 | 23,604 | Bahrain Dinar |
 Qatar | Doha | 1,307,229 | 11,437 | 52,722 | 80,870 | Qatari Riyal |
 Kuwait | Kuwait City | 2,460,000 | 17,818 | 95,924 | 39,300 | Kuwaiti Dinar |
 Oman | Muscat | 2,534,000 | 309,500 | 35,990 | 19,879 | Omani Rial |
 Saudi Arabia | Riyadh | 26,417,599 | 2,240,000 | 572,200 | 21,200 | Saudi Riyal |
 United Arab Emirates | Abu Dhabi | 4,588,697 | 83,600 | 163,296 | 55,200 | UAE Dirham |
Useful websites include:
Foreign and Commonwealth Office, UK Government
www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/
www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/middle-east-north-africa/united-arab-emirates
Information about UAE Education Authorities
www.adec.ac.ae/en
www.moeya.ae
International Baccalaureate website with curriculum information
www.ibo.org
Department for Children, Schools and Families
www.dcsf.gov.uk