Here at Teacher Horizons most of us have been teachers, many of us international teachers and even senior leaders. This means we have a thorough understanding of what makes a school desirable from a teacher’s perspective. Our aim is to travel around as many international schools as possible and visit them in person. This means we can discover the information that teachers will need before making a decision about whether they would like to work there. Here are some of the schools we have visited recently, and what we found out.
School name: Dubai English Speaking College, DESC
Country and city: UAE, Dubai
Curriculum/s: UK
Who visited?: Laura
How did you get to the school? Where is it located?
I drove and it was very easy and central to get to. Staff also live fairly close in the city.
How big was the school?
Large but there was a very friendly feeling to it. It is a not for profit school so all profits are reinvested. It has an excellent reputation among students and parents in Dubai.
What were the buildings and facilities like?
The Head, Chris Vizzard, took me around on a golf buggy around the extensive campus which was amazing. It is a very well resourced school! It has amazing facilities and even a Formula 1 Simulator in the Science block!
Did you speak to any staff members? If so, how were they finding it?
All the staff looked very happy! The Head also introduced me to the Head of the Staff Wellbeing committee and this is one of the school’s major benefits for staff (see below).
What was the best thing about the school in your opinion?
They have a great Staff Wellbeing Committee. They organise ‘Coffee/Cake Wednesdays’, ‘Thank You Thursdays’, and lots of social events. There is also a staff gym, and they offer health and Yoga days!
Any other important info?
New staff get put up in serviced apartments (with cleaners!) for their first year. Also they are very active on social media with a big Youtube channel and Twitter account – they are very good at the marketing side of things too.
Dubai English Speaking College has vacancies now! Have a look here. You must be signed in to apply, so set up a profile here.
School name: International School of The Hague
Country and city: Netherlands, The Hague
Curriculum/s: IPC, MYP, IBDP
Who visited?: Alex and Caroline
How did you get there?
We cycled! As do hundreds of school children every day. It was fantastic and the school is very family friendly.
What were the buildings and facilities like?
Very modern and open plan, lots of light! The school has grown significantly in the last few years and so there are newer parts and older parts. It’s very beautiful.
Did you speak to any staff members? If so, how were they finding it?
We met lots of the staff members – all who seemed very happy there. There’s a new Head this year so there has been quite a bit of change – especially with the growth – but they were very positive about this, it sounds like things are moving in a very positive direction.
What was the best thing about the school in your opinion?
It had a vibe about it similar to the whole of the Netherlands – open minded, friendly, hardworking but relaxed.
Any other important info? (did the school have something special about it? Or anything I haven’t asked that you think worth mentioning?)
It’s important to note about this school, that their jobs come up late in the year. This is due to Dutch law. Keep your eyes peeled! We have placed over 20 members of staff to this school and continue to work closely with them.Have a read of our Happy Teacher Archives, for more happy teachers in Europe and other locations.
School name: Al Sahwa Schools
Country and city: Oman, Muscat
Curriculum/s: PYP at Primary from KG 1-6, the Cambridge Curriculum from Grades 7-10 (IGCSEs) and the Omani General Education Diploma in Grades 11 and 12 – a great place to gain IB experience at primary level!
Who visited?: Laura
How did you get to the school?
I flew to Muscat the night before the visit and completed the visit as part of a short day trip. Al Sahwa is situated in an affluent district of the city and is close to many major Embassies, shops and restaurants. The beach is only a few minutes away too.
How big was the school?
Large. Al Sahwa has a very positive reputation in the Muscat community. The school is bilingual and comprises a Boys’ School, a Girls’ School and a Kindergarten (which is mixed) on the same site.
What were the buildings and facilities like?
It does feel like the school has outgrown their space a little but they are upgrading and upscaling their facilities and renovating their buildings to modernise it a little bit.
Did you speak to any staff members? If so, how were they finding it?
All the staff looked very happy indeed.
What was the best thing about the school in your opinion?
The students appeared very respectful and polite and eager to learn and do well. Staff are all invited to have breakfast (for free) in the canteen with the students and other staff members every morning. Teachers are all put up in 2 bed apartments to encourage them to invite and have family and friends to stay and enjoy the beauty of Oman.
Any other important info?
Oman itself is a beautiful country; an adventurer’s paradise. There is a beach just minutes away in one direction and mountains a short drive away in the other direction!
Al Sahwa has vacancies now! Have a look here. You must be signed in to apply, so set up a profile here.
School name: Haagsche Schoolvereeniging
Country and city: Netherlands, The Hague
Curriculum/s: British Primary and IPC
Who visited?: Caroline
How did you get to the school?
It is in Central Hague. I drove, but it is 10 minutes walk from the train station.
How big was the school?
Very small, cosy and friendly. It has various campuses, all of which are old houses/buildings converted into schools.
What were the buildings and facilities like?
OK – they had a little wear and tear but lots of character!
Did you speak to any staff members? If so, how were they finding it?
The Head of one of the campuses who has been with the school for several years. I also said hello to some staff – all seemed very relaxed and happy.
What was the best thing about the school in your opinion?
The close knit warm feeling. Fantastic children, and very multicultural.
Haagsche Schoolvereeniging has vacancies now! Have a look here. You must be signed in to apply, so set up a profile here.
We have 2,287 schools in 167 countries, so it might take us a while to get around them all, but we endeavour to! We visit new schools every month, so keep an eye out for more blogs like this one coming soon.
Written by Tiffany Kibblewhite
Teacher Horizons Blog Manager and Recruitment Adviser.