Q. How easy is it to get a car? What documents will I need and do I need a deposit?
A. (See Hire a Car link) In the first few weeks/month, renting a car may be your best option as you will not be able to buy a car until you have a visa. Rentals are done on your UK license and you can pay cash or a UK credit card for the deposit and monthly payments.
Q. How much money should I bring with me for my first month?
A. One month’s wages will be fine and should last you until you get paid. Obviously, this depends on how you choose to spend your time (and money!); Dubai can be expensive with a lot revolving around eating and drinking, but equally, there are a number of low cost (and free) things to do as well as budget supermarkets. If in doubt speak to your buddy for 1st hand experiences.
Q. Should I bring any resources with me from my previous school?
A. It is always good to bring the resources that you’re comfortable with using, ideally electronically so as not to clock up extra baggage allowance! Resources will be shared within the department and this will also mean you will be able to add to the bank.
Q. What activities are likely to be planned for the first week?
A. Induction at Kings’ is a combination of getting to know your new school, your new home, and your new colleagues. In school, there will be a mixture of the whole school and department activities in order to better understand policies and procedures. Outside of the school day, we often plan optional social activities for you to get to know Dubai and your colleagues.
Q. Will my classroom be ready? Will I need to bring/prepare any resources for it?
A. Time will be given to prepare your classroom and resources, although this will be limited due to a busy induction programme. Staff will be able to access your school and classroom over the holiday period and we are open 24 hours. Although we encourage you to take your holiday days and enjoy Dubai.
Q. What are the policies on displays? What resources are already provided in my classroom?
A. Kings’ has a very specific policy for displaying and celebrating work. Fortunately, our very experienced and wonderful Learning Assistants are always on board to help us. Your classroom will be equipped with the resources that you will be familiar with in the UK – pencils, books, etc.
Q. Should I do any planning before I come? What is the planning format like?
A. Planning formats will be shared by your Year Leaders/Subject Leader during induction, however prior to you joining Kings’ the existing teams will put in place a skeleton plan/scheme of work that you will be able to work from for your first few weeks. Your Year/Subject leader will be on hand over the summer via email to support you with this further.
Q. What should I wear for school?
A. Like the UK, professional attire is always expected. Kings’ sets high standards and expectations on staff professional attire. Unlike in the UK, there are additional requirements to be culturally sensitive. For female teachers, this means not showing your shoulders or wearing short dresses/skirts – knees must be covered. For male teachers, a shirt and tie are always expected, with access to the suit for meetings (although Primary male members may not always wear a suit during the day, Secondary teachers often do).
Q. Will I meet the children before my first day?
A. Towards the end of the induction week, parents have the opportunity to come and meet you as part of ‘Meet the Teacher’ for both new and existing children. You will also receive handover information from existing teachers so even if you do not meet your new class, you will know some background information about them.
Q. What clubs will I be expected to do?
A. Each class teacher will run one ASA (after-school activity – primary)/ESA (extracurricular activity – secondary), or more if they choose to. The ASA/ESA will last for one hour, once a week. It can be an area of interest for you, e.g. sport, art, reading, etc. or you can support a club with another teacher who may be a specialist in that area.
Q. What duties will I be expected to do?
A. Like in the UK, you will do duties at break and lunch. The exact number is dependent on your role in school and in Primary the year group that you teach.
Q. Will my apartment be furnished?
A. Yes. Refer to link to Staff Accommodation.
Q. What belongings should I bring with me?
A. Your apartment will be fully furnished and your flight baggage allowance will only be 30kg. Some people shipped over some of their belongings (keepsakes, reminders of home.) It is a good idea to bring some photos etc to personalise your apartment. There’s an IKEA and lots of home stores that you can buy any additional small things that you would like.
Q. Will my mobile phone work?
A. You may find that your mobile phone needs unlocking in order to use either an Etisalat, Du, or Virgin SIM card. It is therefore recommended that you check your phone is unlocked prior to leaving the UK. Whilst phone unlocking is available in the UAE, it can be costly and dependent on your model, it could also take time.
Q. Is it easy to set up the internet?
A. Internet is relatively easy to set up in Dubai, but there are certain limitations. Your internet service provider is determined by the building you are living in, i.e. an entire building is serviced by either Etisalat or Du, but not both. Processes have changed a lot over the past few years. Whilst some people have had to wait for their visas to be processed, others have been able to provide a letter of no objection (provided to you by the HR department). The process itself isn’t difficult, but you will need to be patient. One tip would be to access a data package on your phone (and use the wifi in cafes and malls).
Q. Will I be able to visit neighbouring countries once I arrive?
A. Dubai is an amazing place and base to explore the region, but whilst your visa is in the process you will not be able to leave the UAE. You can however visit any of the six other Emirates, all different from Dubai and beautiful. Once your visa has been completed, many staff enjoy short breaks to Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Oman, and Thailand.
Q. How long does the visa process take to complete?
A. How long is a piece of string?! For some, it might take six-eight weeks, but for others, it might take longer. To aid the process, the HR department and Arabic Secretaries will ensure you know what paperwork is needed and where you need to be for different parts of the application process, e.g. blood tests, ID Card application, etc. Follow their instructions and then the rest is out of your hands and down to the government departments that issue the visas.
