Senior School
Our Approach
During a temporary closure, Senior students follow their normal timetable, in UAE time. Every lesson is resourced in Microsoft Teams. Lessons begin at their normal times, and each 50-minute lesson finishes five minutes early, to allow a movement and rest break.
Each day begins with 8 before 8, a short pastoral session with your child’s Personal Tutor, and includes Personal Development Time (PDT) each afternoon. The 1:25pm PDT session also supports students in other time zones, who may prefer to complete morning lessons independently.
This blended approach is informed by international research, including work by the Education Endowment Foundation, the OECD and the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Phased Delivery
We build towards live teaching in every subject over the first two weeks.
| Period | Live lessons | Other subjects |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | English, Mathematics, Science, Arabic, Islamic Education, PE and PDT | Teams Assignments, submitted by the end of the timetabled lesson |
| Week 2 | Week 1 subjects, plus History and Geography | Teams Assignments, submitted by the end of the timetabled lesson |
| Week 3 onwards | All subjects live, following the normal timetable | Teams supports resources, assignments and submission |
The Online Day
All live lessons begin at the same time as on the normal Senior timetable. Between the fixed points below, your child follows their own timetable.
Monday to Thursday
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 7:50am to 8:00am | Pastoral: 8 before 8 |
| From 8:00am | Academic: live lessons, as timetabled |
| 10:40am to 11:00am | Break |
| 1:25pm to 1:45pm | Pastoral: Personal Development Time |
| 1:50pm to 2:40pm | Academic: live lessons, as timetabled |
Friday
| Time | Session |
|---|---|
| 7:50am to 8:30am | Pastoral: 8 before 8 |
| From 8:35am | Academic: live lessons, as timetabled |
| 10:20am to 10:40am | Break |
| 10:40am to 11:30am | Pastoral: Friday Assembly |
Live lessons are for direct teaching and interaction with teachers and classmates. Teachers often share their screen and use questioning to check understanding. We expect every student to take an active part.
Independent lessons let students work through content at their own pace, to consolidate live learning or prepare for the next session through ‘flipped’ learning. Work is posted before the lesson, with clear instructions and a deadline.
What We Expect of Students
- Be ready: MacBook charged, a quiet workspace, equipment to hand, headphones if useful.
- Dress for learning: students wear their QE PE kit.
- Join on time: every lesson is in the Teams calendar.
- Cameras on: we ask all students to keep cameras on in live lessons.
- Take part well: microphone muted unless speaking, use Raise Hand, use the chat appropriately.
- Complete work in the lesson: submit Teams Assignments by the end of the lesson, unless told otherwise.
- Phones away, as in school. Private chat between students is restricted.
- Never record, screenshot or share a lesson.
- Keep conversation on learning: please avoid speculation or discussion of current affairs on school platforms.
The Behaviour for Learning system still applies. Inappropriate online behaviour will be logged and followed up, including contact with parents. Activity on school laptops can be monitored.
Joining a Live Lesson
Option 1: From the Calendar
- Open Microsoft Teams.
- Select Calendar.
- Find the lesson at the time shown on the timetable.
- Select Join.
Option 2: From the Class Team
- Open Teams and select the correct Class Team.
- Open the class channel.
- Select Join on the meeting post.
Cannot see the meeting? Check the Team and channel. If it is still missing, contact the teacher or Personal Tutor rather than waiting.
If Something Goes Wrong
If your internet fails
Try to rejoin straight away, refresh Teams and restart the device if needed.
If you cannot rejoin
Continue independently using the resources in the Class Team, and tell the teacher afterwards.
If you miss a lesson
Check the Class Team, meeting chat and shared files, complete the work you can and contact the teacher if you need help.
If you join late
Enter quietly, check the chat and instructions, then begin the task.
Pastoral Care at Home
It is completely normal to feel worried, confused or unsettled during uncertain times, and no student is expected to manage that alone.
- Personal Tutor: the first point of contact, at 8 before 8 and PDT each day, or by message through the agreed school channel.
- School Counsellor and Safeguarding Team: for anyone feeling anxious, overwhelmed or unsafe. Urgent concerns should be shared straight away through the student self-referral form on Firefly.
- Deputy Head (Pastoral): for ongoing pastoral concerns, attendance, behaviour or wider support.
- Senior Leadership Team: if something feels urgent, or immediate reassurance is needed.