In this episode, Claire talks over the internet to Ben Cooper, vice-principal of GEMS Wellington Academy in Dubai and founder of the WAGOLL teaching and Literacy WAGOLL websites.
Ben talks about how he began developing his Literacy WAGOLL (What A Good One Looks Like) website ten years ago in England just after the key stage two writing assessments were adapted to use moderated evidence. After creating a range of example texts for his class and publishing them online, other teachers began contacting him to share their example texts and his site grew.
After moving to Dubai about six years ago, Ben soon became the head of teaching and learning in the primary school at his academy and is now vice-principal for the primary phase. During this time, Ben blogged about his experiences of everyday teaching beyond the subject-specific skills, focusing on elements such as the humanistic side of educating children. Although this blog started out as a part of his Literacy WAGOLL site, Ben felt that as it was more about teaching in general, it didn’t gel with the site’s literacy focus so he created a new WAGOLL Teaching site to share his ideas and observations.
Ben also talks about the approaches his school has taken as a result of the impact of the coronavirus including how, ahead of local school closures, they liaised with other international schools to share ideas and discuss successful or innovative approaches being taken in places where restrictions were already in place. Ben also discusses his school’s arrangements for home-learning including how they are currently delivering four live online lessons a day for maths, English, science and story-time.
Along with this, Ben also discusses the benefits of technology, the importance of social connections now more than ever, and shares some tips for parents trying to balance home-learning alongside work.
KEY TAKEAWAYS

Moving to teach abroad is easier than you might think.While moving to another country to teach is an attractive proposition for many teachers, some people might be put off expecting the process to be complicated and full of paperwork. While there is indeed a need for forms to be completed, if you are successful in being appointed at a school in another country, in almost all cases, most of the processes will be handled by the school who will be well placed to make key arrangements on your behalf. However, there can be a perception that teaching at an international school can be ‘easier’ than teaching in England. While there can be less work to complete outside of school hours, there are different types of pressures and expectations which can make it equally challenging but in different ways.
The humanistic side of teaching is important.Teaching can sometimes feel almost solely focused around academic expectations and progress and it is important that we don’t forget the people at the centre of everything we do. This is particularly important during this time of increased isolation and restrictions. Maintaining and developing social connections for the children as well as the teachers is vital.
Don’t forget to dedicate time to yourself.As the coronavirus has restricted us to being at home almost all of the time, many people have found that they have more time to themselves. This can be an ideal opportunity to try and find new interests and different things to do with one unexpected positive being that many people – children included – could emerge from this experience being more aware of themselves and wellbeing.
Try to maintain some normality.Even though we are in extraordinary times it can be helpful, for children as well as ourselves, to try and keep aspects of our lives as ‘normal’ as we can. This can help to reduce feelings of being overwhelmed or anxious about the ongoing situation which, as it continues, can be unsettling for everyone but particularly for children
Make the most of opportunities to upskill on technology.For teachers, the current situation is ideal, for tho