HAZELWOOD ACADEMY,

LOKOGOMA, ABUJA.
STAFF HANDBOOK

Dear esteemed Staff,

We welcome you to Hazelwood Academy, a community of Destiny molders and

builders. The school is built on a platform of Spiritual and Academic Excellence.
We also believe that staff members should operate based on some defined
principles and policies for efficiency and positive outcomes.

To ensure smooth operation of our duties and responsibilities, all staff members
should take note of the following policies and Guiding Principles.

1. VISION OF THE SCHOOL:

To be an institution known for excellence in the provision of sustainable

foundational skills.

2. MISSION OF THE SCHOOL:

To equip children with foundational skills that will set them on the right path to
becoming responsible and successful adults.

3. Resumption/Closing Policy

All staff are to resume for duty at most 7:30am. Punctuality is the soul of every
business. Hence, we encourage every staff member to be punctual to school. The
closing time for all staff is 4:00pm from Monday to Thursday and 1:30pm on
Friday
 4. Assembly Policy

The Hazelwood Academy puts so much value on all assemblies. This is because,
we use assemblies as a platform at which social and moral skills are developed
among children. We consciously use the assemblies to communicate character
traits and values to our pupils. As a result of this, teachers are enjoined to show
adequate commitment to the success of the assembly.

It is therefore compulsory for every teacher to be in every assembly with their

pupils.

5. CLUB POLICY

All staff members are expected to be a member of a particular club base on choice
and interest. Meanwhile, the school has the right to assign any staff to any club
depending on the needs of the school.

6. Staff Meetings

For the purpose of briefing, reviewing and upgrading of our operational policies,
there is a need to have staff meetings at least once a week. Date and time to be
determined by staff members or management.

The staff meeting is to be presided over by the supervising head of the school. Also
during the staff meeting, minutes of proceeding to be taken by a staff appointed as
the staff Secretary. Attendance is compulsory for all staff and appropriate
permission for any staff that will be absent be taken.

However, if there is need for an emergency staff meeting, every staff is liable to be
in attendance.
6b. Conduct during Meetings: All staff are to maintain modest behavior during
proceedings. No side talks murmuring will be entertained. Phone calls and rings
are not accepted during any meeting.

7. Staff Prayer and Fellowship

As a Christian based School, it is mandatory to participate in regular prayer and

fellowship meetings. It’s mandatory for all staff members to show high level
commitment to this as it will enhance our spiritual development, which equips us
to produce spiritually minded children as well. Prayer sessions come up between
7:30am to 7:40am from Monday – Friday.

Fellowship: Staff members are to organize fellowship meeting at least once in a

week, preferably Friday. The fellowship is used to engage the staff members in
Spiritual activities like prayers, worship, word-sharing so as to enhance
development of the school.

8. Discipline

As a Christian – based School, a high standard of discipline is needed or expected

in accordance with laid down principles of the School. At all times the staff
members are expected to behave in a courteous and socially acceptable manner.

Any breach of discipline will result in reprimand and disciplinary actions. The
school shall not tolerate any form of immoral acts among staff in school.

Teachers shall not make defamatory statements or comments about their fellow
teachers and other staff members.

Teacher shall not compromise exam questions in favour of any student. In other
words, they shall not be involved in Examination malpractice.
A teacher shall not have carnal knowledge of any person he/she knows to be a
student/pupil or a teacher of the school or be involved in any indecent relationship
with such a person.

During school hours, teacher shall not take any form of alcoholic drink or cigarette.

8b. Respect for Constituted Authority

Hazelwood Academy attaches so much value to hierarchy of operations. It

recognizes the principles of Leadership and Fellowship harmony. All staff
members are to recognize and observe respect for every constituted authority.
Every level of leadership in the school administration is important and staff should
respect them. Disrespectful attitude shall not be tolerated and will meet with
strong disciplinary action. All of us are to exist to submit to authority. This is
because, the authority you fight, you can never assume.

Life is a seed and respect for leaders is seed of life.

8c. Information management

Information is very vital in the life of every organization. Hazelwood Academy

promotes high level and effective management of information. Hence, staff
members are to disseminate information promptly and with discretion. They are
not expected to dispense any unauthorized information to parents or other clients.
Rumour mongering is prohibited. Dissemination of wrong information may attract
strong disciplinary actions.
8d (i) Use of Telephones

Staff members are not expected to receive and make calls in the classroom.
Telephones will not be allowed in the classroom. Staff may use their phones during
the short break (1:00pm) or after school and must be outside the classroom. If any
teacher is caught breaching this policy, he/she may forfeit the day’s pay.

If for any reason that a teacher must use the phone outside this prescribed period,
the management must give approval.

8d (ii) Vernacular

On no account should a staff member engage in the use of vernacular in the school
compound. All communication must be in English language. (Pidgin English not
permitted as well)

9. Duties of Teachers: the statutory duties of the teacher among other things
are as follows:

a. contribute to the generation of scheme of work with reference to the school

curriculum

b. prepare lesson plans and submit to his/her supervisor within the stipulated
timeline

c. teach according to the prescribed syllabus and in accordance with the

teaching and learning policy of the school

d. encourage pupils in the pursuit of learning

e. Shall be on special duty for reasonable periods beyond the prescribed hours
of instruction there after compose a comprehensive report to be submitted to
the school Administrator.

f. Shall attend meetings or conferences called by the school management.

 g. Shall carry out continuous Assessment periodically to appraise the progress
of their pupils.

h. Shall maintain and manage all statutory records of the school and submit to
their supervisors at the stipulated timelines.

i. Shall participate in Extra-curricular activities as part of their regular duties.

j. Shall maintain a pastoral role in the lives of the learners.

k. Any other duties as deemed fit by the management.

10. Parent/Teacher Relationship

A cordial relationship between staff and parents is expected at all times. They are
partners in progress. Staff members are to note that customers are always right, and
so should exhibit high level of tolerance and restraint in the face of every
provocation from any parents. We should always display courtesy and respect at all
times.

11. Staff/Pupil Relationship

At Hazelwood Academy, the standard relationship expected between staff and

pupils is a mentor-mentee relationship. We are expected to love and mentor them,
so they can see us as models. Corporal punishment and molestation of pupils is
totally forbidden and will attract disciplinary actions.

12. Dress Code

Staff members are expected to comply with the standard dress code of the school.
The dress code for the staff members are:

i. Corporate dress or outfit from Monday – Wednesday.

ii. Thursday – T-Shirt on Jeans Trousers/Skirts.

iii. Friday – Traditional attires which must not be too bogus that will hamper
smooth movement and operations.

13. Permission/Leave

- Every staff is entitled to a casual leave of seven days per annum. Meanwhile,
every permission to that effect should be taken at least twenty –four hours in
advance to enable the management make arrangement for a cover-up.
- Indiscriminate demand for permission will not be tolerated as no permission
shall be given within an academic year beyond the stipulated seven days
casual leave.
- Staff should apply for permission with a written application to the school
head for approval. No verbal application shall be accepted. Any unofficial
absence from duty will attract query and deduction from Salary.
- The use of SMS or Whatsapp messages to seek permission from home is not
acceptable.

MATERNITY LEAVE:
i. Maternity leave shall be for twelve weeks/3 months
ii. Staff members are entitled to maternity leave until after twelve months in the
service.
ii. Any maternity leave before the stipulated time above will be without pay.
iii. Any staff on maternity leave shall be entitled to half month salary.
iv. After resumption from maternity leave, the staff is still entitled to close by
2:00pm Monday – Thursday until the child is 6 months old and there
after resumes normal closing hours
v. The staff may come along with their personal nanny until the child is 1 year
old provided the school has a crèche. The child cannot be in the class
because this will be a distraction to the staff in question.
 14. Assignment Policy

Assignment is an integral part our academic program. It is meant to enhance

effective follow-up of learning outcomes and effective feedback system.
Hazelwood Academy therefore has a policy of giving Daily Assignments. That
means that every teacher is expected to give at least one assignment every school
day. It is also our duty to ensure that all assignments are dully marked and
corrections affected before a new one is given. Teachers are expected to ensure that
students or pupils complete assignments and return same as at when due.

15. Staff Training

As part of our continuous personal development policy, the school shall organize
staff training and capacity Building from time to time. So, every staff is liable to
attend every training session. (i.e. compulsory). We shall also take advantage of
weekly staff meetings to carry out internal capacity building for the staff members.
Staff members from time to time can be appointed to do presentations based on
their strength and needs of the school.

The dates and time for every training is determined by the school authority.

16. General Condition of service for all Staff:

The school and its staff have mutual rights and obligations, which may be
summarized as follows:

Responsibilities of the School

The school gives every employer an opportunity to develop his/her talents to

the maximum by;

a. Providing necessary facilities and a conducive working environment

b. Giving fair consideration and equal opportunity to all staff in matters of
engagement and promotion on the basis of merit.

c. Providing security of employment and good conditions of service

d. Creating healthy working relations by policies, which allow employees’

grievances affecting them be channeled through their Heads to the school
authority.

Responsibilities of The Employees:

The school expects from its employees, among other things the following:

a. A sense of responsibility for an involvement in the quality of work he/she

is engaged in and for which he/she is employed.

b. To exercise care and attention towards the welfare of the learners and
school equipment and all other facilities provided for the running of the
school.

c. To cooperate and establish cordial relationship with fellow colleagues

and school management

d. To carry out instruction faithfully.

e. To maintain utmost confidentiality with respect to school information

management.

TERMS AND CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT

Engagement and Termination of Appointment

a. Appointment with the school is made after the applicant has

successfully passed an interview.

b. Appointment commences on probation for a period of not less than six

months. During the probation period, quarterly report may be made on
the work and conduct of the employee. At the end the probation, the
 staff appointment is confirmed subject to the recommendation the
Head teacher and ratification of the Director.

c. Appointment during probation or after confirmation may be

terminated by either the employee or the employer on giving one
month notice or payment of one month’s salary in lieu of notice.

In case of a permanent staff, notice of resignation can only take place at the end of
a term.

Evaluation

Staff evaluation will be carried out at specific times of the year for different
categories as follows:

1. Newly recruited staff: evaluation will take place twice before confirmation
of appointment; at the end of the first term of resumption and also at the end
of the second term.
2. Confirmed staff: evaluation will take place twice a year. The purpose of
this will include but not limited to :
(a) Assessment for personal development
(b) Assessment leading to increment in salary.
Benefits

Salary increment will be done every year and the percentage increment is at the
discretion of management based on merit.

Staff will become qualified for long service award at the end of their fifth year of
service provided they have a proven track record of quality service to the
organization evidenced in their appraisal.

Staff of the year.

There shall be a staff of the year award at the end of every session. This award is at
the discretion of the Director.
Grievance procedure

All grievances must be channeled through the supervisors to the head of admin.
Non - academic staff will channel grievances through the head of support staff.
Drivers shall report to the head of administration through the bus manager

Congratulations to you again for being part of the Hazelwood family!