HAZELWOOD ACADEMY, LOKOGOMA,

ABUJA.
STAFF HANDBOOK
Dear esteemed Staff,

We welcome you to Hazelwood Academy, a community of Destiny moulders 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. MISSION OF THE SCHOOL:

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

2. VISION OF THE SCHOOL:

To equip children with foundational skills that will set them on the right path to becoming
responsible and successful adults. To achieve this, we offer a curriculum that is both
relevant and challenging in an ambient environment that provides a beyond the classroom
experience.

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 behaviour 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.

Fellowship: Staff members are to organize a 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. Attendance
is not compulsory and staff are not obligated to attend every fellowship meeting held at the
specified venue.

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 channelled 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 channelled 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!