As both a parent and a teacher, I want the same things for my children as I believe all parents want for their children: for them to be safe, happy, supported, appropriately challenged and successful in whatever their interests and ambitions may be.
Great teachers put children at the heart of all their decisions, and they know that the relationship between home and school is a crucial one. When both parents and teachers work together in a supportive and harmonious manner, it can be fantastic for all involved, and ultimately children benefit, thrive and flourish.
Parents should have a clear understanding of what is learnt at school and how they can offer support from home
It's true that children spend a lot of their time at school, but it’s also true that they spend even more time at home with their families. Effective, open communication is what both schools and families need if they are to fully support children in their academic, personal, emotional and social development.
This communication differs, develops and grows depending on the age of a child – it can be the sharing and reading of stories at home, the practising of times tables, the sourcing of resources for a science investigation or help with finding a relaxing space at home to study in peace and quiet.
If this is all done with patience, warmth and good humour, children feel secure and valued, and this helps them bounce into school with a smile and a sense of excitement knowing they have the confidence for the day that lies ahead.
Teachers and parents should complement each other, and the trust developed should be reciprocal. It's fair that parents should have both a clear understanding of what is learnt at school and how they can offer support from home. There is much value in understanding the journey that a child is on, without surprises.
Some parents may naturally want to help more than others, and here, too, communication is key. All children are individuals and each family is unique, and so if both schools and parents know what they want, the appropriate support can be provided and, subsequently, fantastic progress can be made.
The celebrating of success is key to developing self-esteem and confidence, and great teachers know that finding out what children are good at outside of the school day – whether that be music, art or sports – and supporting that success with a kind word in school builds highly effective and long-lasting relationships.
Parents want to know that their children are in safe hands with teachers who care about them, know them, and recognise and acknowledge their skills, interests and achievements. It's important that news from home related to a child, whatever that may be, is shared and understood by all.
Balance is crucial in developing and sustaining productive home-school relationships, and there is much value in encouraging resilience, being courageous and asking children to do their best. Parents showing support for school advice, whether that be by limiting time spent on gadgets and gaming, supporting home learning, being a role model in actions and words, and demonstrating the value and importance of education, is always appreciated by a school.
Ultimately there is no one-size-fits-all approach and great teachers know this, taking the time to build relationships. Open and transparent communication, trust and good humour go a long way in making sure that home and school complement each other in bringing out the very best for all children.
Simon Jodrell is the principal at Dubai British School in Emirates Hills
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Fixtures
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWednesday%2C%20April%203%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EArsenal%20v%20Luton%20Town%2C%2010.30pm%20(UAE)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EManchester%20City%20v%20Aston%20Villa%2C%2011.15pm%20(UAE)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EThursday%2C%20April%204%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ELiverpool%20v%20Sheffield%20United%2C%2010.30pm%20(UAE)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
U19 WORLD CUP, WEST INDIES
UAE group fixtures (all in St Kitts)
- Saturday 15 January: UAE beat Canada by 49 runs
- Thursday 20 January: v England
- Saturday 22 January: v Bangladesh
UAE squad:
Alishan Sharafu (captain), Shival Bawa, Jash Giyanani, Sailles
Jaishankar, Nilansh Keswani, Aayan Khan, Punya Mehra, Ali Naseer, Ronak Panoly,
Dhruv Parashar, Vinayak Raghavan, Soorya Sathish, Aryansh Sharma, Adithya
Shetty, Kai Smith
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Miss Granny
Director: Joyce Bernal
Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa
3/5
(Tagalog with Eng/Ar subtitles)
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Stamp duty timeline
December 2014: Former UK finance minister George Osbourne reforms stamp duty, replacing the slab system with a blended rate scheme, with the top rate increasing to 12 per cent from 10 per cent:
Up to £125,000 - 0%; £125,000 to £250,000 – 2%; £250,000 to £925,000 – 5%; £925,000 to £1.5m: 10%; Over £1.5m – 12%
April 2016: New 3% surcharge applied to any buy-to-let properties or additional homes purchased.
July 2020: Rishi Sunak unveils SDLT holiday, with no tax to pay on the first £500,000, with buyers saving up to £15,000.
March 2021: Mr Sunak decides the fate of SDLT holiday at his March 3 budget, with expectations he will extend the perk unti June.
April 2021: 2% SDLT surcharge added to property transactions made by overseas buyers.
