Teacher Code of Conduct

Teacher Code of Conduct

Quest Compassionate Education

This Code of Conduct sets the standards expected from all teachers delivering online English lessons for Quest Compassionate Education (QCE). It ensures safe, respectful, and responsible teaching for every student.

1. Professional Behaviour

Teachers must:

  • Be punctual, prepared, and present for each lesson.

  • Communicate clearly, respectfully, and with patience.

  • Maintain professional boundaries at all times.

  • Avoid any behaviour that could be interpreted as inappropriate, suggestive, or overly familiar.

2. Contact With Students

Teachers must only communicate with students through QCE-approved lesson platforms.

Prohibited:

  • Adding students on social media

  • Private messaging

  • Sharing personal contact information

  • Direct communication outside the lesson

All lessons must take place with a trusted adult supervising students on-site.

3. Appropriate Content

Teachers must ensure all lesson content is:

  • Age-appropriate

  • Culturally respectful

  • Focused on learning outcomes

The following topics must be avoided unless part of approved curriculum content:

  • Politics

  • Religion

  • Sexual content

  • Personal or family matters

  • Sensitive or distressing topics

4. Safeguarding Expectations

Teachers must:

  • Follow QCE’s safeguarding standards at all times

  • Report any safeguarding concerns immediately to the Safeguarding Lead

  • Never ignore signs of harm, distress, or inappropriate behaviour

  • Not attempt to investigate or intervene locally — report only

If a lesson becomes unsafe or inappropriate at any point, teachers should pause the session and notify the Safeguarding Lead.

5. Online Teaching Environment

Teachers must:

  • Teach from a quiet, private, and appropriate location

  • Use professional, neutral backgrounds

  • Dress appropriately for an educational setting

  • Keep their camera on at all times during lessons

  • Use QCE-provided or approved accounts/platforms

Recording lessons (if enabled) is managed by QCE only.

6. Boundaries and Conduct

Teachers must not:

  • Comment on a student’s appearance

  • Ask personal, intrusive, or sensitive questions

  • Give gifts, money, or personal support to any student

  • Request personal information

  • Engage in any behaviour that could be interpreted as favouritism

Teachers must remain aware of cultural differences and act with sensitivity.

7. Data Protection

Teachers must:

  • Keep all student information private

  • Not store, download, or distribute lesson recordings

  • Not screenshot or capture student images

  • Report any data concerns immediately

8. Communication With Local Partner

Teachers should work collaboratively with the on-site partner (e.g., Samban) and respect their role in:

  • supervising students

  • managing the learning environment

  • supporting attendance and behaviour

Teachers must not give instructions that place the partner or students at risk.

9. Reporting Concerns

Teachers must immediately report:

  • inappropriate behaviour

  • unsafe environments

  • concerning disclosures

  • anything that feels “not right”

All concerns go directly to the Safeguarding Lead.

Teachers must not promise confidentiality to a student.

10. Commitment to QCE Values

Teachers are expected to:

  • Uphold QCE’s mission

  • Model kindness, respect, and integrity

  • Encourage learning and confidence

  • Support students with patience and positivity

  • Represent QCE professionally at all times

Agreement

All teachers must read and agree to this Code of Conduct before delivering lessons. Compliance is a requirement for ongoing participation in QCE’s teaching programmes.