Visiting Speaker Policy

⚠️ SAFEGUARDING-CRITICAL POLICY — REQUIRES HUMAN SIGN-OFF BEFORE USE This policy governs which adults address children at school. Before it is used, Al Fajer Private School leadership must fill every [NEEDS AFS INPUT] placeholder and confirm who approves speakers and maintains the register. Nothing has been invented to fill those gaps.

DOCUMENT CONTROL

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Aims & Purpose
3. Protocols
4. Agreement and Guidelines for Visiting Speakers
5. Organization
6. Risk Assessment for Visiting Speaker / Event

1.0 Introduction

1.1 We may invite speakers to give age-appropriate talks that enrich our students' experience of school, widen their understanding of the world around them, and offer inspiration through the sharing of a visitor's experience.

1.2 Both the School and its students greatly appreciate the time and effort that visiting speakers put into their presentations.

1.3 Our responsibility to our students — who are young children in KG1 – Grade 6 — is to ensure that anything they hear is suitable for their age and aligned with the ethos and values of the School: loyalty and integrity; intellect, optimism and creativity; respect for the values and traditions of the Kingdom of Bahrain; and mutual respect and tolerance for people of different faiths and backgrounds.

2.0 Aims & Purpose

2.1 The purpose of this policy is to set out the School's expectations when hosting visiting speakers and the standards of conduct expected from them.

2.2 This policy was drawn up with the School's child-safety and safeguarding obligations at its center. [NEEDS AFS INPUT: confirm the safeguarding framework AFS adopts]

2.3 This policy should be read in conjunction with the School's Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy.

3.0 Protocols

3.1 The protocols are:

• 3.1.1 All requests for an outside speaker to come into school or deliver an online session are approved by the Principal. [NEEDS AFS INPUT: confirm the approving role]
• 3.1.2 Speakers are approved by the Principal, who monitors talks to ensure a suitable balance of views over time.
• 3.1.3 Every visiting speaker has a nominated point of contact at the school (the organizer).
• 3.1.4 The organizer asks the speaker to outline the content of their presentation, in writing or informally, before it begins.
• 3.1.5 The organizer asks the speaker to read and sign the Agreement and Guidelines for Visiting Speakers (see below).
• 3.1.6 The organizer researches the person/organization to establish whether they have expressed extreme views, through searches or word of mouth.
• 3.1.7 Visiting speakers undergo vetting appropriate to their role and in accordance with the School's risk-assessment process and child-safety expectations.
• 3.1.8 This may include, but is not limited to, providing the School with photo ID and CPR (Central Population Registration) number, and agreeing to abide by the School's Safeguarding & Child Protection guidance.
• 3.1.9 The School may refuse to allow any person or organization to use school premises where there are links to extremist groups or movements.
• 3.1.10 The School's decision will be provided to the person/organization in writing.
• 3.1.11 The School maintains a formal register of all visiting speakers. Any information gathered is kept in line with the School's data-protection obligations under Bahrain's Personal Data Protection Law (PDPL). [NEEDS AFS INPUT: role that maintains the speaker register]
• 3.1.12 An appropriate risk assessment is completed prior to the event (see below).
• 3.1.13 Visiting speakers are accompanied at all times and are never left unsupervised with students. For larger events where direct one-to-one supervision is not possible, the risk assessment reflects this and puts proportionate measures in place.
• 3.1.14 If a talk does not meet the School's requirements, or contains content that gives cause for concern, staff have the right and responsibility to interrupt and/or stop the presentation.
• 3.1.15 Where partisan views are expressed, a balancing perspective will be arranged without delay.
• 3.1.16 A post-event evaluation is carried out of how well the visit met the needs of our students (see below).

4.0 Agreement and Guidelines for Visiting Speakers

(including virtual speakers and online sessions)

The School's responsibility to our students is to ensure that any information they receive is suitable for their age and aligned with the ethos and values of Al Fajer Private School and with mutual respect and tolerance for people of different faiths and backgrounds.

Name of visiting speaker: ____________________

5.0 Organization (if applicable)

The visiting speaker agrees to the following terms and conditions:

• 5.1.1 The presentation must be appropriate to the age and maturity level of the student audience (KG1 – Grade 6).
• 5.1.2 The presentation must not incite hatred or violence or call for the breaking of the law.
• 5.1.3 The speaker must not encourage, glorify or promote any acts of terrorism, including individuals, groups and organizations that support such acts.
• 5.1.4 The speaker must not spread hatred or intolerance of any minority group in the community, or otherwise disrupt social and community harmony.
• 5.1.5 The speaker must avoid insulting other faiths or groups, within a framework of positive, age-appropriate discussion.
• 5.1.6 The speaker may not raise or gather funds for any external organization or cause without the express permission of the Principal.
• 5.1.7 Compliance with the School's Educational Equal Opportunities Policy and Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy is required.
• 5.1.8 The speaker must provide any documentation the School requests in line with its safeguarding requirements.
• 5.1.9 School staff have the right and responsibility to interrupt and/or stop the presentation for any violation of this agreement.

I have read these guidelines and agree to abide by them.

Visiting speaker's signature: ____________________

6.0 Risk Assessment for Visiting Speaker / Event

Please pass this form to the Principal [NEEDS AFS INPUT: role that receives the completed form] at least one week before the event (with or without the agreement form).

Signature of Principal / designated leader: ____________________

Post-event evaluation: ____________________