Director of Studies

Students: Small classes of IGCSE students

Overview

An excellent, enthusiastic and qualified teacher is required for a full time position as a Director of Studies to oversee and manage a small team of teachers on a new training programme running alongside an established, high quality Chinese secondary school. The programme aims to provide academic and cultural training for select groups of students who plan to complete their post-16 studies at top British boarding schools. This exciting new programme will run in parallel with the education offered by an existing school, sharing some of its resources. Groups are limited to a maximum of twenty students.

Role of the DoS

The DoS has a mainly administrative role with a low teaching load. He or she is required to timetable lessons, manage the curriculum and fill any teaching gaps where necessary. This is a shared role alongside a co-Director of Studies (whose responsibilities are marketing and developing strong relationships with parents and management at the school.) There will be considerable overlap in the two roles in the areas of timetabling and discipline.

The DoS must be organised, efficient, and have an excellent eye for detail. He or she must be able to communicate their ideas and opinions effectively, and should be sensitive to the cultural differences and hierarchies that operate in Chinese schools and professional environments. The DoS will ideally have some experience in management positions.

When teaching, the DoS is required to deliver the IGCSE curriculum for a range of subjects, including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Economics and English. The courses will not be examined. The sought-after outcomes include, but are not limited to skills such as:

• improving the students' English language skills;
• helping them write well structured, well argued essays;
• teaching how to critique articles and sources;
• developing group work;
• refining presentation techniques.

On a cultural level, the DoS will also be required to:

• prepare the students for academic interviews;
• assist with the cultural transition from an Eastern to a Western society

The DoS must have an exceptional education background from a good private prep school, through secondary institutions such as Eton, St Paul's, Westminster, Cheltenham Ladies College, Benenden etc. before reading science at either Oxford or Cambridge University. They must be a qualified teacher with at least two years professional experience. It would be advantageous if he or she has prior experience teaching the Asian market. EFL or international experience would also be useful.

This role will suit someone who has a strong spirit of adventure and is uneasily fazed by new cultures. They should take advantage of their new location, embracing the opportunities that are presented to them, perhaps immersing themselves by learning the local language or a local instrument. They should be as excited to explore the region and its history as much as they are enthused by their teaching role.

Hours, Holidays, and Accommodation

This is a full time position. The DoS should respond flexibly to the program's requirements in terms of availability and working time. They will be expected to work an average of 45 hours a week, 5 days per week, and are entitled to two consecutive days off, though not always on Saturdays and Sundays.

The DoS's working hours will occur between 8am and 8pm, but they should expect to be working as needed during the hours of operation and beyond, as befits the executive-level compensation rate. Flexibility in this regard is important because of the number of variables involved in this new program.

The DoS will be entitled to 45 days leave per annum to be taken in accordance with the Chinese academic calendar and holidays.

• This role comes with good accommodation within walking distance of the school.
• A full working visa will be provided on completion of a probationary period.
• Candidates with Taiwanese stamps in their passport will not be accepted for this role. Candidates who get a new passport may apply.
• Candidates with respiratory conditions should be aware that the air quality in Beijing may affect their wellbeing.

For a full job specification and instructions for how to apply, please visit tijobs.net/382