Director of Studies

Summer Boarding Courses; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious summer education provider is looking for a Director of Studies to manage the academic programme. The role involves overseeing class organisation and teacher support, ensuring a positive environment for 14-17-year-old students. Candidates should have TEFLQ status, a first degree, and experience in academic management, particularly within international summer schools. A commitment to student welfare and strong leadership skills is essential. The role offers a competitive salary and accommodation.

Benefits

Paid on-site training

Accommodation included

Staff Wellbeing Initiative

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Experience in Academic Management.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work under pressure.
• Experience in residential international summer schools.

Responsibilities

• Manage the academic programme and oversee class organisation.
• Support and guide teachers while conducting lesson observations.
• Ensure classroom safety and compliance with protocols.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organisational skills

Administrative skills

Empathy

Flexibility

Education

TEFLQ status (Delta, Trinity Diploma, MA TESOL or equivalent)

First degree

Job description

The Summer School Director of Studies manages the Academic Programme, ensuring its smooth operation throughout the summer. They oversee class organisation, teacher support, and lesson delivery, while creating a positive, safe environment for students. Strong leadership, communication, organisational, and administrative skills are essential, as well as experience working with young people in a dynamic setting. Responsible To: The Summer Course Leader and the SBC Academic Management Team in Head Office The Site Appealing to ambitious students wishing to prepare for future success and to gain an the opportunity to spend the summer in the beautiful historic city of Cambridge. Dukes Cambridge students undertake academic courses, exploring their chosen subject through a series of engaging lectures, tutorials, and industry workshops. Their academic programme sits next to their social programme allowing them to explore Cambridge, take part in college events, wellbeing activities and the greatly enjoyed excursion to London. Dukes Cambridge replicates a city university model based at dedicated university student accommodation giving student a true taste of university living. Students on the college programme are 14-17 and the capacity is 140 students each week.

Ways we support our Directors of Studies:

• We will cover the full cost of a new DBS (if required) for your first contract working with SBC. We encourage all staff to sign up for the Update Service
• Extensive, paid, on-site training prior to student arrival
• Accommodation included
• CPD and Appraisals
• Staff Wellbeing Initiative
• Access to Employee Assist Programme (EAP)
• Continual support for all staff from the Head Office Team, both on the ground and via phone/email
• Online safeguarding and prevent training
• Professional, fun and supportive environment, Academic Programme Delivery
• Take overall responsibility for implementing and monitoring the performance of the Academic Programme.
• Organise the students into classes and inform both students and teachers of their classes and levels.
• Keep clear and accurate records of class attendance and work covered.
• Organise all aspects of the weekly academic 'Time to Shine' ceremony following the procedural notes and guidance given by the SBC Head Office Academic Management Team.
• Ensure reports and leavers' certificates are produced on time.
• Be the point of contact for SBC Head Office regarding the Academic Programme.
• Provide feedback on the SBC syllabus and academic processes at the end of the summer.

Team Management

• Lead the summer school academic team, holding daily meetings and being the point of contact for EFL Teachers and Subject Teachers regarding the academic programme.
• Support, manage, and guide teachers whilst carrying out lesson observations, observation feedback, and CPD workshops/idea sessions.
• Teach when necessary to provide cover for absent teachers.
• Be responsible for pre-arrival academic setup and effectively induct teachers at the beginning of the summer school.
• Conduct appraisals, address performance issues and provide ongoing support with input from the Course Leader and Head Office.

Resources, Facilities, Safety & Compliance

• Oversee procurement, storage, distribution, and maintenance of all academic programme stock, ensuring compliance with financial and quality guidelines.
• Set up the Teachers' Preparation room with appropriate signage and maintain it as a functioning workspace.
• Ensure classrooms and other academic programme spaces are welcoming, clean, organised, and meet safety requirements
• Ensure safe delivery of the academic programme by following safety protocols, conducting risk assessments, and ensuring compliance with safeguarding and student supervision policies., You will provide the details of two recent and relevant referees who we will contact and specifically ask about your suitability to work with children and any concerns.
• You will be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS), and equivalent if you live, or have lived, outside of the UK
• You will be asked to state that you have no known reason why you cannot work with children
• Official identification and certificates will be required for our records

Please be aware that SBC may conduct online searches for shortlisted candidates as part of our legal duty to meet out safeguarding duties.

All members of staff employed by SBC will be expected to bring certain key qualities to the operation. There must be a professional interest in working with young people and particularly international children. Safety and welfare of the students is of paramount importance at SBC and a practical enforcing of this belief should be a quality exhibited by all staff. We look for staff who are:

• Approachable & empathic to the needs of students
• Enthusiastic & engaging
• Diplomatic, responsible & motivated
• Flexible within the summer school environment

We expect all SBC staff to be able to communicate effectively with our students, using an appropriate level of language to suit the group. SBC staff must demonstrate patience, empathy and an emotional awareness towards students both individually and in within a group setting. We expect all staff to take control of students and to manage discipline and behavioural issues in a firm, positive and constructive manner.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED Essential

• TEFLQ status (I.e. Delta, Trinity Diploma, MA TESOL or accredited equivalent)
• A first degree
• Experience in Academic Management
• Strong communication skills, ability to work under pressure, flexibility
• Strong organisational skills
• Experience in residential international summer schools

Desirable

• Experience of residential international summer schools
• Experience of the UK boarding environment
• Experience of working within the education sector
• Experience of residential international boarding

Founded in 2008, Summer Boarding Courses have united students from around the world through education. Delivering award-winning, future-focused courses that strike the perfect balance between academic and social enrichment.

Our courses unlock potential and ignite a spark for long-term success. Our residential summer courses take place at some of the UK's top boarding schools and university college campuses, including Eton College, Oxford University Colleges and Headington School. We carefully select our campuses to ensure that they provide the perfect environment for our students to live and study. Over 15,800 students from 152 nationalities have been welcomed to study with us to date. Whether it's preparing for future studies, developing 21st-century skills or building confidence, the knowledge gained on an SBC course allows students to go forward and apply what they have learnt to other areas of their education and beyond; giving them the necessary skills to achieve their future goals. The EL Gazette publishes a league table based on British Council inspections, and SBC have been ranked Number 1 from 2018 to 2023. We are very proud of this achievement and will continue to grow and develop our courses to offer students extraordinary experiences. SBC is the only multi-campus summer school provider in the UK to have achieved a perfect 15/15 areas of strength by the British Council. A true hallmark of educational quality.

Remuneration: The salary for the Director of Studies role is £1010 per week (subject to tax and national insurance), paid weekly in arrears (for the avoidance of doubt this sum includes a holiday allowance at 12.07% of basic pay in the sum of £108.78), plus accommodation at the summer site.