Director of Studies

Summer Boarding Courses; Oxford; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational provider in the UK seeks a Summer School Director of Studies to oversee academic operations at the prestigious University of Oxford. The role entails managing class organisation, supporting teachers, and ensuring a safe, engaging environment for students. Ideal candidates will possess TEFLQ status and experience in academic management. The position offers a competitive salary of £1010 per week along with accommodation during the summer programme.

Benefits

Accommodation provided

Paid on-site training

Staff wellbeing initiative

Qualifications

• Experience in academic management and residential international summer schools.
• Ability to work under pressure and maintain flexibility.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Academic Programme and ensure its smooth operation.
• Organise class structures and monitor student attendance.
• Facilitate the 'Time to Shine' ceremony and produce certificates.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Organisational skills

Leadership

Empathy

Flexibility

Education

TEFLQ status (e.g. Delta, Trinity Diploma, MA TESOL)

A 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.

Reporting

Responsible to: The Summer Course Leader and the SBC Academic Management Team in Head Office.

Site Overview

The site attracts ambitious students wishing to prepare for future success and to gain an authentic taste of studying at the prestigious University of Oxford. SBC Oxford College 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 Oxford, take part in college events, wellbeing activities and the greatly enjoyed excursion to London. SBC at Oxford College is based over several Oxford Colleges. Students on the college programme are 15‑17 and the capacity is 120 students over both sites each week.

Support for 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 assistance programme (EAP).
• Continual support for all staff from the Head Office Team, both on the ground and via phone/email.
• Online safeguarding and prevention training.
• Professional, fun and supportive environment for academic programme delivery.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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 set‑up 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.

Candidate Information

You will provide the details of two recent and relevant referees whom 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 our safeguarding duties.

Key Qualities

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

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.

Experience 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.

About SBC

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

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