Easter Director of Studies

Summer Boarding Courses; Folkestone and Hythe District; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational organization based in Folkestone seeks a Director of Studies to implement and monitor the Summer Academic Programme. The role includes leading academic staff, organizing classes, and ensuring compliance with safety standards. The ideal candidate must possess TEFLQ status and have substantial experience in Academic Management. This position offers a competitive salary of £1,010 per week, including accommodation on site, and the opportunity to impact the educational journeys of international students.

Benefits

Paid training prior to student arrival

Accommodation provided

Staff Wellbeing Initiative

Access to Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Experience in Academic Management.
• Experience in residential international summer schools.
• Ability to support and manage a team of teachers.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for implementing and monitoring the Academic Programme.
• Lead the summer school academic team, conducting appraisals.
• Oversee the performance of the academic programme and ensure compliance.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Strong organisational skills

Ability to work under pressure

Flexibility

Teaching skills

Education

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

A first degree

Job description

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.

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 our safeguarding duties.

Staff Qualities

• Approachable & empathic to the needs of students


• Enthusiastic & engaging


• Diplomatic, responsible & motivated


• Flexible within the summer school environment

Experience required

• 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

Location

The Site Located just under an hour from London by train, Folkestone is a stunning coastal town renowned for its vibrant arts scene. Since 2002, Earlscliffe has welcomed young people from around the globe to its courses, offering the opportunity to learn English in Kent, famously known as the "Garden of England", while fostering cultural exchange and understanding. Founded in 2008, Summer Boarding Courses have united students from across 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. Situated in Folkestone's historic West End, Earlscliffe boasts an open campus featuring a blend of charming traditional buildings and modern, newly refurbished boarding houses and classrooms. The campus is ideally located within a five‑minute walk of the town's picturesque pebble beaches. At Earlscliffe, our courses balance rigorous academic study, engaging activities, and enriching experiences. As a single‑site school, we ensure exceptional quality by maintaining complete control over every aspect of the programmes we deliver. With a curriculum rooted in 21st‑century skills‑collaboration, critical thinking, communication, and creativity‑our students are inspired and challenged by course content tailored to their generation's goals and global perspectives.

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

Additional Role Specific Support

• Paid attendance to pre‑course Management Training

Remuneration

The salary for the Director of Studies role is £1,010 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 site.