There are four children. In January 2013, they will be 16 in Y11, 14 in Y9, 11 in Y7, and 9 in Y5. The children currently attend their local state schools where they are doing well. The two schools involved have both permitted this break while the children remain on roll as long as they maintain their academic progress and reintegrate smoothly into the school on their return for the summer term.

All four children are extremely curious and engaging with a wide range of interests and talents. Between them they play several instruments including piano, guitar, drums, and saxophone. The whole family leads a sporty and physically active lifestyle, and are keen surfers and skiers.

The children enjoy working with teachers that deserve respect because they are knowledgeable and interesting, but people who are also organised, calm, and who have a sense of humour. More specifically, the eldest girl is diligent and hard working, and is keen to do well at school. She loves gymnastics and running and is keen to improve her Spanish. Her 14 y/o brother is top of his class and is keen to learn more at school. He enjoys most subjects, particularly practical Science. It will be important for one or other Tutor to have an excellent level of knowledge in this area so that he or she can answer all of his questions. The 11 y/o girl is a visual learner, arty, and fun. She is quiet at school but gregarious at home, and while there is clearly some minor dyslexia, adjustments to teaching styles have, so far, provided sufficient compensation to keep her on a par with her peers. She can be easily distracted and struggles with Literacy, and it will be important for the Tutors to pay special attention to this. She particularly enjoys drama, dancing, singing and all kinds of performance but she could do with more self-belief. Although still young, the 9 y/o boy is a keen reader and enjoys most subjects.

The Tutor is one of two Tutors being sought for this role. He or she will work with all four children five days a week on average, typically Monday-Friday, to maintain their progress relative to their peers while the family are in Costa Rica. The children’s schools have both given the family consent to be away for three months of each year and have agreed to provide the Tutors with accurate descriptions of the material to be covered by each of their respective subject teachers. This means that, between them, the Tutors will need to be well-versed with appropriate learning targets across all the required key stages and subjects from the school curriculum.

While the younger two children are not yet at a critical academic stage, the 14 y/o has important assessments in Maths and Sciences coming up, and the 16 y/o is half way through her GCSEs. It is therefore imperative that the Tutors can support a wide range of subjects in a home-school. Alongside the core subjects of Maths, Double Science and English, the 16 y/o has opted for Geography, Spanish, Art, and Graphic Products. This will mean that not only will the Tutors need to be able to get many of their resources from the local environment for such subjects such as Science and Geography, but that they will need to have the personal credibility to establish a good working relationship with her teachers at home. To facilitate strong communication and regular updates between Tutors and the schools, Tutors International will provide an online platform for the Tutors and the teachers at school, for all children, to share progress, disseminate information (such as changes to programmes of study) and address any questions that arise.

A private schoolroom with two classrooms (one open air) is provided.

The successful candidates for this role will need to be upbeat and have plenty of energy. Ideally they will be highly competent with Spanish, enjoy a wide range of beach and water sports, play musical instruments or sing, be creative and imaginative. Teaching in the inspirational environment of the largely undeveloped Pacific coast of Costa Rica offers able teachers unparalleled opportunities to illuminate the standard curriculum and enhance the learning experience in ways that should make this experience for all four children something special that they reflect on fondly and look forward to with excitement.

This is the second year the family will have spent this time away. Lessons learned from the first time are important.

Although the role describes two Tutors and their overlapping skills sets, it is important for one of the candidates to be a specialist primary school teacher able to support several secondary subjects, while the other is an experienced secondary school teacher happy and able to work with the younger children. Another lesson learned is that it is essential that the secondary teacher is comfortable teaching English, maths and science to GCSE among their teaching subjects, and is fluent or very capable with Spanish. The primary school teacher must be able to contribute to the maths and science at GCSE.

The Tutors will need to be well organised, flexible and adaptable. Although the family will try to maintain a routine there may be occasion where the surf is particularly good one morning, or a volcano is worth a visit, and the decision is made to adjust plans at short notice. It is important to roll with these occasional interruptions, perhaps even to join in with the family, and certainly not to complain. Equally important is the need to remember that the role is based in a fairly remote location which, while indescribably beautiful, can make technology unreliable. There will be times when the printer breaks, or there’s a power cut, or the Internet goes down… The Tutors need to be able to take these events in their stride and make allowance for them rather than getting frustrated.

Clearly, this role requires resourceful, intelligent and knowledgeable educators who are sensitive to the unusual circumstances of the position, relaxed and easygoing with a sunny disposition on the one hand while firm, encouraging and directed on the other. It is also important that the Tutors remember that although the working environment is relaxed compared to formal schooling in England it is essential they remain professional at all times, and respectful of the family’s privacy.

The Tutors should expect to work an average of about 30 hours a week, five days a week. Preparation time is in addition to this. The Tutor will be entitled to a minimum of two weeks paid vacation per 3-month assignment, taken at times convenient to the Client, as per the Terms. The Tutors should not expect to be able to have time off at the same time.

The Client will provide separate, furnished accommodation with Internet for the Tutors, nearby the family home and schoolroom. This accommodation is suitable for a man or woman for either role. The Client will be responsible for all bills on this property with the exception of any private phone calls.

The Tutors are responsible for their own meals. If hotel accommodation is required when the 16 y/o takes her controlled assessments, the Client will be responsible for the Tutor’s out of pocket expenses.

The Client will be responsible only for the first outward and final return journey (or equivalent cost) from London for each 3-month assignment, and for internal travel in Costa Rica as required for their work.

For tutor-related purposes a car will be made available to the Tutors. The rest of the time bicycles are the best forms of personal transport, and these will be provided for the Tutors. For longer journeys to nearby cities for example, there is a reliable bus service, taxis, or a short plane flight.

It is essential that the Tutors are non-smokers, fit and physically active, lead a healthy lifestyle, and in so doing set a good example.

The family are based in a rural and largely undeveloped part of Costa Rica. Although it is a long journey by road to the nearest conurbation, it is just 40 minutes drive to the local airport and an inexpensive 25-minute flight to San José.

The Tutors will be responsible for arranging and financing their own health, possessions, and travel insurance.

It will not normally be appropriate for the Tutor to have visitors during this 3-month assignment.