The older brother is a bright and popular young man, age 15. He sets himself high standards, and consequently puts himself under a lot of pressure to achieve good academic grades and sports performance. He is willing and eager to learn, but sometimes struggles to keep up. His current classroom environment does not offer him the time to ensure that earlier knowledge is secure and, consequently, is now stifling his willingness to ask for help when he doesn’t fully understand things. There are now increasingly significant gaps in his knowledge that need to be addressed.

He is keen to succeed academically, but his confidence has been known to hold him back. He doubts his ability to obtain a good result on the IB course, although his work ethic is excellent and he is clearly capable of succeeding to a high standard in whatever enterprise he undertakes.

The younger brother, age 11, is also a lovely boy who learns best from teachers who clearly define boundaries and who are stern but not strict. He is bright and engaging, but sometimes struggles with his use of English language. This is most likely a result of learning three languages, but it is an area that will require attention before he gets much older. He has been diagnosed with mild ADHD and is on a very low dose of medication for the condition. However, his ADHD is not a serious issue, and with the right management and close academic support, it is hoped that he can come off the medication at some point in the future.

Both boys have a warm demeanour and engaging sense of humour. They both enjoy a wide range of interests and sports and are well travelled. They will be a pleasure for able educators to work with.

This role calls for two tutors who may form a husband-and-wife or boyfriend-and-girlfriend team, or they may be two individuals employed to work together on the boys’ education. The family want to use the time with the Tutors as an opportunity to enjoy a higher quality of family life, which may include an element of travel in their plans for the year.

The Tutors will be responsible for the broad education of the boys. While they will mostly adhere to a timetable, they should be prepared for a degree of flexibility. At this stage, the family don’t know if they will continue with private tuition for the remainder of the boys’ education, if they will return to formal schooling but keep the tutors on in an after-school support role, or if another option may present itself.

Given the need to retain opportunities irrespective of a later decision about academic choices, it will be important for the Tutors to follow a home-schooling path that does not close down any options in terms of either continuing homeschooling for the remainder of high school with the older boy in the US system. For example, while he might be enrolled in an online virtual high school to ensure that he continued to receive credit towards his transcript, he might also be prepared for the IGCSE exams in the British system when he’s reached the requisite standards to get good grades. Such a course need therefore not exclude any one of the three main options (US, UK, IB), while at the same time not overloading the student.

Ultimately, the parents want to raise two well-adjusted, happy boys who have had a good, solid education and the time to follow their own interests, such as learning to play the guitar. The parents are also keen that the boys learn about the family business, and the Tutors should be prepared to help engage both of them by exposing them to a broad range of business skills. Although neither is likely to take an active role in the running of any part of the family’s company, it is important to the parents and the members of the extended family that everyone has a sound understanding of business and is able to understand what is going on even if the day-to-day management is the responsibility of others.

This role requires Tutors who have experience with the American school system (to help ease the transition as the boys work their way through the grades) in addition to experience delivering or supporting the IB. This role is based in Europe, so it is essential that any American candidates for the position already have full rights to domesticity in a European country. A work visa will not be possible to arrange. Tutors with multiple languages, especially German, Italian or French, will also have an advantage.

This is a full time position and, as far as possible, will need to follow a carefully planned timetable. The Tutors should expect to work around forty hours per week with preparation in addition. The Tutors will be entitled to an average of two consecutive days off per week, normally at the weekend, but may need to be flexible regarding the family’s travel plans and the children’s other activities.

Furnished accommodation will be arranged for the Tutors in all locations. This may be an apartment, house, or guesthouse at the Client’s properties. It is likely that the Tutors will need to share the accommodation.

If the Tutors are asked to accompany the Client on any travel, the Client will be responsible for all travel expenses and accommodation arrangements, but not for food or personal telephone usage.

The Tutors will have the use of a car for their local personal use. It is likely that this, like the accommodation, will need to be a shared resource.