There are four children. In January 2015, They will be 18 and in Y13, 16 and in Y11, 13 and in Y9, and 11 and in Y7. The children currently attend their local state school where they are doing well. The schools involved are happy to work with the family and tutors, keeping the children on their registers, 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 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 they are keen surfers.

The children enjoy working with teachers that deserve respect because they are inspirational, knowledgeable and interesting, but people who are also organised, calm, well prepared and who have a sense of humour. Tutors that can think ‘outside the box' and vary their teaching methods to keep lessons interesting would suit well.

More specifically, the oldest is very diligent, hard working, and is keen to pass her A levels with high grades. Like her three siblings she enjoys many sports and is keen to keep improving her Spanish.

The next sibling is top of his class in a number of his subjects and streams at a high level in all of his school lessons. He enjoys most subjects, particularly practical Science. He is passionate about food and cooking in addition to sport and music. It will be important for one or other Tutor to have an excellent level of knowledge in these areas.

The younger sister is a visual learner, arty and fun. She is quiet at school but gregarious at home. She has auditory processing issues and slower comprehension. Adjustments to teaching styles have, so far, provided sufficient compensation to keep her on a par with her peers. The tutoring attention can give her an extra boost. She has to work twice as hard to process the information being given to her, hence she benefits from breaks to absorb the learning and requires attention to keep her focused and fully supported. She particularly enjoys singing and all kinds of performance. She has ability but needs more self-belief and to gain more confidence.

Although still young, the youngest brother is a keen reader and enjoys most subjects. He is perpetually positive and enthusiastic with a natural inquisitiveness to learn. He enjoys many sports, music and being active. He achieved highly in his SATS and is keen to keep at that level of progression.

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 school has given the family consent for their work abroad and will provide the Tutors with accurate descriptions of the material to be covered by each of their respective subject teachers and will liaise accordingly.

The youngest has started secondary school and the quality of his work this academic year will decide his Year 8 set placement. The two middle children have started their GCSEs, and the oldest, her A levels. It is therefore imperative that the Tutors can cover a wide range of subjects. Alongside the core subjects of Maths, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English and RE, it is necessary to know Music, Fashion and Textiles, Art and Film Studies, Spanish, IT, Digital Applications, and be at A level teaching standard in Geography, Media Studies, and Photography. 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 curricula.

The Tutors will need to be able to get many of their resources from the local environment for subjects such as Science and Geography. They will need to have the personal credibility and professionalism to establish a good working relationship with the teachers at home. It is essential that the tutors and schoolteachers share progress, disseminate information (such as changes to programmes of study) and address any questions that arise for each of the children.

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

The successful candidates for this role will need to be upbeat, inspirational 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. Surfing, yoga, Pilates, horse riding, mountain biking, running etc are all available. 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. Although the children's school largely governs the content of the curriculum, the Tutors should use the local environment as a resource wherever possible.

Although the role describes two Tutors and their overlapping skill sets, it is important that between them the full range, from KS3 to the start of KS5 are covered, and that all the subjects and requisite levels are represented. Both Tutors will be responsible for working with all 4 children at differing times. Sometimes two students may work independently with guidance when required or requested. At least one of the Tutors should be fluent or very strong in Spanish and able to support it at GCSE level.

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, 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 Tutors will be entitled to a minimum of two weeks paid vacation per four-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. In the past these periods of paid vacation have been either side of the tutoring time and it is likely that this pattern will continue.

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.

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 is 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 Tutors to have visitors during this 3-month assignment.