The Tutor is required to fill a Director of Studies role on a training programme that runs alongside and within an established, high quality, traditional Chinese secondary school. The programme is designed to provide both academic and cultural training for select groups of students who plan to complete their post-16 studies at top British boarding schools. This exciting new programme will run in parallel with the education offered by an existing school, sharing some of its resources and tutoring its pupils in classes no bigger than twenty.

The aim of the programme is to aid students who intend to make applications to British schools for their A level studies. Academically there is little to worry about, although there is the need to ensure that the Chinese children learn about the British methodologies and that they are familiar with the English level required. This English requirement extends from the oral skills required for interview, to those needed for critical reading and writing — some of these skills are simply not taught within the Chinese school culture. Once the students have been accepted to their schools, these ‘softer’ skills will ensure that the students are well prepared to make the best possible use of their time at these excellent institutions.

The DoS will be required to work an average of five days a week, from 8am to 8pm. The Tutor should expect two consecutive days off per week, though these may not be on Saturdays and Sundays.

The DoS Tutor has a mainly administrative role with a low teaching load. He or she will be required to timetable lessons, manage the curriculum and fill in any teaching gaps where necessary. He or she will work closely with another DoS (who has experience working in the Chinese market and can communicate with the parents, and whose role will be both selling the course and managing parental expectations.)

The DoS Tutor must be organised, efficient, and have an excellent eye for detail. He or she must be able to communicate their ideas and opinions effectively, and should be sensitive to the cultural differences and hierarchies that operate in Chinese schools and professional environments. The DoS Tutor will ideally have some experience in management positions.

Although the students will be taking IGCSE courses in Maths, English, Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Economics, there are no plans for these to be examined. The role is less about the acquisition of qualifications and more about the acquisition of the skills required to excel in an environment in which most of the other students have come from a more Western educational setting. Skills such as collaboration, critical appreciation of text, and oral presentation are just not part of the Chinese educational culture and need to be instilled through these adjunct courses.

When teaching, the DoS Tutor is required to deliver the IGCSE curriculum for a range of subjects, including Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Economics and English. The courses will not be examined, so there is no need for intensive exam prep and revision. Only the content and the softer skills of dialogue, debate, presentation, critical thinking, writing and improved English are the sought-after outcomes. These skills include, but are not limited to: -improving the students’ English language skills; -helping the students learn to write well structured, well argued essays; -teaching the students how to critique articles and sources; -developing the students group work; -refining presentation techniques.

On a cultural level, the Tutor will also be required to: -prepare the students for academic interviews; -assist with the cultural transition from an Eastern to a Western society

The Tutor is required to have an exceptional education background, from a good private prep school, through secondary institutions such as Eton, St Paul’s, Westminster, Cheltenham Ladies College, Benenden etc. before reading science at either Oxford or Cambridge University, or a Russell Group university. The Tutor must be a qualified teacher, with at least three years professional experience. It would be advantageous if he or she has prior experience teaching the Asian market in any context. EFL or international experience would also useful.

The ideal candidate will have a wide range of interests in addition to a love of science, and should be passionate about their role in the continuing education of the students. They should be able to inspire and enthuse the students while utilising their teaching techniques in order to best communicate with the students.

This role is best suited to someone who has a strong spirit of adventure and is unfazed by new cultures. They should be happy to take advantage of their new location, embracing the opportunities that are presented to them by perhaps learning the local language or a local instrument. They should be as excited to immerse themselves in the region and its history as they are enthused by their role.

This is a full time position. The Tutor must be able to respond flexibly to the programme’s requirements in terms of availability and working time. The Tutor should expect to be working as needed during the hours of operation of the course, and as needed around the edges, as befits the executive-level compensation rate.

The Tutor will be entitled to 45 days leave per annum; this should be taken in accordance with the Chinese academic calendar and holidays. For example, the Tutor should expect to be off for the whole of February when it is the Chinese New Year break.

Fully furnished and pleasant accommodation with all modern conveniences including high speed Internet will be arranged and provided by the Client. The residence will be within walking distance of the school.

The Client will not be providing a car.

A full working visa will be provided for the Tutor once they have passed their probation period on the programme.

Instead of the travel provisions set out in clause 3.32 of the Terms, there will be one (instead of two) included additional trips every twelve months in addition to the first outward and final return.

Any Tutors with Taiwanese stamps in their current passport will not be accepted for this role. Candidates who have such stamps but who get a new passport without are eligible to apply.

Although it is obvious that local laws should be followed on all international postings, it is especially the case in this position. Our Client has asked that this be reiterated at this stage so that there can be no misunderstandings later.

The successful applicant for this role will be a non-smoker, who leads a healthy lifestyle and takes regular exercise. This position would suit a man or woman. Tutors with respiratory conditions must be aware that the air quality in Beijing will likely have an impact on their well-being.