All three children are intelligent, well-spoken, personable, gregarious and energetic; they get on well with one another. They lead busy and active lives including sports, music and games. They love to read and they are all learning a musical instrument. Their parents expect high standards of politeness and respectful behaviour.

The eldest girl (11) has found school difficult recently for a number of reasons. Perhaps the most important is that she is no longer academically challenged, is bored, and has become disillusioned by school. This has in turn affected her self-confidence and self-esteem. In addition, she has encountered social difficulties and has become marginalised by a closely-knit and often unpleasant group of girls in her class. She will be entering year 8 - or possibly even year 9, depending on her progress - when she starts school in London, and will need to be prepared for her application test and interview in early 2008. Apart from this exam, the main goal of the tutoring is to rekindle her passion for knowledge and study by offering exciting and demanding activities that give her opportunities to excel.

The middle child (10) is looking forward to a year of exploration and is also excited about starting a new school in London. She enjoys school and has many friends, but has found school in the Cayman Islands rather pedestrian and has been doing the minimum work to get by. The combination of a dull school and minimal effort has resulted in a feeling that she has limited academic potential and she has lost the determination to try her best. She will be entering year 7 in London, and will need to be prepared for her 11+ exams and interviews, like her elder sister.

The youngest (8) has been educated in the Montessori system, since she was 3, and this has encouraged a curiosity and love of learning. Surprisingly, despite this tremendous start, she is not achieving the level of Maths of which she is clearly capable, and her self-confidence and sense of initiative are also less than would be hoped for at this age. In addition, because the Montessori system does not encourage testing, she will need to be taught test techniques including the assimilation and reproduction of foundation knowledge in her appropriate key stage.

There are some formal educational requirements that must be achieved by the two older girls in preparing for their private school entrance exams and interviews. However, this represents a small part of the overall purpose and expectations offered by a year away from school. The tutor(s) must be able to offer an education in its widest sense, drawing on the travel environment as the main teaching resource. It will not be necessary to cover any standard curriculum as long as the skills and knowledge the girls will need when they begin in London are fully covered. The use of educational games and fun activities is strongly encouraged.

The ideal candidate(s) will be able to cover all core subjects at KS2 and KS3 including Maths, English and Science, as well as Geography and History (especially of the Pacific and Europe). The tutor(s) will need to be IT-literate, able to help the girls maintain a website documenting their journey and their work. The tutor(s) should play a musical instrument, speak French or Spanish, and be able to teach beginner’s Latin. It would be helpful if the tutor(s) can scuba-dive and enjoy water sports.

At a personal level, the tutor(s) must be easygoing yet thoroughly professional. The children will thrive in at atmosphere that is patient, fun and firm, and the tutor(s) will need to establish this from the start. Meals will almost always be taken together and it is hoped that the tutor(s) will become part of the family. The client has hired staff before and understands the need to respect boundaries.

Not all the time will be spent at sea. The tutor(s) will be expected to advise on the route regarding worthwhile stopping ports, and to prepare material for excursions and activities at these places of interest. These stopovers may last several days, and may involve disembarking at one location and embarking at another (while the crew move the yacht).

Although the yacht will be have a small professional crew, it is expected that all aboard will be involved in the day-to-day running of the yacht, such as navigation, helm, cooking, preparing the boat for landing and for sea, and other chores.

It is not known at this stage exactly how a standard day might work. The children will probably work together for some of the time, perhaps doing some common project-based work, and separately for some subject or grade-specific work. It is not expected that the tutoring will exceed 40 hours per week on average.

Although the hours spent actually teaching will be commensurate with our standard Terms, the client appreciates that while at sea there is no time off in the normal sense. This will be compensated where possible during stopovers, with additional perks.

The tutor(s) will be on a 12-month contract although the yacht charter will be just 10 months. This will leave the summer following the appointment for the majority of the paid leave. The tutor(s) should also expect to have time off for major public holidays.

It is likely that the tutor(s) will spend around one month with the family prior to leaving for the yacht, either in Cayman Islands or in Canada. This will allow time for getting to know one another and preparing materials and resources for the voyage.

The tutor(s) will be provided with a cabin on the yacht for the duration of their contract. This cabin, although small, will be suitable for a couple. During land-based excursions, the client will provide hotel accommodation as required.

The contract involves considerable travel, and the tutor(s) should not expect to spend more than a few days in any single location. The client will cover all travel expenses for the tutor(s) - this includes all flights, any land-based excursions, and any transport when in port.

The client recognises that time off is affected simply through being unable to disembark while not tutoring. The client has offered to pay for additional flights home, or to other destinations, as part-compensation for this restriction.

NOTE: Joint applicants should register separately and apply separately but each should upload the same (joint) letter of application.