PRAGUE, CZECH REPUBLIC Teacher of History What we seek: The English College in Prague is seeking to appoint an excellent Teacher of History to join an enthusiastic and motivated team. This is an exciting opportunity for a dynamic and enthusiastic teacher to teach across the age and ability range. We are looking for a candidate who is devoted to the study of History and who is not afraid to trial new and innovative techniques to improve students’ learning and enable them to achieve their potential. Candidates must be willing to contribute to wider school activities. An appointee without IB experience would be expected to undertake IB training, at the School’s expense, either before arriving at the College or in their first year of teaching the course. Job Specification Overview We are looking for someone who will: Teach KS3 and KS4 level History throughout lower school Be flexible and willing to teach the Czech national requirements in History from ancient times through to the Modern 20th Century History Be willing to teach IB at all levels Demonstrate a willingness to participate in and help organize school trips Offer focused learning support in History Be capable of working both independently, and as part of a team to ensure excellent practice 1 Be capable of helping to create new syllabi Participate in wider school activities – clubs etc. Show a passion for teaching History and a commitment to continued professional and personal development. Person Specification We are looking for someone with: A passion for educating, inspiring and understanding children A love of History and a commitment to continuing to learn A fascination with the many varied and different methods of challenging and inspiring children both inside the classroom and outside A desire to participate actively in the life of a busy and ambitious school A belief that every child can succeed beyond her/his expectations A sense of adventure as well as a sense of humour An interest in the Czech Republic and in Central Europe, its peoples, its culture and languages Who we are: The English College in Prague was founded in 1994 in the wake of the Velvet Revolution as a selective independent day school, offering a British-style Grammar School education to 360 boys and girls aged 13-19. It is a member of the HMC but also part of the Czech school system and is non-profit-making. The College traces its traditions back to the Prague English Grammar School, which existed in Prague from the 1920s but suffered closure under both the Nazis and the Communists. It seeks to maintain the traditions and rigour of an English Grammar School within the Czech educational framework and its governors are drawn from both the UK and the Czech Republic, symbolized by its two patrons – Karel Schwarzenberg and HRH the Prince of Wales. The founding Czech patron of The English College until his death in 2011 was former president, Vaclav Havel. Around 70% of its students are Czech and 30% are international students from over twenty different countries but the language of instruction is English. Most students leave the College to attend university in the UK, US or the Netherlands; for those applying to Czech universities the most popular choice is the prestigious Charles University. 2 The teaching staff consists of a dynamic mix of recent and more experienced graduates, the majority of whom are native English speakers. The average class size is around 22 in Years 1-4 and between 12 and 18 in Years 5-6. Teachers are expected to teach approximately 27 forty-five-minute periods per week as well as playing an active part in the pastoral and extracurricular life of the School. The College prepares students for IGCSE examinations and for the International Baccalaureate. At the moment, due to the demands of the Czech National Curriculum, there are two different routes through IGCSE, with those following the Czech Programme taking fewer IGCSEs. We are looking at ways of offering a single course of study for all our students (albeit with different choices available). The College has nearly twenty years’ experience of teaching the IB and many of our staff are IB examiners. The College is situated in the developing eastern suburb of Vysočany in Prague 9 and is directly accessible in fifteen minutes by metro from the heart of the inspirational and historic city of Prague. The College currently numbers around 370 students. What we offer: Salary We offer an excellent salary, which will be dependent upon experience, at the discretion of the Headmaster. The English College has its own salary scale. The cost of living in the Czech Republic is considerably less than in the UK; food, drink and accommodation in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe are relatively inexpensive by UK and European standards. For instance, a large two-bedroom apartment within walking distance of the historic centre of the city can be rented for between 15,000-20,000 Czech Crowns a month, including bills: the equivalent of £480-650 per month. Benefits We offer assistance, both practical and financial, for those moving to the Czech Republic and successful candidates will be flown out to Prague wherever possible in the term prior to their employment for an acquaintance visit. We offer reduced school fees for parents of children of the relevant age. We also offer considerable continued practical support for staff 3 to ensure that your life in a different culture is as enjoyable as possible. A particular benefit, which is relatively unusual for schools abroad, is that, following a successful probationary year, we offer permanent contracts. This allows members of staff to qualify for Czech mortgages and other financial opportunities. The College does contribute to a Czech occupational pension scheme and all employees enjoy the generous arrangements of the Czech health and social security system and contributions are recognized for all EU citizens in their home country as well as those states, including the USA & Canada, which enjoy bilateral social security agreements. Further details are available upon request. Guidance on living in Prague is available from our website. How to apply: Email the Headmaster, Simon Marshall, at headmaster@englishcollege.cz with a short covering letter and a full c.v. including a complete career history as well as the names, address and telephone numbers of two referees, at least one of which should be from your current or more recent employer. Applicants selected for interview will be informed within a week of the closing date for application. Applicants who have not heard from the School by this time must assume that, on this occasion, their application has been unsuccessful. Applicants who wish to check on the progress of their applications may telephone or e-mail the Headmaster’s PA, on 00420 283 893 113 or at office@college.cz Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure and References: Successful applicants will be subject to receipt of a satisfactory criminal record check before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings. This post is also subject to receipt of two satisfactory written references one of which must be, where appropriate, from your most recent employer. 4 Closing Date: 28 May Noon (GMT) Interview Dates: Short listed candidates will be invited for a Skype interview if not living within easy reach of Prague between 2-5 June. 5