Contract Dates 03/07/2026 - 10/08/2026
The Role
EFL teachers are at the heart of what we do, delivering high-quality, inclusive lessons in a multicultural setting. They are instrumental in helping students become more confident, and equipped with 21st-century communication skills. Teachers promote a culture of respect and understanding and they encourage our students to love learning through fun and engaging lessons. At SBC, teachers play a huge role in enriching our students' experience, making their time with us truly unforgettable.
The Subject
The English Adventurers Programme is a two-week course for students at all levels, from A1 to C1, designed to build confidence and practical skills in English. Teachers guide students through interactive lessons, collaborative projects, roleplay, and storytelling, helping them develop fluency, accuracy, and effective communication. Learning extends beyond the classroom with excursions and fieldwork that provide authentic opportunities to practise English in real-world settings. Through their guidance, teachers inspire students to strengthen their command of the language, fostering the confidence to use English successfully in academic contexts, international exams, and everyday conversation.
Responsible To: The Director of Studies
The Site
Headington Oxford International Summer School is located in the leafy suburb of Headington in Oxford, yet it is only a mile from the very centre of the historic town. Year-round, Headington operates as an all-girls school educating around 1,000 students from 30 different nationalities. This international element means that the host school is perfectly geared toward providing a welcoming and exciting atmosphere for summer school students. The facilities are excellent, with newly decorated bright accommodation for students and staff. The school is for students aged 13-16 and the capacity is approximately 200 students a week.
Ways we support our Teachers:
- Fully paid DBS check
- Extensive, paid, on-site training prior to student arrival
- All meals and accommodation included
- CPD and Appraisals
- Staff Wellbeing Initiative
- Access to Employee Assist Programme (EAP)
- Continual support for all staff from the Head Office Team, both on the ground and via phone/email
- Online safeguarding and prevent training
- Professional, fun and supportive environment
Additional Role Specific Support
- Allocated planning and preparation sessions
- CPD sessions and workshops with Director of Studies
- Observations with feedback and Action Points
Remuneration: You will be paid a gross amount of £815 per week, paid weekly in arrears and subject to statutory deductions. This amount includes holiday pay at 12.07% of your basic weekly pay, where your basic weekly pay is £727.22, and the holiday pay element totals £87.78.
Working Hours: A normal working week for Teachers will consist of up to 45 hours per week over six working days.
All staff will receive one full day off per week.
Main Duties:
General Responsibilities:
- Prioritise the safeguarding and well-being of students in your care.
- Follow all Health and Safety guidelines and risk assessments.
- Demonstrate flexibility, as is often required in residential roles.
- Help ensure that the students do not breach the rules of the school
- Interact with students in a manner that's both friendly and professional.
- Assist at any time, whether on duty or not, in an emergency situation
- Share reflections about your experiences over the summer.
- Offer support during meal and break times, and assist with student sign-ins when needed.
- Help with student airport transfers, ensuring smooth arrivals and departures.
- Teaching Duties:
- Acquaint yourself with the SBC syllabus, materials, and resources during the induction period.
- Deliver lessons using the SBC syllabus and suitable materials.
- Cultivate a student-centred learning environment that promotes 21st-century skills.
- Set assignments as guided by the SBC syllabus.
- Cater to individual needs, ensuring students reap the full benefits of their course.
- Regularly review students' work, mark assignments thoughtfully, and provide constructive feedback.
- Handle administrative tasks like maintaining class lists, recording work, registering students, and preparing certificates and reports.
- Ensure a positive classroom atmosphere and encourage all students to participate.
- Attend morning meetings with the Director of Studies and other sessions as requested by summer school management.
- Join CPD (Continued Professional Development) workshops.
- Plan for lesson observations, reflect upon them, and attend feedback sessions with the Director of Studies to discuss potential areas of improvement.
Please see the attached Job description for a more complete list of the duties associated with the EFL Teacher role.
SBC PERSON SPECIFICATION
All members of staff employed by SBC will be expected to bring certain key qualities to the operation. There must be a professional interest in working with young people and particularly international children. Safety and welfare of the students is of paramount importance at SBC and a practical enforcing of this belief should be a quality exhibited by all staff.
We look for staff who are:
- Approachable & empathic to the needs of students
- Enthusiastic & engaging
- Diplomatic, responsible & motivated
- Flexible within the summer school environment
We expect all SBC staff to be able to communicate effectively with our students, using an appropriate level of language to suit the group. SBC staff must demonstrate patience, empathy and an emotional awareness towards students both individually and in within a group setting. We expect all staff to take control of students and to manage discipline and behavioural issues in a firm, positive and constructive manner.
Essential
- A completed or pending completion undergraduate degree in a related academic subject
- CELTA, Trinity Certificate, or PGCE
- Experience and genuine enjoyment of working with children in a professional capacity
- Strong communication skills, ability to work under pressure, flexibility
- An empathic manner and positive manner
- Ability to proactively engage with young people
Desirable
- Experience of the UK boarding environment
- Experience teaching EFL in an international environment
- Strong organisational skills
Founded in 2008, Summer Boarding Courses have united students from around the world through education. Delivering award-winning, future-focused courses that strike the perfect balance between academic and social enrichment.
Our courses unlock potential and ignite a spark for long-term success.
Our residential summer courses take place at some of the UK’s top boarding schools and university college campuses, including Eton College, Oxford University Colleges and Headington School. We carefully select our campuses to ensure that they provide the perfect environment for our students to live and study.
Over 15,800 students from 152 nationalities have been welcomed to study with us to date.
Whether it’s preparing for future studies, developing 21st–century skills or building confidence, the knowledge gained on an SBC course allows students to go forward and apply what they have learnt to other areas of their education and beyond; giving them the necessary skills to achieve their future goals.
The EL Gazette publishes a league table based on British Council inspections, and SBC have been ranked Number 1 from 2018 to 2023. We are very proud of this achievement and will continue to grow and develop our courses to offer students extraordinary experiences.
SBC is the only multi-campus summer school provider in the UK to have achieved a perfect 15/15 areas of strength by the British Council. A true hallmark of educational quality.
TO APPLY
We want to make sure we do all we can to set candidates up for success in this process. If you require any adjustments to help you at interview and/or you have any questions at all, please contact us at: [email protected]
Please note, as this post involves direct contact with vulnerable children, it is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. However, amendments to the Exceptions Order 1975 (2013 and 2020) provide that certain spent convictions and cautions are 'protected'. These are not subject to disclosure to employers and cannot be taken into account.
SHOULD YOU BE SUCCESSFUL
- Any gaps in your CV will be enquired about and must be explained satisfactorily
- You will have to prove your Right to Work in the UK
- You will provide the details of two recent and relevant referees who we will contact and specifically ask about your suitability to work with children and any concerns.
- You will be required to undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS), and equivalent if you live, or have lived, outside of the UK
- You will be asked to state that you have no known reason why you cannot work with children
- Official identification and certificates will be required for our records
Please be aware that SBC may conduct online searches for shortlisted candidates as part of our legal duty to meet out safeguarding duties.
SBC SAFEGUARDING STATEMENT
Summer Boarding Courses is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We have a comprehensive Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy and procedures in place which all employees, volunteers and contractors are expected to adhere to.
SBC EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSIVITY STATEMENT
We operate a policy of equal opportunities and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of sex, marital status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic origin or disability.
