Contract Dates - 25/06/2026 to 21/07/2026
The Role
The Summer School Director of Studies manages the Academic Programme, ensuring its smooth operation throughout the summer. They oversee class organisation, teacher support, and lesson delivery, while creating a positive, safe environment for students. Strong leadership, communication, organisational, and administrative skills are essential, as well as experience working with young people in a dynamic setting.
Responsible To: The Summer Course Leader and the SBC Academic Management Team in Head Office
The Site
SBC at Eton College offers international students aged 12-16 the unique opportunity to study at one of the world’s most prestigious schools. Founded in 1440 by King Henry VI, Eton College has a rich legacy, having educated 20 British Prime Ministers, along with countless authors, scientists, actors, Olympians, and explorers. The historic campus provides a truly inspiring environment, where students can experience academic excellence and immerse themselves in a setting that has shaped generations of leaders and visionaries.
Ways we support our Directors of Studies:
- We will cover the full cost of a new DBS (if required) for your first contract working with SBC. We encourage all staff to sign up for the Update Service
- Extensive, paid, on-site training prior to student arrival
- 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
- Paid attendance to pre-course Management Training
Remuneration: The salary for the Director of Studies role is £1010 per week (subject to tax and national insurance), paid weekly in arrears (for the avoidance of doubt this sum includes a holiday allowance at 12.07% of basic pay in the sum of £108.78), plus accommodation at the summer site.
Main Duties:
Academic Programme Delivery
- Take overall responsibility for implementing and monitoring the performance of the Academic Programme.
- Organise the students into classes and inform both students and teachers of their classes and levels.
- Keep clear and accurate records of class attendance and work covered.
- Organise all aspects of the weekly academic 'Time to Shine' ceremony following the procedural notes and guidance given by the SBC Head Office Academic Management Team.
- Ensure reports and leavers’ certificates are produced on time.
- Be the point of contact for SBC Head Office regarding the Academic Programme.
- Provide feedback on the SBC syllabus and academic processes at the end of the summer.
Team Management
- Lead the summer school academic team, holding daily meetings and being the point of contact for EFL Teachers and Subject Teachers regarding the academic programme.
- Support, manage, and guide teachers whilst carrying out lesson observations, observation feedback, and CPD workshops/idea sessions.
- Teach when necessary to provide cover for absent teachers.
- Be responsible for pre-arrival academic setup and effectively induct teachers at the beginning of the summer school.
- Conduct appraisals, address performance issues and provide ongoing support with input from the Course Leader and Head Office.
Resources, Facilities, Safety & Compliance
- Oversee procurement, storage, distribution, and maintenance of all academic programme stock, ensuring compliance with financial and quality guidelines.
- Set up the Teachers’ Preparation room with appropriate signage and maintain it as a functioning workspace.
- Ensure classrooms and other academic programme spaces are welcoming, clean, organised, and meet safety requirements
- Ensure safe delivery of the academic programme by following safety protocols, conducting risk assessments, and ensuring compliance with safeguarding and student supervision policies.
Safeguarding Duties
- Be committed to the safeguarding and welfare of students in your care
- Complete online safeguarding training and attend on-site safeguarding training during induction week
- To read and understand SBC’s Safeguarding Policy, Staff Handbook, Operations Policy Handbook and Part 1 of Keeping Children Safe in Education (including annexes A & B)
- To be alert to the signs of abuse and neglect, and report any concerns to the DSO immediately (including low level concerns)
- To know what to do if a student tells a member of staff they are being abused, exploited or neglected
- To help students understand how to keep themselves safe and manage risk; earning their trust while maintaining professional boundaries
Please see the attached Job description for a more complete list of the duties associated with this Management 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.
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
Essential
- TEFLQ status (I.e. Delta, Trinity Diploma, MA TESOL or accredited equivalent)
- A first degree
- Experience in Academic Management
- Strong communication skills, ability to work under pressure, flexibility
- Strong organisational skills
- Experience in residential international summer schools
Desirable
- Experience of residential international summer schools
- Experience of the UK boarding environment
- Experience of working within the education sector
- Experience of residential international boarding
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.
