Our summer courses are of four and three weeks’ duration and we ask tutors to be available for briefing two days before the actual start of each course. These days are paid as part of the course. From Sunday 4 July to Thursday 29 July there are two courses running concurrently - an English language course for students from 8 to 18 years of age and a Science course for students from 13 to 17 years of age. Two similar courses run concurrently from Sunday 1 August to Sunday 22 August for students in the same age ranges. In 2009 total student numbers were 235 in July and 250 in August. The projected numbers for 2010 are expected to be approximately 265 on each course. The majority of our students come from Western Europe, though in recent years we have seen a significant rise in the number of students coming from the Far East, Middle East and ex Russian Federation.

The College expects to employ about 25 EFL teachers, 2 Science teachers, 6 PE teachers, 2 Art teachers and 2 Outdoor Education teachers on both the July and August courses. While there will be considerable variety in the work of these different specialists, all summer course tutors are expected to be involved in four main areas:

TEACHING
The main commitment of EFL and Science tutors will be teaching on the main timetable between 9:00 and 15:00. EFL tutors will teach a maximum of 21 45-minute periods a week, although on occasions they may be requested by the Director of Studies to cover for absent colleagues. All our EFL teachers will have a minimum qualification such as the RSA Certificate or PGCE, and most will have previous experience, either on other summer courses or from teaching overseas. Science teachers must have, as a minimum; a good honours degree in a relevant discipline.

We require tutors to put a lot into their lessons, preparation for which can be lengthy. Each course has its own Director of Studies, Assistant Director of Studies and Senior Tutor, who are there to offer guidance and advice. Having an all-year-round EFL department, and with many years’ experience of summer schools, there exists a considerable stock of EFL teaching material in the College. A workroom is set aside in which tutors can prepare lessons and materials, and where much valuable experience and expertise is exchanged between tutors. A photocopier and computers are provided for staff use.

PE and Outdoor Education staff may be asked to teach up to 12 45-minute periods on the main timetable. This will usually be on the Options Programme where students choose a medium through which to improve their English. All PE and Outdoor Education tutors are given one day free of classroom teaching each week and an experienced member of staff will lead the team. Art Teachers will also have some commitment on the main timetable providing Art lessons, usually with the younger students. They do not have to be linguists to encourage students to speak in English with their classmates and perhaps correcting errors such as pronunciation when able to. This slightly more relaxed approach to EFL is often as effective as more formal teaching. Generally students choose 2 options and they are 1 hour 30 minutes each and would be Monday and Thursday or Tuesday and Friday.

SPORTS/SOCIAL
The main commitment of PE and Outdoor Education tutors will be organising sports and activities between 15:00 and 22:30 each weekday and on Sunday afternoons and evenings.  Most of these activities will take place on the college campus, but he Outdoor Education staff will also lead min-bus trips to various locations.  All staff in these two fields will have qualifications and experienc ein teaching youngsters in their respective eisciplines, and many will have additional coaching awards.  All staff are expected to contribute to the sports and/or social programme, and typically an EFL or Science teacher can expect to give up one afternoon or evening each week in order to do so.  Art teachers will be expected to run an Art Club in the afternoons and evenings and on Sunday.  This might attract those students who do not choose it as an option and perhaps are not terribly sporty and enjoy quiet, relaxed curative activities.  We would hope that this runs each day except Saturdays and some kind of rota can be organised.

SUPERVISORY
The teaching staff are divided into four duty teams, one of which is on duty each day. They are responsible for various tasks, such as meal supervision, and dealing with students’ problems. Duty teams also accompany the student body on various full-day and half-day excursions to places such as Shrewsbury, Chester, Alton Towers, Cardiff and London. All members of staff will be involved in accompanying students on two of the major excursions and all should expect to do one Sunday duty during each course.

BOARDING
Virtually all our staff live on campus, and will be allocated a single study bedroom similar to those found in a university or college hall of residence. Each tutor is responsible for the general welfare of a small number of students who live in their immediate vicinity, and will be expected to make an effort to get to know their charges so that they might be the first port of call in the event of problems such as homesickness or bullying. In this connection all tutors will be expected to return to their dormitory area at 22:30 to oversee the bedtime routine. Tutors can be relieved of this duty one evening per week.

It is necessary for us to ask all successful applicants to undergo Child Protection screening which includes checks with past employers and the Criminal Records Bureau. Concord College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. In carrying out their responsibilities in the four areas outlined above, all our staff are expected to behave in a professional manner at all times, and to make the welfare of the students in our care a priority.

REMUNERATION
There is a basic salary, rising by increments to a maximum of eight. These are awarded for an honours degree, a PGCE, each year of full-time EFL teaching, for each summer’s service with Concord and for an RSA certificate in TEFL or equivalent. An RSA TEFL diploma carries a further two increments. We would like to stress that in addition to the salary the College provides full board, which includes accommodation, laundry and three meals a day, and also reimburses all reasonable expenses incurred during the performance of a tutor’s duties. Therefore, living expenses while working at Concord are much lower than at most summer course centres.

We recognise that tutors may need to be away from College during the mid-week period to attend oral examinations, graduation ceremonies, job interviews and so on. It is usually possible to arrange cover for such absences, but leave with pay is only granted to any tutor for one day in any given course including the two briefing days prior to the arrival of students.

GENERAL
You are required to comply with the College’s Health and Safety policy and statutory regulations in force. You are also required to comply with the College’s No-smoking policy.

It is possible that the post of summer course tutor may sound very demanding. It is hard work, but it is also very rewarding both professionally and socially, and we have many tutors applying to us year after year. Teaching on a summer course is an enriching experience, which many tutors like to mention on future curriculum vitae and, in connection with this, the College is happy to provide references to prospective employers or university/college departments.

John Leighton
Director of Summer Courses