Director of Studies

Contract Dates

02/07/2026 - 11/08/2026

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

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.

• 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

• 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 % of basic pay in the sum of £108.78), plus accommodation at the summer site.

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.

• 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.

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…