Join to apply for the Director of Studies (DOS) role at St Andrew's College Language Schools
Locations: Glasgow, Paisley, Edinburgh, Ayr, Stirling, London, Chatham (Kent), Canterbury, Bognor Regis (West Sussex), Brighton, Colchester, Gloucester and Keele.
Salary: £786.74–£894.32 per week (including holiday pay). Accommodation included. Duration: Summer 2025. Reports to: Senior Management Team.
Job Overview
The Director of Studies is responsible for the implementation and administration of all aspects of the academic programme, including the management of the teaching team and their performance. This management position demands a demanding workload over a 42‑hour working week, with working days spread across 5 or 6 days and including a Saturday at 6‑day campuses.
Essential Requirements
* Educated to degree level (Level 6) or higher.
* Cambridge DELTA or Trinity College London, Dip TESOL or PGCE TEFL/TESOL or a taught postgraduate course (MA equivalent) in TEFL/TESOL, including at least 6 hours of supervised teaching practice (TEFLQ Status).
* At least 3 years of full‑time EFL experience.
* Awareness of the responsibilities of working with students under 18.
* Computer literacy and ability to handle large volumes of data.
* Adaptability to change.
Desirable Requirements
* Excellent communication skills, written and spoken.
* More than 3 years’ full‑time EFL experience.
* Proven competence in academic leadership.
* Proven people‑management skills.
* Proven competence in administration.
* Smart personal appearance.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Welfare, Safeguarding and Health & Safety
* Read and fully understand the staff handbook and stay conversant with our welfare and protection policies.
* Undergo induction to at least level 2 safeguarding.
* Implement and monitor Health & Safety policies.
* Identify the First‑Aid officers and follow the First‑Aid policies.
* Implement the Emergency Action Plan.
* Follow Fire Safety regulations.
* Adhere to St Andrew’s College Language Schools’ rules and regulations and those of the specific campus.
* Maintain records of welfare, safeguarding and Health & Safety issues, solutions and outcomes.
The Student Experience
* Use Google Drive to record, organise and manage the academic programme, including classing, allocation of classes and classrooms, creation of class lists, registers and communication with teachers and Senior Management Team.
* Use the Master Spreadsheet to record and organise student data, plan and process intakes.
Placement Tests
* Liaise with Centre Manager regarding location, format (online or paper) and welcome speeches.
* Collate pre‑arrival test results to set up level tests and holding classes.
* Provide a clear guide to staff on how to deliver placement tests.
* Organise professional monitoring and efficient marking of placement tests.
* Teach temporary test classes while placement tests are marked.
* Clarify the holistic testing process with Group Leaders and explain how results inform classing decisions.
Classing Students
* Create class lists and registers of no more than 18 students based on placement test results.
* Ensure students are informed of their class placement promptly.
* Liaise with Group Leaders to approve class lists.
* Maintain accurate daily class lists and classroom registers.
* Monitor online class attendance during the first ten minutes per guidelines.
* Follow up on concerns regarding online class registers and lesson logs.
* Present up‑to‑date teaching and learning signage/information on campus.
Student Certificates
* Organise, advertise and lead the Student Certificate/Graduation ceremony as directed.
* Ensure accurate name checks before printing certificates.
* Print and distribute certificates; send PDF backups to Group Leaders/agents if required.
* Return students’ books.
Student Records
* Complete required documentation and proper student records.
* Manage Risk Assessment Forms for out‑of‑class lessons.
* Handle any additional paperwork due to changing circumstances.
Management of Teaching and Learning Team
* Teach when necessary (teacher absence, sickness, insufficient student numbers).
* Represent St Andrew’s College Language Schools positively in all interactions with clients, staff and host centre.
Inductions
* Lead the Academic Staff Induction Day, typically one or two days prior to student arrival, fully inducting any new teaching staff joining during the contract.
Meetings and Working Environment
* Run and record staff meetings and optional sessions for teachers.
* Daily update meetings.
* Weekly team feedback meetings.
* Individual meetings for appraisal as required.
* Facilitate weekly teacher development workshops and meetings.
* Maintain a functional teacher room/office environment.
* Clearly communicate essential information with the teaching team and other staff.
* Keep resources organised and inventoried per company guidelines.
* Provide a safe, hospitable and inclusive environment for staff.
* Monitor and manage all academic resources and equipment.
* Control distribution, organisation and stock‑taking of students’ and teachers’ books.
* Pack and return all stock and equipment at the end of contract/summer term.
Maintaining Staff Records
* Maintain accurate staff records following company guidelines.
* Create accurate, up‑to‑date staff rotas/timetables.
* Update staff personnel files as requested, maintaining confidentiality.
* Log weekly staff hour records accurately.
* Log and maintain summaries of problems, solutions and outcomes.
Teachers’ Duties and Responsibilities
* Manage the academic team and implement the Academic Programme delivery per company guidelines.
* Ensure high teaching standards; support teachers in planning, preparing and delivering lessons appropriate to learners’ needs, interests and cultures.
* Be conversant with Senior Teacher and Teachers’ job descriptions, leading and managing accordingly.
* Foster a safe and positive atmosphere for students and colleagues.
* Show initiative, take responsibility and set a good example for students inside and outside the classroom.
* Ensure corridor safety and chaperone classes to venues.
* Integrate new students and welcome them into classes.
* Try new approaches in lessons and utilise available resources.
* Manage students’ books and essential materials supplied by the college.
* Share experience and knowledge with teaching colleagues.
* Include independent learning strategies inside and outside the classroom.
* Deliver student‑centred lessons with emphasis on oral communication.
* Set clear learning aims and ensure students understand them.
* Ensure students record learning achievements in their books.
* Follow company guidelines on board work.
Disclosure Checks
In accordance with British Council accreditation criterion S4, a Disclosure check (PVG from Disclosure Scotland or ‘Enhanced’ from DBS in England) must be dated within three months from the employment start date. If overseas work exceeds three months, an equivalent ‘police check’ from that country is required. Disclosure checks paid through the employer cost £18 to £70 and may be deducted from salary. Disclosure must be completed before employment start; pending checks will require acceptance of safeguarding and recruitment policy.
Seniority Level
Director
Employment Type
Full‑time
Job Function
Education and Training – Primary and Secondary Education
#J-18808-Ljbffr