The Ministry of Education and Training in the Cayman Islands invites educators to join our team in the position of Teacher (Secondary) in various subject areas as follows:
* Art
* Business Studies
* English
* Home Economics
* Humanities
* Information and communication technology
* Mathematics
* Music
* Physical Education
* Science
* Spanish
* Teacher for english as a second language
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
The Department of Education Services (DES) is the operational arm of the Ministry of Education relating to the provision of compulsory education. It is responsible for supporting school improvement and raising standards through the implementation of ministerial policy, the development and implementation of operational level policies and the provision of a range of centralized services to support the effective management and day to day operation of schools.
DES is under the leadership of a Director (DES). The work of schools is overseen and supported by a Deputy Director (Teaching & Learning), Deputy Director (Operations) and a School Improvement Team which includes SSIOs, Teaching & Learning Unit, Data & Testing Unit, Business Services Unit, Facilities Unit, Child Protection Unit, Head of Professional Development, Customer Service Unit and HR Services, from within DES. Education is mandatory from age 5 to 17 years, which culminates in the sitting of external examinations, and a further year (Year 12) at the Cayman Islands Further Education Centre (CIFEC), as a bridge to further education or the world of work.
The DES provides services to approximately 2,800 Secondary and 2,700 Primary students through one Further Education Centre, three High Schools, ten Primary Schools, and a Special School; in addition to an Education Service provision on Little Cayman. The Department of Education Services employees over 950 staff in these schools and several specialist support areas.
Senior School Improvement Officers (SSIO) form the link between the DES and the individual School Principals who are responsible for the management of a school and teaching and learning outputs delivered by the school.
The education system has evolved out of a British/Caribbean model and has undergone, and continues to undergo major reform with the implementation of a new national curriculum, the development of new teacher standards and performance management system, the re-implementation of reception provision, the implementation of IB in a number of primary schools and the building of new schools. The compulsory school ages are from four years and nine months to seventeen. In an increasing number of schools reception is offered prior to Key Stage 1. Key Stage 1 consists of years 1 through 3, Key Stage 2 consists of years 4 through 6, Key Stage 3 consists of years 7 through 9, Key Stage 4 consists of years 10 and 11 who study for external examinations such as CXCs, GCSEs and BTEC, and Key Stage 5 consists of a year 12 of post 16 education introduced in 2010.
The education philosophy is one of inclusion with an emphasis on differentiation and child-centred learning. The Special Educational Needs (SEN) Code of Practice outlines three levels of interventions which serve students who may experience learning, social, emotional, and/or behavioural challenges to their learning. Classroom teachers are expected to provide the management and support for students at stage one and collaboratively work with specialist colleagues with students at the higher stages.
Teachers are initially placed at a specific school but may be transferred to an alternative campus in future academic years.
DIMENSIONS
Secondary teachers develop schemes of work and lesson plans for one or two specialist National Curriculum subjects as specified by the Department of Education Services. They facilitate learning by establishing an effective relationship with all students and by their organisation of support staff and other learning resources such as textbooks and other print media, computer equipment, interactive whiteboards and specialised IT equipment, and the overall physical learning environment.
A secondary teacher will have primary responsibility for a mixed ability tutor group of up to 30 students with a wide range of abilities and needs from diverse backgrounds, and teaching responsibility for a teaching week consisting of 80 - 88% teaching and 20 - 12% planning & preparation time. Secondary teachers will be expected to work collaboratively with other subject teachers and support staff to facilitate the work of the school through, for example, collaborative planning, team teaching, and non-traditional groupings, as well as participating in whole-school projects. This may include the supervision of classroom support staff (Assistant Teacher and/or Special Support Assistant) as assigned by the Principal.
They foster the appropriate academic and social skills to enable the optimum development of all students. They link students’ knowledge to earlier learning, develop ways to encourage it further and assess and record progress. Secondary school teachers challenge and inspire all students to help them deepen their knowledge and understanding particularly in certain subjects of the National Curriculum.
A Secondary Teacher will need to maintain an in-depth understanding of the Child Protection laws of the Cayman Islands and operate within the National Child Safe Guarding /Child Protection Policies at all times.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Knowledge and Experience
· Bachelor’s degree in a relevant subject from a recognized institution
· A Master’s degree in Education (or equivalent level education specialism) would be an asset
· Formal teacher training/qualification as specified in the Department of Education Services policy on Teacher Qualifications
· Minimum of two years’ post qualification, professional experience in a similar post with a demonstrated track record of successful teaching and learning of students with a wide range of abilities and needs from diverse backgrounds
· Prior experience of teaching in a child-centred learning environment with an emphasis on an activity-based approach with differentiation for individual abilities is essential
Skills
· Proven ability to successfully teach their specialist subject across the whole age and ability range at secondary level is essential and the ability to teach a number of subjects would be an advantage
· Proven ability to effectively integrate literacy, numeracy and ICT; evidence of ICT skills sufficient to support integration of ICT in the classroom is required
· Enthusiasm, creativity, organisational skills and patience when dealing with differing abilities and cultures
· Excellent time management skills
· Ability to adapt to a changing education environment and new approaches to pedagogy
· Ability to resolve conflict and a positive approach to behaviour management
· Ability to communicate simply and clearly
· Good interpersonal skills and the ability to relate well to students, parents, colleagues, and other education stakeholders
· Experience of using formative and summative assessment and proven ability to interpret and act on pupil progress data
· A commitment to supporting and promoting whole school initiatives and activities
· A commitment to on-going professional development
Application deadline: January 18, 2026