NOTES FOR JOB APPLICANTS

St. Clare's, Oxford is a registered educational charity based in Oxford.

Until recently its sole activity was the operation of an international college, founded in 1953 as a centre where students from Europe could resume contact with Britain after the war. From this, the present College has evolved with the aim of promoting international understanding and academic excellence in a community where students from different countries live and study together, and while doing so learn about and from one another.

The College is described more fully below.

In June 1996 activities were broadened by establishing a new division - Educational Services - which offers other courses and services, also described below.

St. Clare's, Oxford operates as a charitable company with a board of governors/directors chaired by Peter Oppenheimer, Economics Student (ie fellow) of Christ Church, Oxford. Its overall mission, reflecting its origin, is

	education
Promoting international	&
	understanding

and this characterises all the diverse operations of both International College and Educational Services divisions.

At present the two divisions operate from the same premises in North Oxford.

St. Clare's International College

The College offers courses throughout the year, except over Christmas, in three areas:

• at pre-university level

  (International Baccalaureate, pre-IB, University Foundation Year, Enrichment Year)

• at university level

  (Liberal Arts courses for university students from US universities and elsewhere)

• and in English language principally English, English for Business

Pre-university and university level programmes operate during the academic year only, while English language courses are offered throughout the year.

Around 200 students are following academic year courses at PRE-UNIVERSITY, the largest programme (with around 170 students) being the; International Baccalaureate (IB). This is a two year sixth form course leading to the IB Diploma, an entrance qualification for all British universities and for most other universities in the world. Students come from a wide range of countries (currently 46) and cultures, with about 40% being native English-speaking, many of them students who have chosen to come to St. Clare's because of its more adult atmosphere and the lively nature of the IB programme. Students take six subjects, including two languages, undertake a research project, a course in critical thinking (Theory of Knowledge) and extra-curricular activities to embrace creativity, action and service. The IB is taught in over 700 schools and colleges worldwide.

St. Clare's began teaching the programme in 1977 and is one of the principal IB institutions in the world in terms of student numbers, staff expertise and examination record. Almost all students proceed to higher education in Britain, or elsewhere.

There is also a one-year; Pre-IB course for around 20 students who need some additional academic preparation before starting the two-year IB diploma course. This also attracts students wishing to spend a year or part of a year in England before returning home to complete secondary education.

The University Foundation Year, introduced in 1996, prepares students for study at British universities, in art/humanities, social studies or business. The course includes English language for students who are non-native speakers.

UNIVERSITY LEVEL courses in Liberal Arts are for students from the USA and elsewhere, who wish to supplement their university programmes with one or two semesters of study in England. For US students, courses count towards the degree they are taking at their home institutions. The European Advanced Studies Programme (academic year) is for non-native speaking students who wish to improve their English language while also studying subjects in English. Students combine selected Liberal Arts courses, studied with American students, with elements from the English Language course. Around 40-60 students are enrolled on these two programmes.

St. Clare's ENGLISH LANGUAGE COURSE is one of the longest established in Britain, and the College was a founder member of ARELS (The Association of Recognised English Language Services). During the academic year up to 100 students are enrolled on courses at any one time. Many are graduates or undergraduates of foreign universities, attracted by the College's general facilities and activities which complement class work. Students with strong English and an appropriate academic background often join the European Advanced Studies Programme. Although the minimum period of enrolment during the academic year is four weeks, the course is organised by terms, and most students come for at least one term and prepare for recognised qualifications. English courses (general and specialist) are also offered during Easter and summer vacations. These provide continuity of study between terms for those students wishing to take longer courses, and also attract significant numbers of students who will take short courses of 2-12 weeks, within these periods alone.

The College's central facilities are based in eight Victorian/Edwardian houses, with some purpose-built accommodation in their grounds, and include a hall, a new Academic Resources Centre (which includes a library of over 30,000 volumes), four science laboratories, language laboratories, art studio, computer rooms, dining room, café/bistro, teaching rooms and administrative offices. Around 300 students live in College accommodation, some in Victorian houses (we have 15) close to central buildings, and others in senior, self-catering houses, with, in all cases, a resident warden/house manager.

The College has a planned capital development programme which has recently included the following major projects:

• Anne Dreydel House (Academic Resources Centre) opened in May 1995, a £650,000 refurbishment of an Edwardian house.
• Morris Rooms (suite of classrooms) opened in September 1995 (£200,000).
• Logan House, opened in July 1996 by the Rt Hon Douglas Hurd, which provides high quality self-contained accommodation (cost £1.6m) for around 45 senior students.
• Catering developments (dining rooms and bistro-bar) totalling £200,000 completed in April 1995.
• Purchase and refurbishment of Hampden Manor, a 17th century manor house a few miles outside Oxford, which provides self-contained flats for 22 students, and may be used for limited teaching. ( c£500,000 December 1996)
• Acquisition of lease and refurbishment of a house to form a new Social Studies department base (teaching rooms, computer suite, staff work room, Theatre Arts rehearsal/teaching room, single en suite bedrooms for students) (January 1997).

A masterplan for the entire central site of the College is in process of preparation, working with two internationally renowned architects selected after a competition.

In trying to sum up our philosophy, we drew up the following statement, to which applicants for posts here should be happy to subscribe.

"St. Clare's is a small, largely residential college for students of pre-university level and above. The student body is international, though with a strong core of native speakers: the setting is Oxford.

We offer rigorous academic courses and an extracurricular programme with a strong emphasis on creativity and community service in an environment which is open, informal and supportive. Additionally, we aim to develop in our students a sense of responsibility for their own work and conduct and an understanding of the importance of moral and spiritual values in their lives. In particular, we wish them to grow in a knowledge and understanding of the needs of others and the environment which are not just local but also international. Our well-qualified and experienced staff are open, understanding and international in outlook. Our relationships with students, based on high expectations and mutual respect, are warm and friendly. Above all, we share a common aim to develop in our students qualities and values which will equip them for further study, a fulfilled life and responsible world citizenship."

This new division was established for two reasons. It incorporates certain courses and activities developed in recent years which it was felt should be kept distinct from those of the International College. This separation will enable future and expanding developments to proceed independently of the College.

Activities of the division include teacher training courses (principally for teachers of English or those introducing the IB), summer courses for young learners (10-16) in Oxford, adult cultural or language and culture programmes (in Oxford), short courses at other locations, English language testing, and consultancy.

Educational Services has made a good start, and with the appointment of a full-time head from January 1997, there has been a rapid and considerable increase in range and volume of activities. An International Summer School for students of all nationalities is being offered in summer 1998. This is for students aged 16 - 20 years studying in high schools for national programmes, or the IB. In addition to the subject-based programme there are conference days on the themes "One World - global perspectives on issues affecting us all" and "Many Worlds - valuing differences".

The "Language through Learning" project aims to assist teachers of subjects through the medium of English to students who are not native speakers of the language. By raising awareness of language issues and enhancing skills of teachers in using and developing language, the intention is to make them more effective in teaching their own subjects.

Currently the division's administration is based in the same premises as the College, but expansion may necessitate a re-arrangement. Courses use rented premises in Oxford and elsewhere, as well as the College's own facilities. Educational Services' activities draw upon St. Clare's associates (engaged for specific purposes, but retaining continuing connections with us), freelance and temporary staff, and regular College staff.

St. Clare's has a no smoking policy in all central buildings (including offices) and discourages smoking on the premises.

May 1998

Return to vacancy information page