(International Baccalaureate Diploma and Pre-IB)
The academic programmesSt. Clare’s has a strong pre-university programme, based on the International Baccalaureate Diploma. Initially introduced alongside A levels in 1977, for many years the College has taught the IB Diploma as its only university entrance qualification. With over 200 students in the two IB Diploma years, the College’s IB programme is one of the largest and best established among the 1400+ IB schools and colleges world-wide.
St. Clare’s offers a wide range of subjects in the IB Diploma, including over 20 native languages, and minority subjects such as Theatre Arts, Music and Ecosystems & Societies. Many staff are IB examiners, workshop leaders or participate in curriculum development. The College is an active member of IBSCA, the UK IB Schools and Colleges Association, and in June 2000 hosted the first student conference for UK-based IB students. These conferences have now become established annual events. Almost all IB students proceed to university, the largest group to UK universities, and smaller numbers to the USA, and to around ten other countries.
Almost all IB students proceed to university, the largest group to UK universities, and smaller numbers to the USA.
The Pre-IB / English 16+ (i.e. for students aged 16 and above) programme prepares students for the IB programme, or provides a study break for students who will return to their own countries to complete secondary education. The programme is flexible, depending upon the linguistic needs of students, but includes English language plus other subjects studied in English, in varying proportions. The principal subject studies are General Science and Humanities. These concentrate on skill development, and are also essential vehicles for practice and development of English language.
(The College also offers a one-year University Foundation Course. This
is taught at the the Bardwell Road site for adults, and combines English
language and subject studies. This is separately staffed). 
The College welcomes both residential and day students, and is making particular efforts to increase the numbers of local British students. However, currently, the majority of students are residential, some on a weekly/flexible basis. Unlike many residential establishments, teachers do not have residential duties. However, it is essential that teachers at St. Clare’s become aware of the 24 hours a day, 7 days a week provision that is offered.
Pre-university students are cared for in
their houses by house wardens. Appointments to these posts are not necessarily
linked with appointments to other posts in the College, and a number of
house wardens hold the post as their only College appointment. However,
we are always pleased to be able to engage teachers as house wardens,
on appointment, if vacancies exist, or subsequently.
The College has extensive activities provision, with a department of four full-time and two part-time activities teachers and visiting teachers/coaches.
All full-time and substantial part-time teachers are expected to make a contribution to extra-curricular activities, by arranging and engaging in at least 36 hours per year for full-time teachers, although many teachers will do considerably more than this. The contribution can take the form of academic-related activities (e.g. an academic society, or weekend trips to museums), or be part of the general activities programme (e.g. sports coaching, leading International Affairs discussions, leading a service project).
Aspects of activities that are receiving particular
attention currently are outdoor education and service projects. The College
established an educational fund-raising project for a Tanzanian primary
school in 2000, and undertakes a number of regular local service projects,
such as work with the homeless, conservation and work with refugees.
Pastoral care - Personal tutors
Each student is assigned a personal tutor, who is responsible for general
oversight of a student’s welfare and progress - academic, social, personal
etc. Personal tutors meet with each student individually each week. They
also meet together to discuss general matters. Collectively, they plan
and deliver a programme of personal, social and health education. The
work of personal tutors is co-ordinated by the Dean of Students. Personal
tutors are appointed to their posts separately, i.e. it is not a requirement
that teachers become personal tutors. Personal tutors include not only
teachers, but also house wardens, the librarian, and, on occasions, other staff.
An additional allowance is paid to personal tutors.
Management
The Pre-university courses are overseen by the Director of Pre-university
Courses, who is also Vice-Principal, assisted by the Director of Studies
and Dean of Students. The Director of Studies (who is also IB Diploma
Co-ordinator) and Dean of Students work exclusively on the pre-university
programmes. Subject teachers are members of academic departments, grouped
to form 7 major departments (English A, English as a second language,
Modern languages, Social Studies, Science, Mathematics, and Arts). The
Academic Steering Group, on which heads of these departments serve, oversees
academic matters. Personal Tutors, meeting regularly, advise/decide upon
more general aspects of welfare and provision. House wardens also meet
regularly.
Management of St. Clare’s is complex, and we increasingly
look to teachers to contribute to College development by joining working
parties and being prepared to propose and take the lead in certain new
initiatives.
The IB Institute
The IB Institute offers a range of IB revision and preparatory courses
for students, as well as study opportunities for teachers, including IBO-approved
subject workshops for experienced IB Diploma teachers. Courses and workshops
are open to IB students and teachers from all IB schools. The IB Institute
has its own director, and courses and workshops take place during the
summer holidays.
Life as a teacher at St. Clare’s
St. Clare's provides near ideal conditions for academic teachers.
Small classes, generally well motivated students aged 15-20, with small
teaching groups, able and pleasant colleagues and good facilities make
the place a very congenial workplace. Internationalism is a strong element
of the College, and we take our mission of advancing international education
and understanding seriously. We are also deliberately broadening the role
of full-time and major part-time teachers, as part of more deliberate
consideration of the 7 day a week, 24 hour a day residential life of students.
We are looking for people who are interested in significant involvement
outside the classroom, through activities, involvement in College thinking
and development, and, perhaps, taking on additional, paid responsibilities
as a personal tutor or house warden. We like to think St. Clare's is a stimulating
place to work. Teachers work hard, but generally seem to enjoy the work.
Perhaps that's why staff turnover is so low. (At one time, the average
length of service of full-time teachers was increasing by one year every
year). This is not to say that there are no frustrations. We inhabit a
series of buildings erected about 100 years ago as family homes. These
do not always make ideal teaching spaces for 21st century teaching. Space
is at a premium.
Professional development is both expected and actively
encouraged, and we have a scheme for two-year leave of absence for permanent
teachers who wish to teach on a short-term contract elsewhere. We also
wish to encourage teachers to develop research or other interests, contributing
to personal professional development, and thinking and practice in international
education.
The academic year
Three terms: late August – mid-December; early January – Easter; Easter
to mid-June. New teachers are expected to attend a short induction programme
in mid-August.
Oxford
Oxford is a supremely civilised city, with beautiful architecture, a relatively
small population (around 130,000), and a disproportionate number of students
(some 30,000 of the total population). There are two universities, and
many independent and other colleges. The cultural life is varied and extensive:
excellent theatres, concerts, cinema, restaurants, bookshops etc. Nightlife
is not too bad, with good late cafes and some interesting live music places
and clubs. It is also very easy to get to London. Train and bus services
are excellent (1-1 ½ hours) making travelling to London for a day,
or for an evening concert or theatre trip quite straightforward. The city
centre is small and easily manageable on foot, or bike. Within the city
boundaries are large open areas, including two rivers (for punting, rowing
etc), a canal, College gardens and grounds, and fields. Property in Oxford
is expensive - to buy or rent. The cheapest houses within Oxford city
are around £160,000 - and at that price you would have to look hard.
Renting a two bedroom flat starts at around £650 per month. If you
can afford to buy in Oxford, you will be sitting on an appreciating asset
(barring a UK property crash - not expected), which means that you will
be well placed to buy anywhere else in Britain. But you are likely to
need a substantial deposit. Houses outside Oxford itself can be cheaper,
but in general, property in this region of England is expensive. St. Clare's
does not provide accommodation for teachers, unless they are also house wardens.
Updated March 2005
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