part-time position from August 2009

Please read in conjunction with Notes for applicants and Additional information for teachers of IB courses.

The post

The post is based upon teaching Physics on the Preparatory IB course (Pre-IB) for four hours per week. The successful candidate may also teach on the International Baccalaureate Diploma depending on enrolment. Class size is a maximum of 15 and the students are invariably well-behaved and keen to learn. These are optimal conditions for a teacher to plan and deliver excellent lessons in a supportive and collegial environment.

Physics at St. Clare's

Higher level IB Physics is approximately equivalent to A2 level. Standard level is in between A2 level and (I)GCSE. Higher level classes have 4 hours/week of teaching, while Standard level classes have 3 hours per week in IB1 and 2.5 hours per week in IB2.

Pre-IB Physics classes have 4 hours per week. Pre-IB Physics would be similar in standard to (I)GCSE single or double award Science.

There are usually up to 10 students in each IB Physics class and up to 12 in Pre-IB Physics class. Science classes are a compulsory part of the Pre-IB programme. IB Physics is a very popular option with approximately 30 students choosing it each year. The IB Physics results are excellent.

Sciences are an integral part of the IB programme. All IB students must take at least one Science subject, though many opt to take two. Physics, Chemistry, Biology are all offered at both Higher and Standard level. Ecosystems and Societies (a transdisciplinary subject) is offered at standard level either as a Science or as an Individuals and Societies subject. Astronomy is offered at standard level.

The Pre-IB course is a College-devised programme which offers up to one year of preparation in academic subjects and English language (as necessary) to students not yet ready to begin the IB programme. While some students come for the whole year, others join the programme for one or two terms. We also accept a number of students, principally from Brazil, who are taking a study break from their own schools, to which they will return to complete secondary education. Up to 40 students are currently enrolled on the Pre-IB programme.

Science is also offered as part of the St. Clare's IB Summer courses, a programme of IB revision and IB preparation courses for students from all over the world. While teaching on this programme is not required, there are openings for members of the department to undertake this.

Science department

Currently there are five full-time members of the department, including the head of department. There are two biologists (one full-time and one part-time), two chemists (both full-time), two physicists (one full-time and one part-time) and two full-time teachers for Environmental Systems and Societies. Both Environmental Systems and Societies teachers also teach Geography. There are also two science laboratory technicians.

There are 4 laboratories for Science teaching, one each for Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Ecosystems and Societies. The labs are small (as are our class sizes) but well equipped. In addition there are two Science prep rooms. All laboratories are equipped with ceiling-mounted digital projectors.

Some information on subject content can be found at www.stclares.ac.uk/ib/ibsubjects.

Maths teacher

Essential requirements

• degree and PGCE (or equivalent)
• experience of teaching IB or equivalent
• an excellent and innovative classroom practitioner
• willingness to contribute to the life of a busy boarding school
• efficiency and flexibility

Desirable

• experience of working in an international environment
• experience of working with students of different language / educational backgrounds

Terms and conditions

Salaries for full-time teachers are based on the St. Clare's pay scale (in excess of the main professional scale for maintained schools), according to qualifications and experience. For part-time posts, the salary will be hourly paid (currently £32.70 per hour including holiday pay) based on the number of hours taught. Salary is subject to income tax and National Insurance deductions.

The academic year for IB teaching is 35 weeks from the start of September until mid-June (with appropriate breaks that are largely synchronised with local schools). The successful candidate would be expected to teach throughout these weeks. It is highly desirable if s/he could also attend relevant meetings before and after the academic year as well as on occasional Wednesday afternoons.

Classes are timetabled between 09:00 and 16:15, Monday to Friday. A reasonable effort will be made to accommodate the timing of classes to the availability of the teacher.

Teachers are provided with free lunch in the dining room or café on working days.

Further enquiries and applications

Please apply by detailed letter enclosing

• a full CV to include a full employment history with names, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of all previous employers where you have worked with students aged under 18
• details of three referees to include addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers (please ensure they know they may be contacted and will respond promptly)

Tom Walsh, Vice Principal
St. Clare's, Oxford
39 Banbury Road
Oxford OX2 7AL
Tel: +44 (0)1865 517368
Fax: +44 (0)1865 310002
Email: tom.walsh@stclares.ac.uk

Closing date for applications: 12 June 2009
Please note that CVs without a suitable accompanying letter and/or details of referees with be discarded.