KS2 Primary Teacher

KS2 Primary Teacher teaching subjects across the English National Curriculum in KS2.

Overview

RIA has a vacancy for a committed, qualified Primary School teacher who wishes to work in a rewarding and interesting international teaching environment. RIA is a small-scale, mainstream international school for children aged between 5 and 16, based in the area of Shekou, in Shenzhen, China.

RIA has a maximum enrolment of 78 children and maintains small class sizes. Founded in 2008, we are a family-run school that serves the local expatriate community. Our reputation is that of a happy, welcoming, flexible school that makes excellent progress with the children in our care. We are very popular with local parents and we have a waiting list for admission. Shenzhen is a large, modern coastal city that borders Hong Kong and has excellent links to all of SE Asia.

The Role

RIA is looking for an enthusiastic, qualified Primary School teacher. Class sizes are a maximum of 9 or 10 expatriate children of mixed ability and possibly of mixed age. Our school commitment is to a personalised style of education so differentiation within lessons is essential. You should be able to teach a range of subjects, have strong classroom management strategies and be creative and organised.

Our core curriculum is based on the National Curriculum of England and Wales (2014), but teachers are encouraged to adapt their teaching according to the needs, interests and abilities of the children in their care.

The teaching day is kept low-key; we allow staff the time to prepare exciting lessons and to complete most school-based tasks within the school day. Administrative requirements and duties outside the classroom are kept to a minimum. Teachers find that nearly all of their marking is done within class-time and that they develop a detailed dialogue with each of their students regarding their progress. We wish for our teachers to enjoy their teaching day and to have energy and enthusiasm for the next one.

Our team of teachers work closely with each other and with parents. Good communication skills and a willingness to join in with school and community activities is an advantage.

Our small-scale approach has helped children make remarkable academic progress; we would like to work with teachers who are interested in this idea.

The Package

Take-home pay (after tax deductions) is approximately 2200 pounds sterling per month, at present exchange rates. Salary is paid in Chinese RMB. Housing allowance is an additional (approximate) 560 pounds sterling per month.

We pay for visas, a return flight to your country of origin each year and local health insurance. School lunches are free. Start-up costs in a new country can sometimes be high and the school will help with this situation if required. Contracts are one-year long with an intended commitment to two years.

In general terms, this amount of income is sufficient to enjoy a good day-to-day standard of existence and to have enough money to enjoy travelling during your holidays. If you are frugal, or even moderate, with your spending, it is possible to save a good amount of money on this salary. China can be expensive or cheap; it depends on the way you choose to live.

Holidays are in line with other international schools – there are 180 teaching days in the year plus a few professional development days. Our school year runs from mid-August to mid-June.

The Place

Shekou, Shenzhen, China.

Shekou means ‘snake’s mouth’ in Chinese and it is the expatriate area of choice within Shenzhen. It has many western amenities as well as much traditional Chinese culture. The ferry to Hong Kong is 3 minutes walk from the school and we are close to other Hong Kong border crossings. Travel to other parts of China and the rest of SE Asia can be made from Shenzhen Airport, Hong Kong Airport, or by high-speed trains that link through the city. Shenzhen has an extensive, modern metro (underground) system and also cheap buses and taxis. In the local area of Shekou, most of us get around by cycling or by electric mopeds.

Shenzhen, and Shekou in particular, has many green spaces and does not suffer as much from air pollution as many other large cities in China. It is a city that has grown rapidly over the last 30 years due to its status as a Special Economic Zone and its relationship with Hong Kong. There are many activities to enjoy and opportunities to be had in this thriving atmosphere.

Applications should include a covering letter addressed to Mr David Blakemore, Principal, along with updated CV and the names and contact email addresses of at least three referees; one of whom should be your current or most recent employer.