Library-based Teacher

What we seek:

The English College is looking for an enthusiastic, creative and reflective educationalist to lead the drive to bring our library right into the heart of the school. They will create a love of reading, and focus on whole-school literacy, curricular engagement and information literacy, while at the same time working alongside a library assistant to maintain the accessibility and integrity of our physical and online resources. 

The school is looking to make a major investment into the physical library space within the next year to 18 months. We are looking for a decision-maker with bold vision, who will advise and guide the work of our designer and project manager, suggesting directions that this exciting project could take to support our school’s ambitious literacy aims and curricular engagement.

We have an open mind as to the exact background and qualifications that might be needed for this role, however we are looking for a charismatic, confident and dynamic individual who will feel comfortable working as an equal partner to Departmental and Faculty Head leaders and effecting motivational change. In-depth knowledge of Library IT systems is not necessary, but the candidate should be comfortable with technology and will need to learn Follett Destiny and Google Suite. 

Ideally, the post would suit a dual qualified teacher-librarian, however the nature of the individual’s skills and personal presence is more important, so we would be happy to consider either a qualified librarian or simply a qualified teacher with the right professional experience and ambition. We would provide access to relevant supplementary professional training or qualifications as needed or desired. 

Job Specification Overview:

The ideal candidate will be confident to perform the following duties and responsibilities:

• Lead on an ambitious plan to physically transform the library, helping it become the heart of literacy education
• Continuously develop the library’s resources in collaboration with the teaching staff, maintaining its relevance to the ever-changing demands of curricula, reading trends and technology
• Be able to advise on and/or amend curricular Schemes of Work to include planned library-usage time
• Deliver effective learning and whole-school literacy leadership
• Develop and deliver one-off lessons or a bespoke lessons scheme with individual teachers or academic departments, including the preparation of resource materials
• Develop programmes, events and displays promoting reading and the library’s resources
• Update both the content and also the look and feel of the library’s social media sites, to be consistent with the school’s intranet and external website
• Prepare and maintain the library’s budget
• Lead (or support the library assistant - depending on skills and experience)
  - in cataloguing the various library resources, both print and digital, using the Dewey Decimal System, MARC and RDA records, and use of a subject authority list
  - in maintaining the library management system including the creation and administration of resource and user records
  - in purchasing, processing and managing resources for the library and the rest of the school.
• Enable and support the work of the library assistant and run a student library volunteer programme
• Assist students and staff with their research and referencing needs
• Maintain membership of a relevant professional library organisation (i.e. School Library Association) and professional relationship with library contacts including librarians both local and abroad
• Maintain a working knowledge of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme, especially in relation to research and referencing

Short School Statement

We are an unusual, exciting and academic HMC secondary school educating both Czech and international students. While we prepare our students for a small number of core IGCSEs, and Common European Framework language exams, our main focus is on delivering success in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and the Czech Maturita qualification. Each year, our graduates go on to study at universities in the UK (usually including Oxbridge), continental Europe and North America. We offer the successful candidate adventure, challenge and good remuneration in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

For further information including a description of living and working in the Czech Republic, please visit the English College in Prague website  via this link. 

Staff Package:

• We offer assistance, both practical and financial, for those moving to the Czech Republic
• An exceptionally well-resourced CPD environment with career development opportunities, in Europe and the UK
• We usually fly successful candidates out in the term prior to their appointment for an acquaintance visit
• The College contributes to a Czech occupational pension scheme and  employees enjoy the generous arrangements of the Czech health and social security system
• We offer subsidised lunches, international ITIC membership (which offers discounts and full access to the Czech National Technical Library physical and online resources) and a MultiSport card
  
  

Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure and References Statement

The English College in Prague is totally committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects the same from its employees. All new staff will be subject to enhanced DBS clearance, or similar depending on their country of origin or previous employment. Identity checks, employment checks and qualifications checks all form a non-negotiable part of the recruitment process. Any gaps in employment will be examined, and we will require at least two references, including one from your most recent Headteacher. Safeguarding and child protection training is given on arrival and the induction process follows UK best practice in this regard too.

How to apply:

Email the Headmaster, Dr. Nigel Brown, at headmaster@englishcollege.cz with a short covering lette r and a full c.v. Please include a complete career history as well as the names, addresses and telephone numbers of two referees, one of whom should be your current or most recent Headteacher or Director at your current place of work.

Only applicants selected for interview will be contacted. Shortlisted candidates will be notified on or before 18th January. Interviews will be conducted by either Skype, or in person in London or Prague (travel expenses will be reimbursed), depending on the circumstances.