Applications are invited for a teacher to lead the teaching of English at St Mary's School, Tristan da Cunha.

English Teacher Vacancy

This vacancy provides a unique opportunity to live and work overseas in a small community school. Our school educates 28 children ranging in age from 3 to 16.

Tristan da Cunha is a UK Overseas Territory. It is volcanic in origin and consists of four islands. Tristan is the only permanently inhabited island with Nightingale, Inaccessible and Gough islands making up the archipelago. Tristan has the honour of being the world's most remote inhabited island. It lies approximately 1750 miles south-west of Cape Town and is only accessible by sea. On average it takes 7 days to travel the distance from Cape Town.

Tristan is a beautiful small island. Home to many endemic species of birdlife, the island is keen on conservation and preserving its special environment. The residents are British citizens living on a UK Overseas Territories. Part of the wider island group of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha, links are established between the islands for professional and social benefits.

St Mary's School, Tristan da Cunha

St Mary's School

St Mary's School caters for all the island children and is staffed by a range of local and expatriate teachers. The primary department is supported by a UK Primary Education Advisor. The secondary department benefits from a UK Maths and Science specialist and has a vacancy for a UK English specialist. We currently offer 5 IGCSE subject options to our secondary students. Students leaving St Mary's School in recent years have gone to the UK for A Level and BTEC studies, joined a government department training scheme and returned to the school as a trainee teacher.

St Mary's School seeks to employ an English Teacher to lead the teaching of Cambridge IGCSE English Language and English Literature. The successful candidate will be willing to contribute to other curriculum areas and to the wider life of school.

The successful candidate will

  • have UK QTS
  • have at least 3 years post qualification experience of teaching to GCSE/IGCSE level in the UK
  • support local teachers in developing subject knowledge and confidence in teaching
  • support the school leaders in making improvements in English and other curriculum areas
  • be willing to undertake teaching of other subjects, including Environmental Management/ Geography and other non-examination courses where necessary
  • work actively with all the other teachers, being sensitive to the culture of the school and community
  • been a passionate and committed teacher
  • have experience of supporting children and young people identified as having SEN
  • be willing to support staff in providing for SEND children and young people.

It would be an advantage if candidates have

  • experience in supporting school leadership with school development

We can offer you

  • an attractive salary of £30K tax free.
  • housing in a friendly and supportive community for you and your dependents
  • places at school for any accompanying children
  • an incredible environment to live and work in
  • supportive colleagues and enthusiastic children
  • medical cover, including on-island treatment and evacuation to Cape Town

Outside of school, there are opportunities to get involved in island community life. The community are open and friendly and willing to help each other. The island provides unique opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts to study the native wildlife and environment. Sitting on a beach in the summer time with seals and penguins is a perfect tonic to working life! The opportunity to climb 'The Peak' is one expatriates and locals both enjoy.

We look forward to hearing from candidates who meet the requirements and have an interest in contributing to our island and school.

Please send any queries on the role and expressions of interest to the Administrator: tristandcadmin@gmail.com. For further information on the school and living on the island please contact one of the teachers Clare Ryan at: clarer@tdc-gov.com.

Applications closed Friday 12 July 2019.

Start date September/October 2019.