Academic Manager (Fixed Term Summer Contract)

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Company Description

ALPADIA's mission is to encourage language development through immersion and to expand the horizons of our students and staff.

Our vision for your employment is an exciting opportunity to grow your professional and personal skills as an educator and youth practitioner.

Deepen your understanding of child development by applying solution-focused Positive Behaviour Support strategies and conflict resolution techniques to create a stimulating and supportive learning environment.

Stay ahead in the field of education and youth practice with our professional development programme designed to advance your career.

You will get the opportunity to work in an international team of like-minded, positive people who are dedicated to making a difference through their work.

ALPADIA employment reflects our values of integrity, support, diversity, knowledge growth, and opportunity.

In 2024 we welcomed 64 different student nationalities to the UK and we are proud of creating this uniquely diverse working environment for our staff members.

Job Description

Join ALPADIA's team this summer for an unforgettable 2025 experience! We're seeking committed and passionate individuals who can engage and inspire young students while looking for a rewarding and enriching experience themselves.

As an Academic Manager, you will take charge of delivering our English programs at ALPADIA, leading the teaching team to uphold high standards and effectively manage teacher/student ratios. You'll oversee English language instruction at our camp, ensuring quality and providing EFL teachers with the support they need to deliver exceptional lessons. Your initiative will help attract and retain exceptional educators who bring out the best in their students.

Paid training is provided, offering support and development to help you succeed in this role.

Key responsibilities

General

• Be responsible for the overall management of the camps' academic department.
• Ensure that all classes are correctly staffed, and that both internal and external guidelines are met with regards to student/teacher ratios.
• Deploy teachers based on their skills and experience, ensuring alignment with student characteristics (level, age, nationality), classroom setup and course requirements.
• Ensure that academic files, including academic planners, test results level changes, observation forms and staff records are filled out promptly and kept up to date.
• Prepare end-of-course certificates for all our students, including tailored remarks from the teachers.
• Ensure all lessons start and finish on time.
• Ensure all classrooms are ready and set up for lessons every day.
• Liaise with the Welfare Manager to ensure all students are attending the morning academic programme.
• Monitor student attendance and punctuality; address any issues of absence or lateness promptly.
• Lead a daily Teacher's Meeting, minuting important points raised and discussing as appropriate.
• Attend weekly inter-camp academic meetings.
• Be responsible for Day One organisation (including testing and induction for new students where necessary).
• Collect weekly teacher and student feedback.
• Ensure all ICT equipment is fully functioning prior to the start of camp and assist Teachers in the use of it.
• Work with other managers to ensure classes are covered in case of Teacher sickness or absence.
• Be proactive about both your personal and professional development including attendance, completion of all compulsory training sessions and to actively participate in any training offered.
• Liase with the Camp Manager, Welfare Manager and the Activity Manager to ensure the smooth running of the camp.
• Read, understand, and sign any relevant risk assessments as required.
• Undertake other duties as deemed necessary by your line manager.

Teaching

• Ensure that ALPADIA curriculum is being adhered to.
• Understand and be able to respond to questions about ALPADIA curriculum.
• Ensure all language tuition is appropriate to a young learner camp environment.
• Show initiative to ensure the syllabus is adapted to meet the specific needs of ALPADIA students.
• Lead the teaching team and provide daily guidance, support and training.
• Be approachable for day-to-day support, with clear channels for communication established with both teachers and students.
• Encourage the sole use of the target language in classrooms wherever possible, both from the students and the other teachers.
• Maintain at all times proper levels of student discipline, safety, and welfare, highlighting any issues to the Camp Manager.
• If necessary, prepare and teach your own classes to a high standard, with a keen understanding of cultural sensibilities, to ensure all lessons stretch and inspire our students.
• Deliver interactive CPD workshops to teachers on weekly basis.
• Create new or amend existing CPD Session Content to address any issues raised in observations and feedback.
• Complete all lesson observations of teachers, focusing on their continued professional development.
• Identify the training needs and areas for improvement and provide tailored support based on teacher/student feedback, complaints or observations.
• Pay particular attention to guiding inexperienced teachers, ensuring adequate support is provided to those exhibiting weaknesses in classroom performance.
• Lead and assist with the training and induction of the teaching team.
• Demonstrate leadership of department ensuring teaching output is of the highest possible standard.

Welfare

• Safeguard and promote the wellbeing of all students in our care.
• Understand child protection and safeguarding policies of the country.

Customer Service

• Liaise with the Camp Manager to resolve any instances of issues, questions, concerns raised by students, agents, parents, or other stakeholders.
• Provide exceptional customer service to both internal and external customers at all times.

HR

• Ensure that all staff are fully and properly inducted and that they have operational knowledge of procedural documents and ALPADIA policies relevant to their role
• Have a good working knowledge of managed staff job descriptions and procedures associated with their role
• Liaise with the Recruitment Officer on matters of staff pay, holiday, sickness and other related HR issues

Qualifications

Skills and Experience

Essential

• Level 6 Qualification - Examples: https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qual...
• TEFLQ Status - Examples: DELTA, Trinity Dip. TESOL, MA/MSc in ELT/TESOL/Applied Linguistics or equivalent
• 3 years of EFL teaching experience
• Experience in teaching a variety of levels
• A sound knowledge and experience of teaching 10 to 17-year-old students
• Ability to relate to and build rapport with international students
• Demonstrates a passion for teaching and inspires students to learn
• Exceptional customer service ethos
• Proven leadership skills
• Ability to work effectively on an individual basis and as a member of a team
• Proven ability to multitask and manage conflicting priorities
• Proven ability to work effectively under pressure
• Ability to deal with and resolve a high volume of queries efficiently
• Ability to find and present solutions to problems
• Strong attention to detail and high level of data accuracy
• Excellent organisational skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with a client focused approach
• High level of patience and approachability
• Ability to be flexible and adapt where required
• Understanding of child protection and safeguarding policies
• Experience in administration work (preferably in an ELT environment)
• A high degree of IT competency - Outlook & MS Office (specifically Excel)

Desirable

• Level 7 or Level 8 Qualification - Examples: https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qual...
• DELTM or equivalent
• Experience in summer schools (or similar structures preferred)
• Educational management experience in a summer or residential setting
• Experience in management in EFL (or similar educational environment)
• Experience in managing a team
• Experience in teacher development and conducting teacher observations
• Ability to manage performance and development of staff
• Experience in dealing with and solving complaints
• Experience in British Council inspections
• Experience in curriculum design
• Respect for equal opportunities and diversity
• Safeguarding and Welfare experience with under 18s

Additional Information

We offer you:

• Competitive salary
• A Monday to Friday timetable, with working hours between 08:00 and 16:30
• An unforgettable experience in a dynamic atmosphere
• An international working environment
• Attractive bonus options for returners and the possibility of career progression

Location of our course centre and dates of commitment:

• London Woldingham: 23.06.25 - 08.08.25

Miscellaneous:

• Typically a residential position with accommodation provided on site
• We are committed to the safety and wellbeing of our students therefore all staff employed will be required to provide / undergo an Enhanced DBS check (and provide overseas conduct certificates where applicable)
• Equality and diversity is part of our core purpose. Alpadia summer schools are for everyone. This applies to both our students and our brilliant team of staff.

How to Apply

Please apply with CV and cover letter. Please note, we have multiple roles available, and this vacancy will remain open until all positions are filled. We recommend that you apply at your earliest convenience. Only applicants invited to an interview will receive a reply.

Equal Opportunity Statement

At Alpadia Language Schools, we are committed to working in a diverse organisation and strive to provide equality of opportunity for all. We encourage and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or identity, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnership. If as a disabled applicant (as defined under the Equality Act 2010) you would like to request that your application is considered under Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) please let us know using this form.

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