Information for Prospective Teachers

Location of the School

La Garenne International School is located in the Swiss alpine village of Villars---sur--- Ollon. The village is situated in the French-speaking part of , at a distance of about 100 kilometres from Geneva. Villars has excellent rail and road connections and, as the map below shows, is perfectly situated for travel within and beyond Switzerland. There are panoramic views towards Mont Blanc and the mountains. This stunning setting attracts many visitors for winter sports and a wide variety of summer activities. These include hiking, climbing and cycling. The village also has a well-developed tourist infrastructure, including an indoor sports centre and a swimming pool / spa complex. The village is safe and clean and is noted for its quiet and relaxed atmosphere. It is only a short walk from La Garenne to the centre of the village.

The School

The school was founded in 1947 and has been owned and run by the Méan family for two generations. Since July 2008 the school has under the leadership of Grégory Méan and his wife, Céline. These young and dynamic Directors are supported and assisted by the Méan family and a team of dedicated staff. The student community of La Garenne is made up of day and boarding students from around the world. As the majority of the children are boarders, they are constantly living and working alongside others from different backgrounds and cultures.

The school strives to provide a warm and welcoming atmosphere where the pupils can develop on both an educational and personal level. Solid moral and social values are instilled in the children in this close---knit family environment. Daily life in school provides a strong educational ethos combined with a wide variety of extra---curricular activities including sports, cultural visits and excursions.

The school’s academic programmes are broadly based on the English National Curriculum, with an international flavour being provided by the International Primary Curriculum (IPC) in the Primary classes and the International Middle Years Curriculum (IMYC) in the Junior classes (Years 7-9, ages 11-14). More information about our academic programmes can be found on our website.

Our Mission

Our mission at La Garenne is to provide academic excellence, a warm, international family environment and a safe location in exceptional surroundings. La Garenne International School educates children from around the world, in a warm, family atmosphere. We promote the traditional Swiss values of openness, responsibility, precision, honesty, politeness and the benefits of being well organised. The ambience of our bilingual community emphasises the importance of human contact. Our ambitious extra-curricular programme, exciting school trips and challenging expeditions, combine with the taught curriculum to offer the children a truly holistic learning experience. We strive to provide our students with a solid foundation to face the ever-changing world, enabling them to move along the path towards true global citizenship”

Staff As La Garenne is a small school, each member of staff plays an important role in school life. Some of the personnel have been working here for more than twenty years. Just as with the children, the members of staff come from around the world but the working languages of the school are English and French. Due to the importance placed on the personal development of each individual child, there is close communication between the school leaders, the teachers and the boarding staff. It is essential that any teacher joining the team of educators at La Garenne works as part of a team, while also being prepared to work independently and use their initiative to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the children.

What we look for in new members of staff

All of our members of staff must be honest, well -mannered, dependable, show initiative, be passionate and creative, be highly organized and have a strong work ethic. Enthusiasm and high levels of motivation are also important qualities that we look for in our employees. Working in a boarding school means that timetables and working life will vary from some other schools. The school cares for the children all day, every day, and this will be reflected in the duties and hours of the staff. Teachers work from Monday to Friday, 32 hours per week, which includes planning and preparation time.

When at school, we require all employees to be entirely dedicated to the children and encourage the pupils in their work and activities at all times. They should be aware of and follow all school policies and protocols. A cheerful disposition is important in particular because La Garenne is both home and school for the children during term---time. The Teachers’ Handbook provides details on all aspects of life at the school.

Interviews

There are 4 stages to the interview process.

Stage 1 --- All requested documents must be received.

Stage 2 --- Initial meeting either by Skype or in person.

Stage 3 – The teacher will be invited to the school for a day. The teacher will be interviewed and is required to plan and teach a lesson that will be observed. The school will cover any reasonable costs associated with the interview process.

Stage 4 – If the candidate is successful, a contract will be signed by both parties and further information will follow.

What do I need to bring for an interview?

• CRB/Police Checks

Any person called for an interview at La Garenne should bring their original CRB Disclosure (if coming from the UK), or a Police Check dated within the last three months.

• CV with at least 2 contact referees and a covering letter

• At least one pre---written reference

• Travel receipts

• Copy of your passport

Work Permit

Everyone without a Swiss passport who works in Switzerland will need a work permit (usually a B permit). The application can be made once you start work at La Garenne and obtained from the police station in Villars for CHF 75, which will be paid by the school.

Accommodation

Villars becomes extremely busy as a tourist resort in the winter and summer months. As a result, reasonably priced long---term accommodation can be difficult to find. The Director will provide assistance in finding a suitable apartment or studio for those moving to Villars or the surrounding villages. The price of accommodation ranges between CHF 780 to CHF 1’800, depending largely on location and the number of bedrooms.

Meals

Staff can choose to organise their own meals (there is a staff room with a microwave, oven and a kettle) or they may eat lunchtime meals at school. The charge of CHF 150 is then deducted from the teacher’s salary at the end of each month.

Holidays

La Garenne employees are entitled to 13 weeks paid holiday a year--- usually 4 weeks at Christmas, 3 weeks at Easter, 5 weeks over the summer and 1 week for the October break. This may vary from year to year, giving the changing dates for Easter. There is a six-week summer camp; the teachers are expected to teach each morning from Monday to Saturday for four weeks. If a teacher works for the full six weeks, they will receive extra pay. If a teacher is unable to work during summer camp they will not receive a salary in July and August.

Absence due to illness

Every member of staff pays a contribution from their monthly salary towards sickness cover. This ensures that were they to have an accident or be ill, they would still be paid their full salary. A doctor’s certificate is needed if a member of staff is away from work for more than three days due to illness. Staff members are requested to contact the school early in the morning at the latest if they are unwell in order to ensure that there is adequate cover for their work. Teachers should leave cover work in the Academic Office, to be used in case of unexpected absence.

Dress Code

All members of staff are expected to dress appropriately for their work. For teachers and administration staff the dress code is smart (shirts with a collar, no blue jeans for example) and a dress code policy will be given upon arrival. For non---teaching staff work is often varied and requires comfortable and practical clothing.

Smoking Policy

We have a strict no smoking policy on the La Garenne site and when off---site with the pupils.

Salary

All the following deductions are paid directly from the teacher’s salary by the employer.

Cotisation AVS/AI/APG (5.15%)= Pensions and disability allowance

Contribution LPCFam (VD) (0.06%)= Swiss tax for poor families in the Canton

Cotisation AC1= (1.10%) Unemployment cover

Cotisation AANP (Code 11)=(1.214%) Cover if you have an accident when out of school

Cotisation AAC (Code 11)= (0.83%) the additional 20% of your salary in case of an accident Cotisation assurance IJM (Code 11) = 80% of salary to be paid in the case of illness & accident

Cotisation LPP = Private pension fund, depending on your age, family situation and profession. The private pension fund is to be transferred to a new account should an employee leave the school. It is your duty to do so.

Impot source canton=Taxes are between 8% --- 13% dependent on your family situation/marital status.

Taxes are subject to change each year.

Personal pensions may be reclaimed upon retirement in your own country depending on the inter---country agreement.

Health insurance is obligatory and costs between (CHF 220 and CHF 400) per month. We recommend you take out a policy for around CHF 280.

Private Lessons

Private lessons are available in many subject areas. Teachers are therefore able to earn supplementary income by providing these lessons at lunchtime or after school.

Subsidised education for your children

La Garenne offers the children of staff a subsidised place within the school (providing they are within the correct age bracket).

School Trips & Extra Duties

Staff are required to participate in occasional school trips and school events that might be outside their regular working hours. These are detailed in the Teachers’ Handbook.

Discounts

As a member of staff at La Garenne, you have a 10% discount at ‘Sports House’ and most clothes shops in Villars.

The teachers’ handbook and employment rules and regulations are given to staff once they begin working at La Garenne, these should be read and adhered to at all times.

Aspects to bear in mind…

Villars is a small village, but one that provides many facilities. For visits to the theatre, cinema etc. there are good tram and bus services down to and from where you can get direct trains to many towns and cities in Switzerland.

Free Access cards are available for the summer and provide a wide range of free activities in Villars and Diablerets.

The Centre des Sports is the village sports facility, offering a gym, tennis courts and a range of sports classes. There is also a swimming pool in the village, as well as an ice---skating rink and bowling alley.

Working at La Garenne is a fantastic opportunity to learn to speak French or improve your French. However, many people working in the shops and businesses in the town do speak English.

Teachers’ Benefits of working at La Garenne

ü To work with polite and hard working students who have many qualities and are a pleasure to teach

ü The opportunity to live and work in a beautiful area with great connections to the rest of Europe

ü A safe and secure environment in which to work

ü The numerous outdoor activities that are on offer (particularly as Villars is a renowned ski resort)

ü To work in a school with an excellent reputation

ü To teach small classes where the focus is on the individual student

ü An opportunity to learn or improve your French

ü To enjoy the varying activities that are on offer

ü To teach in modern classrooms with exceptional views and the latest technology

ü No duties in the boarding school

ü To have a certain freedom regarding the taught curriculum

ü Approximately 15 weeks annual holiday spread throughout the year

ü 4 weeks summer camp working only mornings. Possibility to work 2 extra weeks (remunerated).

ü Free use of the school gym

ü Professional development opportunities

ü Possibility to accompany the children on international cultural trips each year

ü Possibility to increase the monthly salary by providing private lessons

ü Annual ski pass offered by the school

ü Maternity allowance 100% of salary

ü Depending on availability, free tuition for teachers’ children

ü Assistance with relocation for new teachers

ü Final interviews held at the school at the school’s expense