GAP STUDENT JOB DESCRIPTION Merchiston International School (MIS) in Shenzhen is the first overseas campus of Merchiston Castle School, a top-ranked independent school located in Edinburgh, Scotland, U.K. with a glorious history of over 185 years. MIS is also Shenzhen’s first international school providing a British international education and boarding system. Located in Longhua District in the north of Shenzhen city, MIS occupies an area of 20,000 square metres and provides a building area of 50,000 square metres, which can accommodate 1,200 students with a maximum class size of 22 students. The school will open its doors to students aged 5-18 (Years 1 to 13) for the first time in August 2018. English is the primary language of instruction in MIS. Students from Years 1 to 9 study the English National Curriculum, with additional access to Mandarin (Putonghua) language learning as part of the core curriculum. Students from Years 10 to 13 study for IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) examinations and GCE (General Certificate of Education) A Level examinations The curriculum aims to prepare our students thoroughly for their future studies in world-renowned universities across the globe and, at the same time, to facilitate their access into China’s society. Adopting Merchiston Castle School’s ethos, MIS features a wide range of co-curricular activities. We nurture our students and develop their talents in a diverse range of interests such as music, drama, art, science and technology; as well as mainstream sports including football, swimming, basketball, tennis and rugby. We also provide opportunities for adventure and outdoor activities such as, golf among others. MIS is a boarding school that implements the highest standards of pastoral care, food quality and safety and provides first class accommodation with a high level of support and services to guarantee a healthy, secure, happy, comfortable and richly fulfilling campus life. The school campus provides an unparalleled educational space for teaching, learning and boarding accommodation. Impressive facilities include a library, integrated science laboratories, a black box theatre, an indoor swimming pool, a fitness suite, and tastefully landscaped areas. These ensure that our school integrates an exciting and adventurous campus life with large and open academic spaces for all students and teaching staff. Directly responsible to: The Headmaster (Overall responsibility) The Director of Boarding and Head of Pastoral Care (Line Manager) Relevant teachers, depending on the lesson/activity/event The personal qualities we would expect a Gap Student to be include: Self confident Outgoing Friendly Enthusiastic In good health Willing to learn Willing to take on responsibility under supervision. Adaptable Interested in integration into school life Strong and interested in at least one area of boarding school life. Purpose of job: To assist in the educational support, management and supervision of students and to lead certain activities under the guidance of the relevant teacher. To support members of the administrative and boarding staff. To share in the corporate responsibility for the pastoral care, well-being and discipline of all students at Merchiston International School with reference both to the school’s commitment to Child Protection and Safeguarding Policies and to the school’s core values as stated in the MIS Handbook. The applicant should be interested in learning about Chinese culture and be prepared to learn but to take on responsibility under supervision. The applicant will be assigned to a department where their skills can be used and help is needed. Possibilities are the Library, Art department, Music department, PE department, EAL, SEN, IT department, Admissions and Marketing or the Theatre. They will work in one or two of these departments during the weekday mornings and help with our extensive CCA programme in the afternoon. The applicant will also be expected to be fully involved in the boarding life of the school and as such will undertake some duties and potentially run some activities. The applicant is required to: Act as a member of the School staff team; Contribute to the positive image of the school in the community; Attend relevant in-service training; Be aware of school procedures, especially those contained in the staff handbook; Be aware of confidential issues linked to home/student/teacher/school work and to keep confidences appropriately Terms of Employment Hours: This a seven-day-a-week school and as such the applicant will follow the same flexible commitment as all members of staff working in the boarding community. They will undertake two evening duties in the boarding house per week and occasional weekend evening duties also. The term of the contract will be for a whole academic year (late August to end of June the following year) or January to June in the same year. Holidays: These will follow the same as the school holidays for staff. Term dates can be found on the school website www.merchiston.cn Accommodation: A fully equipped shared apartment will be provided in one of the boarding houses or an individual en-suite bedroom in one of the boarding houses. All utility bills will be paid by the school. Remuneration: Pay will be 100RMB per day of the contract time. Benefits: The applicant will be entitled to three free meals a day provided by the school and will have use of the school’s sporting and fitness facilities free of charge. Transport: The applicant will be responsible for funding their own air flights to Hong Kong International Airport or Shenzhen Airport. The school will supply an airport pick up service for the first arrival in the contract. Visa: The applicant will cover all visa costs but the school will supply administrative support in this area and throughout the application process. Dress: The applicant will at times be required to dress smartly. School sports clothing (not trainers) will be supplied. Application process: Applicants should submit a full CV/resume to [email protected] with a covering letter explaining why they would like to work as a Gap Student at Merchiston International School, Shenzhen and what makes them an ideal candidate. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for a web interview before a decision is made. Applicants who require any further information about this role should contact [email protected] (Director of Boarding and Pastoral Care) who will be more than happy to assist. .