Middle School Humanities Teacher

Shanghai United International School has over a dozen schools in Shanghai, as well as four other schools in locations within mainland China. 

Hongqiao Middle School Campus is in enviably close proximity to the city centre of Shanghai. Our purpose built campus, which opened in 2020 has rapidly expanded, doubling in size from 250 students in Grade 6 in the 2020-21 academic year to 730 students in grades 6-8 (ENC 7-9) this academic year. We also maintain close links with our Primary and High School campuses.

Hongqiao Middle School is a well-resourced, private school catering to both Chinese and expatriate students. We have a large expatriate teaching body, and the school leadership team is a co-leadership system, comprised of a British Head Teacher and a Chinese Head Teacher.

As a school we pride ourselves on professional development opportunities. We run regular training in P4C, Cambridge and training from other external providers. Our organization also provide two free school places for dependents alongside competitive salary, housing, flight and medical benefits. 

We are looking for the following subject specialist to join our expanding team.

Humanities Teacher (History or Geogrpahy)

MAIN PURPOSE

To assume responsibility for teaching Humanities in the Middle School, under the direction of the Head of Department, the Head of Curriculum and the Heads of School, following our the English National Curriculum and Cambridge KS3 objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The successful candidate will play a key role in the development of the Humanities Curriculum at SUIS Hongqiao Middle School. The school is looking for a candidate who would relish the challenge of enhancing our, already first-rate, Humanities Department.

The teacher will ensure that the subject is delivered in a way that provides coverage, progression and continuity by effectively working within a team. The teacher will also be required to carry out other such duties as the Heads of School, Head of Curriculum or Heads of Department may reasonably direct from time to time. He/she is expected to display the highest standards of professionalism in his/her teaching and in his/her relationships with colleagues and parents.

The teacher must ensure that an excellent academic environment is provided for the learning of Humanities, and that the students develop a positive attitude to the subject within the School. The teacher must present lessons in a structured and coordinated manner with due regard to the ability of the students and the curriculum targets of the particular year group.

Teaching and Learning

1. Contribute to the holistic well-being of all pupils and specifically to those assigned to your individual care.

2. Teach Humanities lessons independently.

3. Undertake registration duties and minor pastoral duties in the morning as a form tutor. 

4. Complete teaching plans on time and to a high standard through collaboration with other members of the Humanities Department.

5. Participate in co-planning meetings with international and Chinese teachers. Contribute ideas during discussions.

6. Constantly monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of your own teaching, maintaining good standards of practice and ensuring progression. Work collaboratively and effectively with your team.

7. Participate fully in the Staff Appraisal system, with classroom observations of colleagues and a willingness to be personally observed within the classroom. Submit books, records or planning as required for monitoring by colleagues or the Head of Humanities

9. Be involved in developing, implementing and monitoring all school policies regarding Humanities, and to assist in the necessary documentation pertaining to the subject, where required by the Head of Humanities.

10. Assist with the resourcing of ICT for the Middle School, and work with the Head of Humanities and the leadership team in drawing up the annual order.

11. Consistently, and diligently, apply the rules of the school in order to maintain discipline, standards of dress and to safeguard the happiness, safety and well-being of all students. To ensure that students know, understand and follow the school rules.

12. Provide opportunities for the wider-community to be involved in our day-to-day school lives.

Home-School communication

1. Make parents feel welcome and build good relationship with parents.

2. Introduce information regarding the Humanities curriculum.

3. Collect information of pupils’ interests and growth from parents.

4. Provide consultations and support to parents’ enquiries.

5. Share students’ information provided by parents with Heads of Grade and other teachers who teach the student.

6. Attend Parents’ Meetings as required and provide accurate, honest information regarding the progress of individuals in Humanities.

7. Report to the parents in the form of regular reports, and when may be additionally required by the Heads of School.

Professional Integrity

1. Be positive and build good relationship with colleagues.

2. Complete tasks on time.

3. Provide cover for absent colleagues as and when deemed necessary by the leadership team.

4. Play a full role in the weekly extra-curricular activities programme. The programme will take place outside of the prescribed teaching hours, but within school hours, as directed by the Heads of School and the ECA coordinator.

5. Make a contribution to school assemblies, and newsletters, and by so doing highlight the work carried out by students in the subject.

6. Promote an ethos of equality and equal opportunities for all pupils within the setting.

7. Protect privacy of pupils, pupils’ families and colleagues.

8. Maintain the highest standards of care, child protection and safeguarding at all times.

9. Emphasize the importance of safety, and of safe methods of working, in the classroom, and indeed in all areas of the school and the curriculum. Communicate to the students that they must have a responsible attitude to equipment and materials, with which they have been provided, and that they will be disciplined, and possibly charged, for damage inflicted upon school property.

10. Carry out duties in the School as required and timetabled by the Heads of School. This will include some break time supervision and lunchtime supervision.

11. Maintain, with the rest of the teaching staff, high standards of conduct both in and out of the classroom. Act always in a way that conforms to the school ethos and values, and is in the best interests of the students.

12. Set high expectations and standards for the achievement of pupils and your personal performance.

13. Contribute as fully as possible to the annual calendar of school events, in whatever way possible.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education: Bachelor’s degree and teaching certificate

Major: Humanities or related education majors

Language: English speaker

Working Experience : A minimum of 2 years working experience in teaching Humanities post qualification.

EXPERTISE

 Knowledge of Humanities teaching

PREFERRED APTITUDES

 Be able to assess pupils’ interests, needs and developments

 Be able to develop curriculum

 Open, proactive, patient and caring

 Proficiency with Microsoft and Apple Computers

 Experience of the English National Curriculum either domestically or internationally is preferred

Please email us your CV and cover letter, to olivera@suis.com.cn  and indicate the position you are applying for in the subject header.