| Frequently
Asked Questions |
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Do I need a work permit to work in the UK?
I'm not available for the whole duration of the summer, can I still apply?
How long do contracts last?
Will I have to move centres?
I am newly qualified; can I still apply for a teaching position?
Do I need to complete an application form?
Who can I put down as referees?
What happens once you have received my application?
What happens if I am successful?
What happens on Induction Day?
Are there any benefits for returning staff?
How/when will I be paid ?
I don't have a UK bank account. What can I do?
I live abroad. What tax forms do I need to complete?
What are the rates of pay?
How much holiday pay are we entitled to?
What is included in residential positions?
Is parking available?
What do I need to bring?
What course materials are available?
What is a CRB Disclosure and how do I get one?
What is a Certificate of Good Conduct? (COGC)
What is the dress code?
Do I need to be a good sports player and know all the rules of the game?
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Do I need a work permit to work in the UK? |
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If
you are not an EU citizen you will need a permit to work
in the UK. You must be in possession of a valid work permit before you apply with us. Please supply a copy of this permit with your application form.
SHSH is unable to sponsor work permit applications. Useful
websites:
www.ukvisas.gov.uk,
www.dfee.gov.uk,
www.teachernet.gov.uk,
www.workpermits.gov.uk
If you are a national
of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania,
Poland, Slovakia, or Slovenia and working for more than
4 weeks, you will need to register under the Workers Registration
Scheme. Please note that we are unable to process this for
you and that this is your responsibility. For more information,
visit
http://www.workingintheuk.gov.uk/working_in_the_uk/en/homepage/schemes_and_programmes/worker_registration.html |
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| I
am not available for the whole duration of the summer, can
I still apply? |
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We
accept applications from applicants who are not available
for the whole summer. Most of the short contracts are available
in the last two weeks of July. Unfortunately we are unable to
offer contracts to those only available in August. |
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| How
long do contracts last? |
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The
majority of contracts are 4-6 weeks long. This can vary
according to the centre and there is a possibility for contracts
to be extended during the summer. There are a limited number
of 7-8 week contracts available. |
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| Will
I have to move centres? |
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Stafford
House Study Holidays endeavours to keep teachers at their
original centre. However due to circumstances beyond our
control we may require staff to move to another centre,
but we ask for volunteers wherever possible. Travel costs for this
would be covered. |
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| I
am newly qualified; can I still apply for a teaching position? |
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| Yes.
SHSH offers a strong support system for teachers. Each centre
has an experienced Director of Studies and at least one senior
teacher to help and advise on all aspects of teaching, including
lesson planning. Furthermore, they will hold weekly teacher
development sessions which will reflect the needs of all of
the teachers. You
would also do what is called 'pair teaching' where you would
be partnered with a more experienced teacher who can give
advice and support. There are two teaching periods in every session and you would swap classes in the second period, and
he/she would be teaching your class in the second period.
Finally, we have a tried and tested syllabus which you would follow. This means that you would not need to think up or create
any lessons; rather you would be spending time on making
the lesson relevant to your students and this reduces the
need for lengthy lesson planning.
For a full run-down of the application process
click here |
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Do
I need to complete an application form? |
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Yes.
All sections must be completed in full (including a full
employment history, with gaps in employment accounted for
e.g. unemployment) . CVs can be sent in addition to an application
form, but are not acceptable on their own.
For a full run-down of
the application process click
here |
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Who
can I put down as referees? |
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We will need the details of at least two professional referees,
preferably those who can be contacted with regard to your
suitability to work with children. One of them should be
your current or previous employer or college tutor. We are
unable to accept character references, or references from
friends or family.
We will need their full contact details- first name and
surname, address, telephone number, fax and e mail address.
It is possible that we will contact referees prior to your
interview; please make sure they are aware we have their
details.
For a full run-down of
the application process click here |
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| What
happens once you have received my application? |
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If
you are successful we will contact you either by phone or
email, within one month of receiving your application. Interviews
are usually conducted by telephone and last approximately
20-30 mins. They normally take place from March- June. We
will also arrange some interviews in London for management
positions - dates to be announced. For a full run-down of
the application process click
here |
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| What
happens if I am successful? |
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You
will be sent a pack containing a contract and joining information.
All
employment offers are subject to the receipt of satisfactory
references however, and a contract is issued subject to
this. When you return your signed contract, please include
copies of all certificates (e.g. lifesaving, first aid,
teaching, degree, CRB, COGC).
The
first date on your contract will be an induction day at
the centre. You are expected to arrive by 7pm on the evening prior to your start date. Contact details and directions to the centre
will be posted on our website in May.
For a full run-down of
the application process click here |
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What happens on
Induction Day? |
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For non management staff: The evening prior to the first day of your contract will be dedicated to getting to know the centre and the staff. It will be fairly informal and will be your chance to bond with the other staff members.
The induction day will start at 9.00 am the next morning, and will be divided into several sections. Each member of staff will be given a general induction, which will provide an overview of the proceedings, cover health and safety issues and financial matters.
After
this, staff will be briefed on their specific roles, duties
and requirements in a job-specific induction. Lastly, a
site tour will be provided, and you will have an opportunity
to familiarise yourself with locations.
For management staff
Management staff will be required to attend the Management Training Weekend, usually the third or fourth weekend in June, where full training will be given. Travel costs will be reimbursed and details of the maximum amount we will cover will be stated on the invitation. Full board and accommodation will be provided.
For further information about induction
day, see our page on starting
work for Stafford House |
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Are there any benefits for returning staff? |
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Staff who return to Stafford House Study Holidays for two or more summers are eligible for a loyalty bonus, as we anticipate that returning members of staff will share their knowledge with new colleagues. Staff who worked for us in the previous year have to complete a brief, fast track application form and there is no formal interview needed. |
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How/when will I be paid? |
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All
SHSH employees are
paid either into a UK bank account (this can be your
own account or you can nominate someone else's UK bank account)
or by cheque only. We can pay by bank transfer
if you pay the cost yourself. We do not pay in cash.
Our payroll is two weekly and holiday pay is paid in the
final payroll of the summer.
At each centre we have various tax forms available and it
is the employee's responsibility to ensure these are completed
fully and returned before the first payroll |
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I
don't have a UK bank account. What can I do? |
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is possible to open a bank account if you aren't a UK resident,
but not all banks will do it - it's worth approaching several
banks to find out what they will do. If they will let you
open an account, you will need your passport/ID card and a
proof of UK address, for which we can supply a letter. Once
you've opened a bank account, you will probably be able to
leave it open when you leave the country, so that if you come
back you already have an account available. If
you don't have an account, please refer to 'How/when
will I be paid?' |
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I live abroad. What
tax forms do I need to complete? |
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are two tax forms for people arriving in the UK (form P86)
and for leaving the country (P85). These allow the Inland
Revenue to work out your tax properly, and the P85 will start
the process of claiming back any tax refunds due to you.
You
will also have to fill out a P46 form when you start work,
which just tells the tax office if you have a National Insurance
number and a tax code. If you haven't got an NI number a
temporary one will be generated until you apply for a permanent
one (see your local tax office), and you will go onto the
basic tax code. These forms can be downloaded from the Customs
and Revenue website at: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk.
Copies are also available at the centres. |
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What are the rates of pay? |
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For non-management rates of pay click here. For management salaries, please read the relevant job description. |
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How much holiday pay are we entitled to? |
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Holiday
pay is based on 24 days per year.
This is calculated as a payment in lieu of 10.16% of your total
salary for the period. This amount is paid in full on the
completion of your contract, usually in the final payroll
of the summer. |
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What is included in residential positions? |
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Single
rooms are provided for residential staff at the majority
of our centres. Full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner)
is provided. Bed linen is provided at each centre but you
will need to bring your own towels. |
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Is parking available? |
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Parking
is available at most sites but please check before bringing
your car. |
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| What
do I need to bring? |
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Teachers
need to bring their original teaching certificates and degree
certificates with them to the centre. All staff must have
their passports (showing valid work permit, if applicable) and any other relevant certificates (e.g.
first aid). All staff with valid CRB disclosures and/or
COGC (with translation) must bring the original copies of
these to the centre.
Teachers are welcome
to bring their own materials and books to supplement the
existing syllabus. |
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| What
course materials are available? |
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We have our own in-house workbooks for each level which focus on speaking, listening, vocabulary and British culture. This is supplemented by activities from published materials, as well as project work. We expect the syllabus to be followed, but there is also the opportunity for you to personalise the lessons according to the students’ needs. Each centre has its own extensive library of published resource books which you may use to supplement your lessons.
A
wide range of teaching materials is also provided at each
centre, ranging from pens, markers and paper to CD
players. |
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| What is a CRB Disclosure and how do I get one? |
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A CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) Disclosure is a document that allows employers to identify candidates who may be unsuitable for certain work, especially work that involve children or vulnerable adults. A Criminal Records Bureau Enhanced Disclosure will be sought for every member of the management team. Non-management staff will be notified if they have been selected for Enhanced Disclosure. We will pay the costs for this.
Because of the sensitive nature of the duties that successful applicants will be expected to undertake, all successful applicants will be required to complete a confidential declaration to include details of any criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands, final warnings and any other information that may have a bearing on their suitability for the post.
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What
is a Certificate of Good Conduct? (CoGC) |
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If
you have been working overseas for the past two years, we
advise you to obtain a Certificate of Good Conduct from
your local municipal authority (i.e. Town Hall, Embassy
or Police) where you are registered in the Municipal Personal
Records Database. We would also require a certified translation
into English. Should you require further information
click here |
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Are
travel costs to the centre covered? |
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are unable to cover initial travel costs for any members of
staff. If we have to move someone to another centre during
their contract, then these costs will of course be covered.
However, if we offer any contract extensions at alternative
centres, the cost of travelling would not be reimbursed. |
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Is
there a dress code? |
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As
you are in a position of responsibility for the care and
education of minors we expect you to use your common sense
in your choice of attire. Torn jeans, shorts or revealing
clothing are unacceptable. Company T-Shirts must be worn
on all transfers and excursions. |
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Stafford House Study Holidays
