SERVICE LEVEL OF AGREEMENT FOR TEACHERS

2016

1 PREREQUISITES: The employee must 1.1. be a holder of a recognised TEFL qualification and/or qualified teacher status for the secondary school age group with some EFL teaching experience; for example: • RSA/UCLES certificate in English language teaching to adults (CELTA) • Trinity College certificate in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) • RSA/UCLES diploma in English language teaching to Adults (DELTA) • Trinity College licentiate diploma in TESOL • PGCE with TEFL as a major component • MA/MSc in applied linguistics or TEFL with proof of at least 10 hours observed teaching Other equivalent qualifications may also be acceptable - these should consist of a minimum of four weeks (120 hours) full- time training plus 6 hours observed teaching practice. If this is your first employment with PLUS, copies of the above certificates must be sent to Head Office and original certificates must be seen by the Director of Studies or your Course Director. 1.2. be able to plan lessons effectively, appropriate to both the course objectives and the needs of students. 1.3. be able to implement teaching techniques appropriate for the objective and level of the course and for the needs of students. 1.4. be able to manage learning resources appropriately and effectively facilitate learning. 1.5. be able to manage learning activities and interactions which engage students. 1.6. be able to create a positive learning atmosphere within the classroom. 1.7. be able to use appropriate feedback and correction techniques.

2. PRECONDITIONS: the employee must 2.1. be committed to making the summer course a success for all concerned - the students, the group leaders, the Course Director, fellow teachers, the employer, and yourself. Energy, enthusiasm, team spirit, flexibility, the ability to work with and motivate young people, and a sympathetic yet serious attitude to teaching young foreigners are all necessary qualities for working on a summer English course. 2.2. We recommend you have access to a UK bank account. If this is not possible you will be liable for all bank charges incurred in making a payment to you and the exchange rate will be determined by the bank. Payment will be made after the centre closes. 2.3. All current holders of roles involving responsibility for or substantial access to under 18s, and all new appointees to such roles, will have appropriate suitability checks, for example with the Disclosure and Barring Service (in England and Wales) or Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (in Scotland) or Access NI (in Northern Ireland), or Police ‘Certificate of good conduct’ (outside the UK), in line with the organisation’s safeguarding policy. 2.4. provide the employer with the names of previous employers and understand that references WILL be followed up and will include a question asking specifically whether there is any reason that you should not be employed in situations where you have responsibility for, or substantial access to, persons under 16. References received must be satisfactory to the employer. Please note also that any gaps in CVs must be explained satisfactorily. 2.5. teach an average of 15 hours per week (but actual hours will depend on the timetable at your specific centre) and attend 1 teacher training workshop a week. Additional duties may involve external examination preparation lessons, exam invigilation or other administration tasks. Optional social activities constitute a 3 hour block and are allocated at the discretion of the Campus Manager and Course Director (in accordance with your teaching package). The programme is extremely important as students enjoy, and expect to spend, time outside of the class with their teachers. Failure to attend assigned activities could result in disciplinary action being taken. 2.6. confirm with the Course Director at least 10 days before the induction day your attendance at this meeting. 2.7. attend the induction day, and provide the Course Director with a passport-size photograph of yourself for display on the Tuition Board. The induction meeting normally takes place one day before the first teaching session. 2.8. (Residential Teachers only) be able to move into the centre no earlier than the day before your contract begins and live permanently on site until the end of your contract in the accommodation booked on your behalf by PLUS. You will be paid from your first teaching day or the Teachers’ Induction Day. N.B. Course dates may change slightly due to reasons beyond our control. You should therefore keep three or four days free on either side of the given course dates in case of changes. 2.9. Be able to vacate the provided accommodation on the last day of teaching if the lessons are in the morning or the next day if the last lessons are in the afternoon. 2.10. provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK (a valid in date passport will suffice). 2.11. become thoroughly familiar with the teacher's handbook, syllabus, and placement test, and examine the materials and other resources at the centre. Should the employee fail to carry out any of 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9 above, the employment offer may be withdrawn and the position offered to another teacher, or action may be taken under the disciplinary procedure.

3. GENERAL PROVISIONS: the employee must 3.1. maintain a smart and professional standard of dress: No shorts, informal t-shirts with logos or ripped clothing. Please consider that you are teaching teenage learners. You must wear your PLUS lanyard ID badge at all times while on duty and on campus. 3.2. maintain an appropriate, academic and professional atmosphere throughout the course. 3.3. maintain good timekeeping by being punctual for all classes and strictly adhering to the tuition and leisure activities timetables. 3.4. create a welcoming classroom atmosphere by displaying posters, student work etc. on the walls. 3.5. create a good working relationship with the group leaders, and students; where possible taking your meals with them and encouraging them to converse in English. 3.6. teach on any additional afternoon necessitated by staggered arrivals. 3.7. distribute and collect student questionnaires if and when requested to by the Campus Manager or Course Director. 3.8. attend the End of Course Diploma Ceremony, usually on the final day of each course. 3.9. return any borrowed texts and if required, assist in the packing up of the teaching and leisure resources and other materials at the end of the course.

SERVICE LEVEL OF AGREEMENT FOR TEACHERS

2016

4. THE STUDY COURSE: the employee must 4.1. attend the induction and bring your original qualification certificates to show the Course Director. 4.2. conduct a placement test, and teach an introductory lesson on the first morning. 4.3. mark the test and assist with class allocation on the first afternoon at the Course Director’s request. 4.4. attend a Teachers' Meeting 15 minutes prior to the start of teaching every day. 4.5. sign a teachers' register on arrival in the Teachers’ Room each day. 4.6. teach classes as required in accordance with the syllabus and using the guidelines and material provided by PLUS. Class times are usually each week day morning. These may be changed to suit local conditions. Lesson times must be strictly adhered to. 4.7. maintain a positive working relationship with the other teachers, the Course Director and other PLUS and local staff at the centre. 4.8. plan thoroughly all lessons following the PLUS syllabus in conjunction with a partner teacher. Lesson plans (blanks provided) must be made available to the Course Director, who will observe the employee teaching on several occasions. 4.9. complete a register of student attendance for each morning session and afternoon class and adhere to the Home Office determined rules on recording student attendance with particular regard to students who entered the UK on visas. 4.10. prepare and deliver a lesson focused on the excursion destination(s). 4.11. complete weekly student progress forms. 4.12. return the completed class progress registers to the Course Director at the end of each day. 4.13. thoroughly complete a certificate/report for each student and pass it to the Course Director who will arrange a presentation ceremony. 4.14. check entries in class for the Trinity College examinations within the first week of the course, and give information on these exams to students and their group leaders. 4.15. assist with the organisation, invigilation, administration and marking of any external examinations, morning or afternoon, if so directed. N.B. You are required to attend a teacher training workshop one afternoon per week held by the Course Director or his/her Assistant.

5. WELFARE AND STUDENT SERVICES: the employee must 5.1. assist students in case of sickness, as directed by the Campus Manager / First Aider. 5.2. become thoroughly familiar with communal areas, sports halls and equipment, venues, and resources for evening entertainment at the centre if contributing to the social programme. 5.3. be aware of arrangements for emergency and fire incidents, and participate fully in any subsequent fire drills and practices. 5.4. if offered or required to do social activities, be expected to work alongside the Leisure Organisers and assist them as much as possible. This normally consists of sports and optional cultural visits, with the assistance of the foreign Group Leaders. 5.5. when accompanying students on trips prepare and deliver information about any excursion destinations to the students, for example by using the on-board microphone on the coach helping them with any excursion worksheets and encouraging them to speak English.

6. PROCEDURES & POLICIES PLUS has the following documents in place:

Anti-Bullying Policy

Child Protection Policy

Disciplinary Procedure

Complaints Procedure

Health & Safety Policy

Physical Contact Policy

Positive Work Environment Policy

Shortage of Work Policy

Smoke-free Workplace Policy

Social Contact with Minors Policy These are all contained in the Teacher’s Handbook and/or Policies Handbook which you will receive shortly before you commence employment. You will be required to read and accept these at the Induction day.

7. SALARY, EXPENSES, BENEFITS 7.1. Employees are paid at the rates agreed in the contract and pro rata for shorter periods. The rates consist of basic pay is 87.93% and holiday pay 12.07% of the rate. All/any time not worked is unpaid. 7.2. Public holidays which fall within course dates are regarded as normal working days. The rate incorporates 12.07% for your holiday entitlement as per the Working Time Regulations 1998 (see 7.1 for rate analysis). 7.3. The employee must submit a P45 or complete a starter form (copies will be provided) before we can calculate your salary. 7.4. Salary payments: Employees are paid weekly (8 working days after the end of each week). 7.5. Employees will be paid in GBP (sterling) by BACS (UK bank accounts). 7.6. Any personal expenses incurred for extra activities must be authorised in advance and in writing by Head Office. The expense claim must have original receipts to support the expenditure. 7.7. Employees will only be paid for the number of hours/days specified in their contract. If for reasons beyond our control the course ends early, payment will only be made for those hours/days actually worked (unless you have worked over four weeks in which case you are entitled to a statutory notice period of one week). Additional hours worked will only be paid if written authorisation from Head Office has been given in advance. The employee must verify with the Course Director or the Campus Manager that the authority has been received. Occasionally there is a need for lessons to be taught in the afternoons as 'make-up lessons' due to students' staggered arrivals. Teachers who teach the afternoon IN ADDITION TO their morning teaching sessions will be paid for them at their hourly rate. 7.8. The period of employment specified in the temporary contract, does not contribute towards continuous employment when combined with any previous work with this employer. There is no obligation on the employer to offer further work to you, or obligation on you to accept such work as is offered.

SERVICE LEVEL OF AGREEMENT FOR TEACHERS

2016

8. ABSENCES Persistent lateness, unacceptable levels of absence and/or unauthorised absence will result in a disciplinary warning or dismissal and/or loss of payment, depending on the circumstances.

9. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT The employee acknowledges and agrees that if student numbers fall below expectations the employer shall have the absolute right to cancel the agreement at any given time on reasonable notice. Every effort will be made however by the employer to find and offer alternative employment to the employee.

10. COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE 10.1 If a teacher is unhappy or dissatisfied with any element of their employment, the following procedure should be taken. STAGE 1 In the event of a teacher having a complaint relating to his/ her programme he/ she should, in the first instance verbally discuss the problem with the Course Director on campus. The School will try to resolve the complaint. STAGE 2 If the problem persists the teacher should make a complaint in writing to a member of staff at PLUS’ Head Office, usually

the Director of Studies. The complaint will be recorded and referred to the Director of Studies. The Director will be expected to

report in writing to ABLS within 30 days of receipt by the Principal as to what action is proposed. The Principal will be expected to

report in writing within a further 30 days as to whether the action led to the resolution of the complaint. The School will try to

resolve the complaint.

STAGE 3— If the complaint between the teacher and PLUS cannot be resolved, then the teacher may take the complaint to the Accreditation Body for Language Services (ABLS), The Chief Inspector, PO BOX 316, Great Yarmouth NR 30 9EP.

11. LOCALISATION: FOR IRELAND ONLY 11.1. We recommend you have access to a Euro bank account. If this is not possible you will be liable for all bank charges incurred in making a payment to you and the exchange rate will be determined by the bank. Payment will be made after the centre closes. 11.2. Provide proof of eligibility to work in Ireland (A valid in date passport will suffice). 11.3. Employees are paid at the rate agreed in the contract and pro rata for shorter periods. The rates consist of basic pay is 92% and holiday pay 8% of the rate. All/any time not worked is unpaid. 11.4. Public holidays which fall within course dates are regarded as normal working days. The rate incorporates 8% for your holiday entitlement as per the (see 7.1 for rate analysis). The employee must provide their PPSN. If you will not have a P45 you should submit Form 12a to your tax office as soon as possible, so we can received a Tax Clearance Certificate from the Revenue. Our employer’s registration number is 3275181WH. 11.5. Employees are paid monthly. 11.6. Employees will be paid in Euro directly to their bank account.