Director of Studies (DoS) Job Description
Title: Director of Studies (DoS)
Job Type: Residential, Full-Time
Reports to: Academic Manager
Responsible for: ADoS, Teachers, Students and Group Leaders
Country: United Kingdom
Dates: 27th June to 30th July 2026
Location: London King’s, London Uxbridge, Reading,, Dover, Oxford, Edinburgh
Mission Statement
Move Language Ahead is committed to providing industry leading safe, educational, and cultural programmes to students from around the world.
Students, families, and agents from around the world have chosen MLA for the quality of our language courses, for the established trust of our brand, and for the meticulous attention to detail in our packages. The MLA formula for a summer centre is a unique blend of many full‑day and half‑day excursions, an amazing activity programme and specialised language path. In this way we have broken the barriers of the traditional summer language course.
Welfare and Safeguarding Statement
MLA is committed to the welfare and safeguarding of children, young people and adults at risk. All students should expect to feel safe within all areas of our seasonal programme. The primary concern at all times is the interests and safety of each student and the organisation takes all reasonable steps to protect children from harm, discrimination or degrading treatment and to uphold their rights.
MLA staff working with young learners will all go through our safer recruitment process including online or face‑to‑face interviews, record checks of references and background checks, in line with the country’s regulations, to ensure they are able to work with young people, provide evidence of qualifications and work experience as part of the process and according to our Safeguarding Policy, Preventing Sexual Harassment and Prevent Policy.
Position Overview
- Ensure the planning, delivery and smooth running of the academic programme
- Monitor effective completion of all tasks
- Allocate students to classes and make changes if necessary
- Assign level and material to classes
- Organise inductions, and CPD sessions for teachers and Group Leaders
- Represent MLA values
- Report to the Academic Manager
- 6 days per week (Monday to Saturday)
- Residential employment includes all meals and accommodation
Position duration: 4 weeks, 27th June to 30th July 2026. Possibility of extension in some centres.
The post of Director of Studies is a senior position, and the successful candidate will be a member of the school’s management structure. The holder has the key task of leading and managing the academic life of the centre, and plays a crucial role in whole‑school strategy and development. You will inspire teachers to deliver high‑quality, communicative Task‑Based EFL lessons promoting the welfare of students and adhere to, and comply with the MLA Safeguarding Policy. DoSs are also responsible for communicating with the Centre Director and Group Leaders about academic related matters. Summer centres are very busy places and there may be duties to perform in addition to those detailed here.
Requirements
Essential
- Must have a UK passport/right to work in the UK, and a valid DBS (England & Wales) or PVG (Scotland). If you’re based outside the UK, also a Criminal Record Check from your country of residence
- Proven suitability to work with students under 18: at least 2 references
- EFL experience teaching teenagers
- Be proficient in the use of IT
- DELTA / Trinity DipTESOL / MA TESOL completed (or in progress if you have a TEFL Level 5 certificate)
- PGCE or PGCE PCET: Post Graduate Certificate in Education with ELT/TESOL
- PGCE in English or Foreign Languages or DELTM plus a TEFL Level 5 certificate (CELTA / Trinity CertTESOL or equivalent Ofqual recognised standards)
- Master’s degrees (MA/MSc etc) in ELT/TESOL or related subjects are also accepted but cannot be considered without a supervised teaching practice component
Desirable
- EFL Summer School Teaching/Managerial experience in Ireland or the UK
- Teacher Management experience
- Teacher Training experience
- Enhanced DBS/PVG registered on the Update Service
- First Aid Qualification
Person Specification
- Ability to develop positive relationships with students, earning their trust whilst maintaining proper professional boundaries
- Display absolute commitment to the highest standards of professional behaviour and, at all times, to promoting the welfare and safeguarding of children
- Excellent communication skills (verbal, written and interpersonal)
- Be committed to continuous personal and professional development
- Team player
- Motivate and inspire teachers sensitively and constructively and, where necessary, challenge colleagues assertively
- Self‑motivated and passionate about driving up standards in management, teaching and learning
- Be determined, well‑organised and extremely hard‑working
- Ability to work accurately and calmly, and show resilience when under pressure
- Be supportive and help staff with the use of IT
- Ability to provide creative ideas to supplement programme curriculum to facilitate learning
- Be willing and able to contribute to the wider extracurricular and pastoral life of a summer school
- Customer orientated approach: highly aware of cultural sensitivities. Communicate clearly and persuasively with Group Leaders and students to ensure procedures are followed
- Ready to initiate and manage change, where necessary
Schedule
Residential DoS contracts a 6‑day week with one 24‑hour period off per week are based on up to 42 working hours over a 7‑day session with one day off per week. You will not be required to go on excursions, join activities or any pastoral care outside your duties. However, MLA programmes are hard work, and you might be requested to assist outside your working hours to ensure the smooth running of the centre. Please note that due to the logistics of the employment, you may be required to be moved to another centre where extra staff are required, in which case we will cover all the travel expenses that may be incurred.
Key Position Accountabilities
Academics in the centre
- Take overall responsibility for all aspects of teaching and learning within the school
- Develop and implement MLA’s educational philosophy and foster a culture of best practice
- Manage the MLA Boards software and keep all records up‑to‑date
- Be available to Group Leaders, listen carefully and respectfully, and accommodate their requests as much as possible while ensuring MLA procedures are followed
- Be flexible and aware of cultural differences when explaining academic decisions/procedures to Group Leaders
- Advise the Academic Manager on all academic matters in the centre and request assistance from Head Office
- Attend any management training or meetings as required
- Support the Centre Director and work collaboratively with Centre Administrator and Activity Manager to ensure the successful running of the centre and programme when necessary; including assisting in the staff induction and take an active part in discussion and feedback
- Promote and develop the academic curriculum and academic life of the school
- Complete all administrative tasks required efficiently
- Centre and classroom set‑up
- Manage student admissions and monitor arrangements for placement tests
- Cover lessons when necessary and motivate students to improve their learning skills
- Organise certificates and graduation ceremony
Staff Management
- Lead and manage the Academic Team in the centre by encouraging, supporting and challenging teachers and ADoSs to maintain MLA’s high academic standards
- Ensure there is a clear communication channel with staff and have an open door policy
- Monitor staff performance and teachers prompt completion of all administrative tasks required
- Ensure teachers prepare lessons and adapt material/stages to their class composition
- Chair academic meetings in the centre
- Be the first port of call for any teacher in need of advice or support
- Cover for absent staff; arrange cover for absent staff: record and monitor all absences
- Supervise the preparation of student reports within agreed deadlines
- Inform the Academic Manager of all Continuous Professional Development programmes and academic needs in the centre
- Delegate tasks to the ADoS with necessary support and guidance
Training & CPD
- Support teachers in delivering the Task‑Based learning syllabus
- Work with the ADoS in designing all Continuous Professional Development programmes
- Carry out inductions
- If TEFLQ, carry out formal observations and appraisals in line with the MLA observation guidelines and rubric
- Inspire and encourage teachers to deliver CPD sessions for teachers and Group Leaders in relation to the centre needs
- Complete all required pre‑employment training
- Attend the in‑person induction training and take an active part in discussions
- Read and understand MLA policies sent during the recruitment process
- Read, understand and adhere to the guidelines set out in your Handbook
- Be open to feedback during appraisals and set your own developmental goals for you to work on during your time with MLA
- Request guidance on and actively seek professional development to improve your skills
Administration
- Assist the Academic Manager with student admissions, monitor and manage arrangements for entrance testing and assessment
- Oversee the allocation of staff in consultation with the Academic Manager
- Oversee the timetabling and administration of preparation
- Monitor live updates of student attendance on the MLA Boards and Teacher Zone
- Supervise the completion of up‑to‑date teaching records on the MLA Boards and Teacher Zone
- Supervise the preparation of student’s reports and/or course reports within agreed deadlines and ensure they are professional and free of typos
- Provide cover teaching when necessary
Liaising
- Develop a good business relationship with the college/university
- Support the Centre Director/Academic Manager to ensure grievance and disciplinary procedures are adhered to
- Provide support for all direct reports and subordinates when necessary
- Use company‑provided communication channels for all business correspondences including company email and phone
- Develop and maintain open lines of communication with Group Leaders
- Support the MLA Academic Team at other centres when required
Equipment & Facilities
- Maintain and monitor teaching resources and premises
- Ensure teachers’ room and classrooms are left secure and tidy after use
- Ensure borrowed equipment has been returned
- Help develop, advance and expand teaching resources
Safeguarding & Welfare
- Promoting the welfare of students and adhere to, and comply with the MLA Safeguarding Policy
- Provide safety and welfare assistance to students
- Be vigilant for possible welfare problems of students
- Inform your DoS of any absences from classes immediately
- Report any issues which may be affecting students’ safety, wellbeing and academic performance
- Be aware of relevant fire, health and safety issues in the classroom and around the centre
Compensation
From GBP 650 to GBP 680 per week, plus 12.07% holiday pay (GBP 728.45 to GBP 762)
- Residential rates include full board and lodging
- Paid training and induction
- Work as part of a strong team and gain experience
- Opportunities for professional development e.g., observations, team teaching
*Returning staff will receive a bonus of GBP 150 after completing their full contract.
*Please note that due to the logistics of the employment, you may be required to move to another centre where extra staff are required. Only in this case will we cover all the travel expenses that may be incurred.
MLA Reputation & Code of Conduct
- MLA Staff Code of Conduct
- Actively support MLA in its mission to provide top quality programmes
- Provide courses that will support and enable the students to realise their potential and achieve their academic targets
- Comply with management requests to follow the guidelines of external organisations such as British Council in a timely and accurate manner
- Be dressed in a presentable professional way
- Start on time, if this is not possible you must inform your manager as early as possible
- Develop a good rapport with the students and Group Leaders and avoid absences as much as possible
- Follow the code of conduct specifically detailed in your Handbook
MLA Equality Statement
MLA Move Language Ahead is an equal opportunity employer dedicated to excellence through diversity and does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, marital status, being pregnant or on maternity leave, race (including ethnic or national origin, nationality and colour), disability, sexual orientation or expression, religion, beliefs, or any other non‑job‑related criteria.
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