Director of Studies (DOS) in Glasgow

Join to apply for the Director of Studies (DOS) role at St Andrew's College Language Schools. Positions available in Glasgow, Paisley, Edinburgh, Ayr, Stirling, London, Chatham (Kent), Canterbury, Bognor Regis (West Sussex), Brighton, Colchester, Gloucester, Keele and Dublin.

Total Salary: £786.74 – £894.32 (including holiday pay). Accommodation Included. Duration: Summer 2026. Reports to: The St. Andrew's College Language Schools' Senior Management Team.

Essential Requirements

• Educated to degree level (Level 6) + Cambridge DELTA or Trinity College London, Dip TESOL or PGCE TEFL/TESOL or a taught post‐graduate course (MA equivalent) in TEFL/TESOL, including at least 6 hours of supervised teaching practice (TEFLQ Status).
• At least 3 years' full‐time EFL experience.
• Awareness of the responsibilities of working with students who are under the age of 18.
• Computer literate and able to deal with large amounts of data.
• Able to adapt quickly to change.

Desirable Requirements

• Excellent communication skills, both written and spoken.
• More than three years' full‐time EFL experience.
• Proven competence in academic leadership.
• Proven people management skills.
• Proven competence in administration.
• Smart personal appearance.

Job Overview

The Director of Studies is responsible for the implementation and administration of all aspects of the academic programme, including the management of the teaching team and their performance. This is a management position and you should therefore expect a demanding workload.

Working Hours

42‐hour working week (range 5‐6 days, including Saturdays at 6‐day campuses).

The Role of a DOS

• Ensuring the safety and welfare of all students at all times.
• With the other members of the on‐campus management team, ensuring that a high‐quality, collegiate programme is delivered, following our guidelines, integrating lessons and activities where possible.
• Overall Management of the academic programme and teaching team, ensuring it is of the highest standard possible, so students derive the maximum benefit from their course.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Welfare, Safeguarding and Health and Safety

• Read and understand the staff handbook and be fully conversant with our policies for the welfare and protection of students.
• Inducted to at least level 2 safeguarding.
• Implement and monitor all St Andrew's College Language Schools Health & Safety policies.
• Identify First Aid personnel and follow First Aid policies.
• Implement the Emergency Action Plan and Fire Safety regulations.
• Apply St. Andrew's College rules and campus‐specific regulations, sharing them with students and staff.
• Maintain a record of all welfare, safeguarding and Health and Safety problems, solutions and outcomes per guidelines.

Student Experience

• Use Google Drive to record, organise and manage the academic programme, including classing students, allocating classes and classrooms, creating class lists, registers and communicating with teachers and Senior Management Team.
• Use the Master Spreadsheet to record and organise student data and information and plan and process intakes.

Placement Tests

• Liaise with Centre Manager regarding location, format and welcoming speeches.
• Collate pre‐arrival test results to set up level test and holding classes.
• Provide clear guidance to staff on delivering the placement test.
• Organise professional monitoring of placement tests.
• Organise efficient marking of placement tests.
• Organise teaching of temporary testing classes while placement tests are being marked, using provided teaching materials.
• Liaise with Group Leaders to clarify the holistic testing process and how results inform classing decisions.

Classing Students

• Create class lists and registers of no more than 18 students based on placement test results.
• Ensure students know their class promptly per guidelines.
• Liaise with Group Leaders to approve class lists.
• Maintain accurate daily class lists and classroom registers.
• Monitor online class attendance within the first ten minutes of class per guidelines.
• Follow up on any concerns on the online class register.
• Check that lesson logs are completed after each class.
• Provide up‐to‐date teaching and learning information for students, clients and staff.

Student Certificates

• Organise, advertise and lead the Students Certificate/Graduation ceremony as directed.
• Confirm names by checking with group leaders before printing.
• Print and distribute certificates, sending backup PDFs to group leaders/agents as directed.
• Return students' books.

Student Records

• Complete documentation and maintain proper student records as required.
• Manage Risk Assessment Forms for 'out‐of‐class' lessons.
• Complete any other paperwork required due to changing circumstances.

Management of Teaching and Learning Team

• Teach when necessary (teacher absence, sickness, insufficient student numbers).
• Represent St Andrew's College Language Schools positively in all conversations with clients, staff and the host centre.
• Lead the Academic Staff Induction Day, usually one or two days prior to student arrival, following company guidelines.

Meetings and Working Environment

• Run and record staff meetings and optional sessions.
• Daily meeting for everyday updates.
• Weekly meeting for whole team feedback.
• Individual meetings as required for appraisal.
• Facilitate weekly Teacher Development workshops and meetings.
• Maintain a functional teacher room/office environment.
• Communicate essential information to teaching team and campus staff.
• Keep resources organised and inventoried.
• Provide a safe, hospitable and inclusive environment for staff.
• Monitor and be responsible for all academic resources and equipment.
• Manage distribution, organisation and stock‐taking of students and teachers' books.
• Packing and returning all stock and equipment at the end of contract/summer term.

Maintaining Staff Records

• Maintain accurate staff records in accordance with company guidelines.
• Create accurate and up‐to‐date staff rotas/timetables.
• Update staff personnel files and maintain confidentiality.
• Log weekly staff hours.
• Log and maintain a summary of problems, solutions and outcomes per guidelines.

Teachers' Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage the academic team and implementation of the Academic Programme per guidelines.
• Ensure high standard of teaching and support teachers in planning and delivery.
• Lead and manage teacher positions accordingly.
• Foster a safe and positive atmosphere.
• Show initiative, take responsibility and set a good example.
• Ensure corridor safety and chaperone classes to venues.
• Include new students and welcome them into classes.
• Encourage new teaching approaches and utilise classroom resources.
• Use students' books and materials deemed essential.
• Share experience and knowledge with colleagues.
• Include strategies for independent learning.
• Deliver student‐centred lessons with emphasis on oral communication.
• Set clear learning aims and ensure students know what they are learning.
• Ensure students record achievements in their books.
• Follow company board‐work guidelines.

Disclosure Checks

In accordance with British Council accreditation criterion S4, you must provide a Disclosure (PVG from Disclosure Scotland / 'Enhanced' from DBS in England) dated within three months from the start date of employment. If you have worked abroad for more than 3 months, an equivalent police check from that country is required. The check is payable by the employee (£18–£70). The company reserves the right to deduct the cost from your salary. Disclosure checks may take 14 days to 18 weeks; if pending at start, you must comply with the company's Safeguarding and Recruitment Policy.

Seniority level: Director

Employment type: Full‐time

Job function: Education and Training

Industries: Primary and Secondary Education