Teacher Candidate Information 2018-19

Thank you for your interest in working with us at CWA. Being a young school (established in 2010), we still have a lot of growing to do, which is both exciting and challenging. With a current student body of around 300 children aged from 3~17 representing 21 nationalities, there will be many opportunities for both our students and teachers to grow and mature within a supportive educational framework that is designed to address our students’ various learning styles and needs. CWA is an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School.

CWA is comprised of two sections; International and Bilingual. The International Section is for expat children and is authorized to offer the Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) Secondary 1 in the middle years. The Bilingual Section follows an enhanced local curriculum whereby it follows the national curriculum with intensive English and enquiry based learning much like IB UOIs.

The High School (Grades 9-12) offers Cambridge International Examinations at IGCSE (Grade 10) and AS/A Levels (Grade 12). We are accredited by the Council of International Schools (CIS) since July 2016. We are preparing ourselves to pursue IBDP and are an IBDP Candidate School and hope to be for authorization for first students in August 2019.

The PRC Ministry of Education approved CWA as an international school, which means we cannot enroll Chinese nationals into the International Section, local students therefore enroll in our Bilingual Section which follows the PRC national curriculum.

We are looking for candidates who can embrace the stimulating opportunities associated with helping to establish a great school in a genuinely Chinese city. You will have the chance to be part of a team where you can share your own ideas for developing excellent practice. Characteristics needed include determination, patience, flexibility and the ability to improvise as we work together to make a school we can all be proud of.
For further details, please explore our website

Best regards,

Norman Chen
Changsha WES Academy Principal

Changsha WES Academy (CWA) is proud to be the one and only International School in Hunan Province using English as the primary language of instruction. In order to attract more foreign investors to the area, the Changsha National Economic and Technical Development Zone Administrative Committee (CETZAC) realized it was necessary to establish a quality international school for the children of its foreign investors. Thus, CWA was established in cooperation with Worldwide Education Services Co. Ltd. (WES) – hence the WES name.

CWA International Section started with just 4 students in temporary classrooms on 1st September 2010 and moved to our new, purpose-built campus on 14th February 2011. CWA is following the PYP for Nursery (age 3) to Grade 5 (age 11), and an Middle Years curriculum for Grades 6 to 8 (ages 12-14). In August 2015, we started offering Cambridge IGCSE programmes to our Grade 9 class, with the first examinations taking place in June 2017.

CWA Bilingual Section opened in August 2015 currently follows an IB-enhanced PRC national curriculum from Grade 1 to Grade 9, and then a pre-A level course in Grade 10, and Grade 11 A level programme.

Although we are two Sections, we are one community. Expat teachers would contribute in different ways to both sides of the school and this could be academic/extra curriculum/joint activities.

In the future, CWA intends to eventually become a full IB World School offering the IB-Diploma Programme (DP), while CWA now offers Cambridge AS/A levels at Grades 11 & 12.

Vision

CWA students will be become internationally minded, lifelong learners.

Mission

We will achieve our Vision by:

  • Using an integrated, inquiry-based approach to learning
  • Providing opportunities for students to grow beyond their own culture by studying in English, learning about Chinese and other cultures, and promoting mother-tongue languages
  • Nurturing reflective individuals who are responsible, curious and respectful
  • Instilling a spirit of innovation, experimentation and collaboration
  • Challenging students to be compassionate, with the courage to act on their beliefs
  • Encouraging a balanced approach to life

Motto

Where a love of learning grows, we grow.

International Mindedness Statement

By being open-minded, the CWA community aspires to bring the world together as

one through love, fairness and respect for different cultures.


Facilities

The large, state-of-the-art campus opened its doors in February 2011. In addition to both Primary and Secondary classrooms, there are also specialist facilities including art rooms, children’s play areas, canteen, library/media center, music rooms, sports field, sports hall, science labs, theatre, and a teaching kitchen.

The Curriculum

The school programme is founded on a guided-inquiry approach to teaching and learning. In PYP (both sections) we use IB scope and sequence documents to guide the development of trans- disciplinary units in the Primary Schools. These are the focus for learning in homeroom classes and, when appropriate, are integrated into other curriculum areas. Students experience what it is like to think and act like a historian, scientist, engineer or mathematician. Within each unit, students and teachers identify together what they already know, what they want to know, what they need to know and how best they might find that out.

In the inquiry-based classroom there is an increased emphasis on real life situations, decision-making, problem solving, research and action. Students are actively:

  • exploring, wondering and questioning
  • experimenting and playing with possibilities
  • researching and seeking information
  • collecting data and reporting findings
  • clarifying existing ideas and reappraising events
  • deepening understanding through the application of a concept or rule
  • making and testing theories
  • making predictions and acting purposefully to see what happens
  • elaborating on solutions to problems

Cambridge IGCSE

CWA is a Cambridge International School, authorized to offer the International General Certificate of Secondary Education. Students in Grades 9 & 10 follow the IB philosophy of interdisciplinary learning through inquiry. However, they will also study for a core of 5-7 subjects: English, Chinese, Mathematics, Global Perspectives, and either Combined Science or Double Award Science. Other options include Art & Design, Additional Mathematics, and a third language studied independently (such as their mother tongue), and possibly Music. Most of these classes will be a combination of local and expat students, which allows for more intercultural communication.

Our curriculum is complemented and supported by a range of sporting, recreational, artistic and cultural activities.

Cambridge A Level

Currently our students are enrolled onto our A-level courses in Grade 11. These are an excellent foundation for their applications to a university. Universities value this qualification due to the high standard of content and skills needed to pass the final examinations.

Students normally pick the three (or four) subjects that they are most interested in and then follow an intensive programme of study for those subjects. At CWIHS we currently offer 9 different subject from Mathematics to Art.

The Typical School Day

Time Regular Day Routine
8:15 – 8:25 Homeroom: morning greeting or circle time
8:25 – 9:45 Morning classes
9:45 – 10:15 Snack in the dining area /in-or outdoor play
10:15 – 12:15 Morning classes
12:15 – 1:15 Lunch in the dining area /in-or outdoor play
1:15 – 3:55 Afternoon classes*
4:00 Buses leave the school compound

Early years classes finish at 3:15, except for Fridays were Primary classes finish at 3:15.

We believe in positively encouraging parent involvement and participation, and arrange activities that encourage parents to visit and involve themselves in the learning experiences of their children

Also, as an institution devoted to learning, we constantly review and develop our programmes, practices and facilities to ensure high standards in all areas; this is especially important as we grow!

Also, Professional Development (PD) opportunities are provided for all teachers every year: on campus by our own experts, online, or by attending off-campus courses/seminars.

Teacher Profile

Candidates must:

  • be fully qualified teachers
  • have a minimum of 3 years teaching experience in the relevant subject (2 years for ESL teachers)
  • ESL teachers must have 120 hours TESOL/EAL/ESL certification
  • Already have (or the desire to learn) PYP, MYP or similar inquiry-based, hands-on teaching experience,
  • Or have IGCSE / A level IELTS experience.
  • IBDP background would be an advantage for High School teachers
  • be computer literate and skillful in using ICT as a learning tool
  • be competent using differentiated teaching techniques
  • have experience teaching non-native English speaking students
  • be fully committed to CWA’s Vision, Mission and programmes
  • be ambassadors for CWA

Candidates should:

  • love children and have a caring personality
  • have experience with Chinese/Asian culture and/or be open-minded
  • be creative and energetic in class
  • be flexible and able to take on a variety of roles and responsibilities
  • be organized, efficient team players
  • happily offer meaningful After-School Activities and/or Extra Curricular Activities
  • be able to balance the high demands of work with recreational pursuits

Teacher Package & Benefits

The initial contract term is two years. There is a probationary period of two months after the commencement of the contract, during which the school may terminate the employment contract because of unsatisfactory performance or serious misconduct, according to the school’s termination policy.

Teachers are contracted to work for a minimum of 182 student-contact days plus 10-12 professional development/work days per year. A full-time teaching load is considered to be up to 32 periods of 40-minutes per week, plus supervisory duties, after-school activities/extra curriculum activities, and meetings.

Newly hired teachers are expected to arrive around 6thAugust and the first day of school will be 20thAugust 2018.

The salary standard is based on the degree, and the teaching experience. The basic salary is quoted in RMB and will be paid monthly into a local bank account. The school can offer support to transfer into an overseas bank account afterwards. The exchange rate will be based on that of the remitting bank on the same day, and the teacher will be responsible for all bank transfer charges.

The school also gives the teacher an annual bonus based on his/her teaching performance and achievements in the previous academic year. The bonus includes, but is not limited to, cash, career development training opportunities, etc..

The teacher’s income is exempt from taxation according to the present tax law in China.

The school provides an economy class air passage from the Home of Record (HOR) / Actual Location on an airline chosen by the school, once upon the start of the teacher’s contract with our school, and once upon completion of the contract. The school will also pay for the air passage of the teachers’ accompanying dependents. The air passage is limited to one round-trip per contract. The maximum amount is RMB 20,000.00 per family on a reimbursement basis, and limited to a maximum of RMB 10,000.00 per dependent. Dependents may be spouse, children below the age of 18 who are full time students studying at our school, or children below school age who live with the teacher in Changsha. For teaching couples, the above stated amount and standards remain the same as for a single teacher (i.e. a teaching couple may have the benefits for up to two children).

The school will assist the teacher to find suitable furnished housing near the school. The school provides a Housing Allowance, which is sufficient to cover rent, property management fees and apartment rental taxes for a 2-3 bedroom apartment of 100~120 m2 within a 30- minute walk to the school. This allowance is paid on a reimbursement basis. If the teacher and/or his/her spouse own(s) real estate in Changsha, there will be no Housing Allowance paid.

Teachers are entitled to one shipping/excess baggage allowance from the HOR for bringing personal effects to Changsha upon commencement of the first employment contract, and one shipping/excess baggage allowance to the HOR upon conclusion of the entire employment with the school. However, a teacher may relocate his/her personal effects to/from a different location other than the HOR stated in the contract.

The school reimburses the initial visa processing fees (not including transport or translation/notary costs) incurred for entry to China, on production of official receipts. The school will also pay for the teacher’s medical examination, which must be conducted prior to applying for the visa, as it is an annual requirement in Changsha.

The teacher must bear all other document and medical examination costs for his/her family members, unless otherwise provided in the contract.

The school processes the resident permit and professional permits required for teachers to work in China, and covers the costs of yearly renewal. The teacher is responsible for any additional charges incurred due to personal reasons (e.g. change or loss of passport).

The following (original) documentation is required for the Chinese Visa Application:

  1. Passport (s) (for all family members), valid for at least 3 years with sufficient blank visa pages (at least 6 blank visa pages).
  2. Teacher’s highest University Degree Certificate (the Original Degree Certificate must be notarized at the Chinese embassy in the country where each was issued. Soft copy of other certificate if you have (Teaching Certificate etc.) *.
  3. Certificate of No Criminal Record (the Certificate of No Criminal Record must be issued within six months, and the Original Certificate of No Criminal Record must be notarized at the Chinese embassy in the country where each was issued) *.
  4. Teacher’s medical check-up report (the medical check-up report must be issued within six months. Please go to the hospital approved/authenticated by the Chinese Embassy to do the medical check-up).
  5. Teacher’s Emergency Contact person (full name, address, contact number, relationship to you and other relevant information).
  6. Teacher’s Home of Record (International Airport City & Country), Home residence address, Home telephone number, Home email address.
  7. Soft copy of two-inch bareheaded photos (of you and each of your dependents) with white background photo in JPG format (smaller than 200KB, 35mm x 49mm) (the Photo must be issued within six months). Please also bring 10 printed photos of each person with you when you come to Changsha.
  8. Copies of your dependents’ passports, marriage certificate & children’s birth certificates. Please note that the original marriage certificate & children’s birth certificate must be notarized at the Chinese embassy in the country where each was issued.

* Notes: These documents will need to be translated into Chinese and then notarized by the Chinese embassy in the country where the document was issued. Different countries have different requirements in this process. Translation/notary costs are at the teacher’s expense.

Teachers are covered under a Group Medical Insurance Scheme that allows reimbursement of hospitalization/medical expenses subject to the exclusion clauses of the policy. There is an option of direct billing within Changsha.

The school pays for the medical insurance package for the teacher’s spouse and up to three dependent children who are under 18 years old and studying full time at our school or live in Changsha.

For teaching couples, the above stated amount and standards remain the same as for a single teacher.

A teacher is entitled to ten (10) days sick/hospitalization leave a school year on production of valid medical certificate.

Maternity Leave – 1 month paid leave (once during her employment with our school, but not within the first year of employment).

Paternity Leave – 5 days paid leave (once during his employment with our school)

Tuition is free for up to 2 dependent children at our school, with a discount of 50% for the third child. Additional costs, such as those for uniform, lunch, After-School-Activities, Extra Curriculum Activities, transport, field trips, etc. are to be borne by the teacher.

The school has a range of Professional Development opportunities for teachers including those provided online, on-site workshops, or locations in the surrounding region. Individual PD is usually decided in conjunction with school and teacher professional goals.

After completing the first contract, teachers who satisfy the performance standards will be eligible to apply for a subsequent contract with the school. For this contract, the teacher’s salary will be advanced one step per one-year extension, up to the maximum point in the scale. There is also a re-signing bonus.

Important: the above mentioned salary and benefits will/may be specific/specified in the job offer to the candidate teachers.