UK Inspection in the European Schools

Tender description

The UK is a member of the European Schools (ES) system and signatory to the associated 1957 ES Convention. The ESs provide a free, multi-lingual education for the children aged 4 to 18 of individuals employed by the EU institutions. Such children (known as Category 1) total around 21,000, although there are a further 5,000 who attend by paying fees. There are currently around 1,200 UK pupils in the ES system, 900 of whom have Category 1 status. From September 2017 there will be 13 European Schools in six countries. The Department for Education (DfE) has a requirement for the provision of two Inspectors to assess and maintain the quality of teaching within the ES system and the conduct and performance of UK seconded teachers within it. These Inspectors will also be required to represent UK interests by advising on the curriculum and all pedagogical matters; be responsible for the setting of the English component and quality of the European Baccalaureate examination and represent the DfE at key ES Board meetings. The DfE currently employs 108 teachers to work in the European School system. Inspectors will be required to carry out annual performance related pay assessments; visit the 13 European Schools to observe teaching for the purpose of renewal of contracts of employment; attend meetings of the Boards of Inspectors and Joint Teaching Committee; attend curriculum working groups and meet with DfE teacher and parent representatives. In addition, the secondary inspector will attend various curriculum meetings and working groups and be responsible for the quality of the European Baccalaureate examination, the invigilation of the examinations, the fairness of the marking of the papers and the final marks awarded. The resulting contract will start on 1 June 2017 to allow for handover from the current supplier, in sufficient time for the commencement of work in line with the start of the academic year (1 September 2017). The initial term of contract will be 27 months.