Teaching roles

Here are some reasons why you could consider joining the College at an exciting time in its development:

• The implementation of our bespoke College-wide K–12 concept-based curriculum, the integration of technology into teaching and learning, and a significant focus on educating for ethical dispositions are just some of the exciting initiatives our staff are currently involved in.

• Our students. At UWCSEA all students are selected through a process that takes a holistic view. While previous school reports and references are taken into account, our admissions criteria also evaluate each student’s potential to contribute, support and participate fully in the life of the College, and in line with our mission, to contribute to the creation of a diverse community of learners in each classroom. 

• As a non-profit organisation, we invest in scholarships for approximately 100 students each year. These scholars come from a wide variety of cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. You can teach and learn from these exceptional students.
• Our academic results are outstanding, but our focus on holistic education means teachers are involved in all aspects of the learning programme. All our students and teachers, from Kindergarten 1 to Grade 12 are involved in our activities, outdoor education and service programmes.
• Our community are all active contributors to the culture of care and wellbeing that underpins our personal and social education programme. This creates an extraordinary atmosphere that supports learning in our dynamic environment.
• We provide a professional learning programme that brings international experts to the school and supports teachers in their professional learning journey.

Working at UWCSEA 

Our teachers are required to possess a good degree and a recognized teaching qualification or certification. We generally consider candidates with two or more years of experience. 

They are committed and enthusiastic participants in each of the five elements of our holistic UWCSEA learning programme: Academics; Activities; Outdoor Education; Personal and Social Education; and Service. Specifically this means that, outside of their timetabled teaching load, teachers are expected to:

• contribute two sessions per week in each season to Activities and/or Service
• be willing to undertake pastoral responsibilities that may include leadership of a mentor group
• participate on outdoor education experiences relevant for their students, including occasionally volunteering for holiday-time expeditions and trips.

A commitment to lifelong learning is something we expect all our teachers to model, and we provide extensive professional development to ensure all teachers are supported as new initiatives are introduced. This includes both a structured annual individual Professional Learning Programme and a College-wide focus on implementation of best practice, which regularly sees world-leading experts visit to conduct workshops and provide extensive follow-up support.

In line with our mission, teachers are enthusiastic about teaching within a multi-cultural environment. We seek to promote internationalism and in our context, we understand the pursuit of internationalism to mean the pursuit of our guiding statements. 

Flexibility of approach and a collaborative style are essential.

If you would like to discover how your experience fits with our academic programme, find out more about the learning programmes, including Languages and High School courses we offer through the IB Diploma Programme and the Cambridge and Edexcel examination centres.

Along with a very competitive package, UWCSEA offers the incredibly high rewards that come from working with remarkable young people in a climate of innovation, collaboration and collegiality. 

The College offers outstanding levels of professional learning; we not uncommonly hear from new teachers that they are learning more with us than at any other stage in their careers. Opportunities include structured internal courses, a self-driven Professional Learning Programme and support for further studies.

Our College-wide emphasis is on concept-based teaching and learning, and we adpat specific foci to our own context, such as Reggio, Reading and Writing Workshop, IB courses, and Philosophy for Children. The K–12 written curriculum in four of our five learning programme elements – academics, outdoor education, personal and social education and service – offers opportunities for teachers to contribute to curriculum development across the holistic programme. Exciting developments in the High School, with the Grade 9 and 10 programme and a pilot for the IB DP mean there are many opportunities for growth and contribution.  

UWCSEA offers a competitive overseas hire benefits package for teachers relocating to Singapore. Tuition support is offered for children of overseas hires. However, number of children and total tuition support cost is a consideration in candidate shortlisting, depending on the candidate pool.

UWCSEA takes its responsibility for the safeguarding of the children and young people in its charge very seriously. All appointments to posts at the College are subject to the successful completion of the pre-employment checks, including checks with previous employers and with criminal record agencies. 

We expect all staff and other adults associated with the College to share this commitment and to immediately report any concerns regarding a student’s safety or wellbeing. For details on reporting and responding to child safeguarding concerns please contact the College Safeguarding Lead.

UWCSEA is an equal opportunity employer, and welcomes applications from those who wish to join a community which is inclusive, and which celebrates diversity.

In keeping with our mission and ethos, we seek to build a diverse community that represents a variety of backgrounds and experiences. We believe that our students’ learning, interactions and growth is more enriching when they interact with peers, teachers and staff who bring a diversity of backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives to campus.

Explore our on-going work in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Part time roles are generally either a temporary time-specific cover for staff on maternity or other extended leave, or an on-going role with a partial timetable, generally for individual subjects or disciplines, for example qualified language teachers teaching in our First and/or Home Languages Programmes. All applicants must have an internationally recognised qualification.

Unless otherwise specified in the job description, to apply for a part time role, you must be a Singaporean Citizen, Permanent Resident or, if you are a foreign applicant, already reside in Singapore.

The vast majority of our part time roles are ‘local contract’ meaning that the applicant will not be offered an overseas hire employment contract and must already have a valid immigration pass that allows them to reside in Singapore.

Part time teachers have access to professional learning opportunities offered by the College in Singapore, including the three Professional Development days for teaching staff which are scheduled each school year.