NACE is a private education company, which was founded with the objective of leading the Spanish expansion of educational centres, some of which have been around since 1972. The main goal of the group is excellence in education.

NACE has developed a strong track record in operating prestigious schools, from the first one into the Group, Agora San Cugat since 1998. The schools deliver high quality education with excellent facilities in modern, purpose built buildings and serve a population of wealthy local Spanish families. Currently NACE owns six private schools, two nurseries and a catering business. The schools are located in Madrid, Barcelona, Mallorca and Castellon.

Each of the schools covers all the stages of the education process - Creche, Nursery, Primary, Secondary, Sixth Form and leaving exams and uses the Spanish curriculum for Spanish students. As part of a new initiative started in 2009, they are starting bilingual (English/Spanish) stream in their schools starting at the primary levels. Parents will have a choice as to whether their children enter the bilingual stream (this has become very popular), which will initially offer some Spanish curriculum subjects in English such as Maths, Art and Science. As children become more accustomed to delivery in English, the programme will expand upwards in age range and outwards in numbers to become a fully bilingual programme.

NACE seeks to recruit educational professionals to join their team of teachers. They look for teachers with experience in delivering a primary curriculum (ideally UK but others will be considered), who are creative, flexible, willing to embrace change and willing to participate in the extra-curricular aspects of the school life. It is important for candidates to understand that these are bilingual schools using a Spanish curriculum, partly delivered in English. These are not international schools staffed by and for expats. Rather, you will be joining an existing school as a part of a new initiative - you will be the pioneers at the start of something valued and important.

Spanish Culture

Spanish culture is like no other, and as a teacher in a bilingual school and living in Spain you will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in it. Teachers working at the NACE schools have reported that the Spanish staff are warm, friendly and welcoming despite the obvious language barrier that will affect some more than others depending on your knowledge of Spanish and the individual local teacher's knowledge of English. Spanish culture revolves around family and groups, and they are open and accepting of others within their groups. We encourage teachers living in Spain to avail themselves of any and all opportunities to 'join the crowd'.

The Spanish are family centred and children are revered. Therefore, the children you teach will be generally happy, confident and gregarious. They are also, compared to UK and Irish children, quite loud! But Spanish loud is a social, happy and exuberant loud, rather than a threatening loud. You will get used to it but almost all teachers working in a school in Spain comment on the ambient level of noise to which they eventually become accustomed.

Having a well rounded and enjoyable life is paramount in Spain - they like to work hard and also to play hard. So you will rarely scoff a 10 minute sandwich on the go, rather you are more likely to have a 2 course lunch. Good food, good wine, good company is an essential part of Spanish life. Spanish, unlike other cultures, don't shy away from English people and as a gregarious people, they are always willing to have a go at trying to communicate by whatever means.

Spain is inexpensive, compared to the UK and Ireland, with good, cheap transport links, plenty of inexpensive food and drink and beautiful mountains and beaches. There is always something happening in Spain - parades, festivals, Saint's Days, feasts. You usually don't need to pay for entertainment - there is often plenty happening on the streets in the big cities of Madrid, Barcelona and lots of art and culture on offer.

Whilst salaries appear low when compared to other countries, teachers work in Spain for the lifestyle, and find that the cost of living is low enough to allow one to live comfortably as long as they don't have to send large amounts of money home.

What to expect at school

This is an exciting and yet challenging opportunity. As one of only a small group (3-6) of native-English speakers inside the school next year, you will be working alongside local staff who will welcome and support you. The school teaches to the Spanish curriculum with a number of subjects at primary level being taught in English and it is in these areas that you will be teaching. Unlike primary teachers in the UK, you will be teaching to different classes from different year groups up to Grade 5 (Year 6). The current UK/Irish staff they currently have employed are teaching mainly Science, Art and Mathematics and of course English.

A typical teaching week consists of around 31 hours of contact time with 4 hours free time for planning and preparation and teachers report that it's possible to get all of their planning and marking done during this time. The school day is 9:00am - 5:00pm and staff are encouraged to take part in extra-curricular activities. In July you are expected as part of your contract to teach in the summer school for a few weeks, and this is a relatively unstructured session and hours are shorter. You will not receive extra compensation for this, rather you will get your regular July pay.

There are vacancies at four of their schools in Barcelona, Madrid and Castillion

Job Description

• Contract type: Full time
• Contract Term: Permanent
• Start Date: September 2010
• Salary: 25,000 Euros

Teacher Profile

Teachers with a minimum of 1 year of primary teaching experience, post qualification Minimum Bachelors degree and recognised teaching qualification - ie PGCE/PGDE/BEd UK or other EU passport

The sort of teacher who will work well in a NACE school is one who wants to immerse themselves in Spanish language and life, working alongside and socialising with locals. You will have a busy timetable and although teaching academically strong students, their level of English may mean they require extra patience and assistance. It will probably be a different environment from your previous experiences and therefore flexibility to adjust to a new way is a priority. Summer school is very common across Spain and the month of July (end of term) is dedicated to this.

Below are some of the qualities nace looks for in their teachers:

Creativity

The capacity to produce a variety of activities with a wide range of materials and to come up with ideas that favor the expression and comprehension of the students.

Adaptability

The capacity to adapt to new situations such as culture, cuisine, rules and habits in a school (and country).

Enthusiasm

Open-minded and active towards a teaching profession and to working in a school.

Teamwork

Know how to work with different people who are part of the team, brainstorm ideas, share, etc.

Compromise

To fulfill the conditions on the work contract and remain in the centre for at least two academic years.

Empathy with the students

The capacity to connect with the students, understand their needs and adapt to them, taking into account that the students are always first.

I.T. knowledge

To be able to use different I.T. programmes such as Word, Excel, Power Point and the capacity to learn to use other new programmes such as the CAV. Please note that although they are well resourced in most ways, most NACE schools do not have electronic white boards.

Flexibility

The possibility to eventually use students of different ages and even adults as students in classes for parents.

Flexibility in timetables

The capacity to adapt to the school timetable including meetings, courses and special events (such as the "Open Days" on Saturdays).

Outgoing personality

The capacity to relate and interact in a new team.

Energetic

An active person who can work with enough energy to overcome different obstacles.

Responsibility

With work (the timetable, material, rules, etc.) and other aspects (healthy habits). Continuous training. To accept the training programmes offered by the school if it is considered necessary.

Additional Skills

Science knowledge, practice a sport, knowledge about arts and crafts and knowledge about music or can play an instrument.

If you are interested in being considered for the posts, please contact Teachanywhere using the form below Teachanywhere is the exclusive recruiters for these posts and all interviews are being arranged through Teachanywhere.