Hiring Policy

ISNS is dedicated to hiring the most qualified and capable teachers possible.  As an International Baccalaureate school, ISNS endeavors to hire teachers from a diverse range of countries and backgrounds, within the limitations of Chinese government requirements.  We strive to have a faculty that includes a range of experience, from those who have recently graduated to those who have taught for many years.  Hiring teachers who have completed IB training in their field and age level is a priority.  Any teacher hired by ISNS must believe in and uphold the principles and best teaching practices of the IB program as well as those established by ISNS.

ISNS is committed to creating a safe and inclusive school environment for all community members and does not discriminate on the basis of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, etc.

The Head of School is responsible for ensuring that the school is fully staffed so that the learning needs of students are met.

The Head of School will apply for memberships and develop connections with recruiting agencies in order to provide access the largest possible pool of qualified candidates.

Who is involved in the hiring process?

• The Head of School will involve the relevant principal in the hiring process whenever possible.  Principals may find and interview candidates but not make an offer of employment.
• Grade Level Leads, Department Heads and Teachers may be involved in interviews when it is deemed appropriate or helpful.
• Parents and students may be involved in interviews when it is deemed appropriate or helpful.
• Only the Head of School may make an offer of employment using an official letter of intent.
• Official contracts of employment may only be offered by the HR Department and must be approved by the Director of Operations and Finance.
• Employment contracts must be signed by the Executive Director.

Candidates must provide a reference from an immediate supervisor and at least two other references in order for the offer of employment to be valid.

Internal applicants will be considered for vacant positions before external candidates. Internal movement between positions in the school is at the discretion of the principals with approval from the Head of School.  If making a move to a new position within the school, teachers are expected to stay a minimum of two years in that role.  Internal promotion is granted based on the collaborative decision of the Principals and Head of School.

All new hires will be offered a two-year contract.  One year contracts may be offered in special circumstances.  All contracts include a probation period of six months.

Candidates must be of an age that is greater than 22 and less than 60 years old.  Contracts can be renewed up to age 65.

Foreign (non-Chinese) PYP Homeroom Teaching Faculty must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a passport from a country that is recognized as English-speaking by the Chinese government.
• Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited and certified university where the content is delivered fully in English.
• Hold a Bachelor of Education or Teaching License from a recognized provincial, state or national governing body.  In rare cases when a suitable candidate cannot be found, two years of experience or a 120 hour TEFL certificate may be substituted for the BEd/Teaching License.
• Two or more years of relevant experience is preferred.
• IB Certification and experience teaching the IB program is preferred.
• A passion for teaching the age-level.

Foreign (non-Chinese) PYP Single-Subject Teachers and MYP/DP Subject-Area Teachers must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited and certified university where the content is delivered fully in English.
• Hold a Bachelor of Education or Teaching License from a recognized provincial, state or national governing body.  In rare cases when a suitable candidate cannot be found, two years of subject-area teaching experience may be substituted for the BEd/Teaching License.
• Two or more years of relevant experience is preferred.
• IB Certification and experience teaching the IB program is preferred. DP Teachers must get IB certification in their teaching area within their first year at ISNS.
• A passion for teaching the age-level and subject.

Foreign (non-Chinese) EAL Teachers must meet the following requirements:

• Hold a passport from a country that is recognized as English-speaking by the Chinese government.
• Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited and certified university where the content is delivered fully in English.
• Hold a TEFL Certificate that involved at least 120 hours of coursework.
• A Bachelor of Education or Teaching License from a recognized provincial, state or national governing body is preferred.
• Two or more years of relevant experience is preferred.
• A passion for teaching EAL and the age-level.

Master’s Degrees, PhDs and additional certifications are always favorable factors when considering candidates.

Countries considered to be English-speaking by the Chinese government include:  Canada, U.S.A., England, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Western European Countries, and possibly others.  It is difficult for citizens of many countries to receive a work permit in China.

All faculty and staff must undergo and provide an authentic criminal background check from each country in which they have been previously employed.  In order to obtain a work permit in China a criminal background check must be completed within six months of the start of employment.  See the list of documents required for employment.

Please note:  All teachers entering China on an official work permit issued by the Chinese  Government for employment at ISNS only permit the teacher to work at ISNS.  Any work outside of ISNS, including volunteer work, is not permitted.  Teachers can be reprimanded, fined, and deported immediately if they violate the conditions of their work permit.  The Chinese government takes this very seriously and does regular checks to ensure that all foreign employees are obeying the law.