The English School (TES), also known as Colegio de Inglaterra, was established in Bogotá in 1961 and has a long history of innovation, namely as one of the first International Baccalaureate (IB) schools in Latin America. Fifty-seven years later, TES has 1,624 K–12 students and 249 members of its teaching staff, representing 26 nationalities! Set on nearly 15 acres, TES is a thriving and popular school with confident, bilingual students and teachers. The school has an excellent reputation in Colombia and Latin America. In 2018, TES became the first International School in South America to welcome a Director General of IB, Dr. Siva Kumari. In addition to holding IB authorization, the school is accredited by the Colombia Ministry of Education and holds candidate status with the European Foundation for Quality Management.
Colombia is an exciting place to be for a number of reasons, including its growing expatriate community, and for its reputation for beautiful music and dance. The variety of cuisine, reflecting an incredible range of regional produce, also makes it a desirable location. Colombia is increasingly becoming recognized for its natural beauty but also its forward-thinking population and flourishing economy. Located in the high mountains of the Andes, Bogotá is the capital and largest city in Colombia. It is the country’s most visited city and well situated for adventures in Central America, the Caribbean, the Andes, and Amazonia.
School activities at TES include a wide range of sports; basketball is especially popular, but among other offerings are football and volleyball as well as cultural events. In 2004, TES launched its own Model United Nations (TESMUN), and over several years the program grew to the point that TES then invited other schools to participate. Fourteen years later, TESMUN has grown so popular that it must be hosted at a convention center to accommodate more than 800 students from all over Colombia, Ecuador, and Chile!
TES prefers to hire native-English speaking single and married teachers, including those with a non-teaching spouse. They will also consider exceptional newly-certified teachers, experienced non-certified teachers, and those certified in non-English speaking countries. Teachers need not possess an academic degree in the subject they will be teaching, and there is no age limit to obtain a work visa in Colombia.
Benefits include fully-furnished housing in a safe, attractive, suburban environment; a moving allowance; and annual airfare. The tuition benefit for all employees’ children is 65%, but the school says that fees “are not prohibitive for expatriate teachers.” Worldwide health insurance is fully covered and includes life insurance, long-term disability, and emergency evacuation. Other bonuses for teachers are free lunch, Spanish classes, and transport to and from school. Professional development means on-site induction, IB training, and more, depending on the school’s strategic priorities. These benefits, combined with the low cost of living in Colombia, allow for some nice savings or the chance for a family of four to live on one salary. There are also local employment opportunities for a non-teaching spouse.
The English School, Colegio de Inglaterra’s full profile on the Search Associates database, including a list of all open positions, candidates can apply for membership by clicking here. Candidates already registered can easily access the school profile directly through their dashboards.
Please note: The information presented about this school was valid on the date published. This information may change, and the most up-to-date information can be found on the school profile.
