International School Ruhr (ISR) is a small, family-oriented school, established in 2010 in one of Essen's nicest neighborhoods. Located across from a sculpture park, ISR is a 15-minute walk from the city center and the main train station. Essen was Europe's green capital in 2017, offering many attractions for visitors—sports, a beautiful lake, concerts, exhibitions, and more. Close to four international airports—Cologne, Dusseldorf, Weeze and Dortmund—Essen is an easy and inexpensive travel hub. The city sits in the middle of the Ruhrgebiet, a sprawling urban area in Western Germany with some of the best museums and cultural institutions in Europe.
Currently enrolled are 140 K–12 students representing 27 nationalities. While 50% of them are German, eight students come from North America and the U.K. The teaching staff of 25 includes five from Germany and eight from North America and the U.K. The school delivers the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years and Diploma Programmes along with the International General Certificate of Secondary Education. On its website, ISR describes its campus:
“Students, parents and teachers not only appreciate our all-day school as a learning space but also as a generously laid out living space. The well-kept facility with its idyllic ambiance creates ideal conditions for concentrated and relaxed learning. . . Modern laboratory equipment for science classes, state-of-the-art music, design and art studios, creativity room, multi-purpose rooms and laptops for all students from year two are only a few of the highlights of the international primary school.”
IS Ruhr prefers to hire single teachers, but would consider teaching couples, interns, exceptional newly-certified teachers, highly experienced teachers lacking certification, and candidates certified in non-English speaking countries. Teachers need not hold their academic degree in the subject they will be teaching. There is no age limit to obtain a work visa in Germany.
The benefits package includes a competitive salary, a moving allowance, and a relocation bonus for new teachers. Full tuition and free holiday camps for teachers’ children are also included in the benefits package. In terms of professional development, IS Ruhr offers free IB courses as well as other non-IB courses regarding differentiation, coaching, information technology in the classroom, classroom management, autonomous learning, etc. The school says, “Our employees enjoy full state medical and dental insurance. German medical facilities are world-renowned.” Long-term disability is also included. Single teachers and teaching couples could see some nice savings on this package, and there are local employment opportunities for non-teaching partners.
To gain access to International School Ruhr’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.
