Student Summer School Assistants for Doshisha University Summer School Course at St Catharine's College

Four Summer School Assistants are required to assist in the annual Summer School for students from Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan. Japanese students aged between 18-20 years old come to improve their English and enjoy the inspiring experience of living and studying in College. Summer School Assistants welcome visiting students on their arrival in the UK, help them settle into their new surroundings, organise their social events and lead field trips, as well as helping with their work. They are vital to the success of the course.

We are looking to recruit individuals who are organised, patient, imaginative, flexible and able to work effectively as part of a team.  As one of the main aims of the course is to improve participants’ spoken English, interaction with the Summer School Assistants is particularly valued and vital in helping the students get the most out of their time with us. The Assistants will be required to live in College accommodation throughout the period of the three-week course.  

The rate of pay for the role of Summer School Assistant is £12.60 per hour plus holiday pay.  We will also offer one free meal per day and free accommodation in a College room.  

In addition, we are hoping to employ a Lead Summer School Assistant to help co-ordinate and supervise their peers.  The rate of pay for this role will be £14.00 per hour, plus holiday pay.  

The course will take place between Sunday 10th August and Saturday 30th August 2025 and involves two overnight trips to London and York. It is expected that the normal weekly hours of work will be 8am- 1pm or 1pm-9pm Monday to Thursday when the students are not in classes; up to 10 hours on a Friday and Saturday to supervise overnight trips and from 1pm- 9pm on Sunday when the students have their own free time to explore Cambridge.

Duties and responsibilities of Summer School Assistant:

• The Assistants will be the first point of contact for the students and will provide a friendly and accessible basic level of pastoral care throughout the course, escalating matters to the Lead Assistant or Conference Manager when appropriate.
• Ensure students attend daily classes and lectures as per the timetable.
• Organise and lead a daily schedule of varied activities in the afternoons, outside teaching periods and for the overnight trips to London and York.
• Be present and interact with the students as much as possible during mealtimes and Formal Halls.
• Accompany the students on organised activities and for the weekend trips to London and York.  
• Assist language teachers, if requested, with equipment testing and other appropriate tasks.
• The Lead Summer School Assistant will be responsible for coordinating the assistants, arranging specific activities, managing changes to rotas and acting as the main point of contact for the Head Teacher and Conference Manager.

We welcome applications from individuals who are current undergraduate students either at St Catharine’s College or from another College elsewhere in the University of Cambridge.

Application process

Application letters and CVs should outline why you are interested in the position and what particular qualifications or attributes you would bring to the role.  If you are applying for the Lead Summer School Assistant post, please indicate this in your letter.  

Informal interviews will be held w/c: 9th June

Please send applications to: Zoe Fardell, Conference Manager: