British National Curriculum
Ben Pickles is the principal and teacher of Key Stage 2 to 3. Originally from Worcester in the United Kingdom, he was educated at St Edward’s School, Oxford and Christ’s College, Cambridge, where he was awarded a BA (Hons) degree in Theology & Religious Studies. Remaining in Cambridge, he gained a PGCE at Homerton College in Religious Education, a subject he subsequently taught for five years to A Level at an Upper School in Bedfordshire.
In the thirty-five years since, he has spent considerable time in Asia, teaching mostly English to different levels in a number of countries, as well as making extended visits to others. He initially sought greater understanding of the practice and culture of the world religions and the history that had formed them, but it ultimately became clear that the final destination was Cambodia, with which he had long had a strong empathy. He first arrived in 2002 and has lived here for much of the intervening period, eventually marrying and starting a family.
Having taught across positions at universities, international schools and language centres, he was not satisfied that the existing provision was meeting Cambodia’s educational needs, and so, with his wife, he made the decision in 2016 to set up British Academy Siem Reap. The overriding aim was to give children of lesser means the benefit of learning within the framework of the British National Curriculum.
Pha Sokphin is the school manager and teacher of Early Years Foundation Stage to Key Stage 1. The wife of the principal, she is a native of Kompong Thom province. Leaving school at the age of 15, she worked as a housekeeper for four years in Malaysia, where she learned to speak English and Chinese. For our first two terms, she acted as classroom assistant to the principal and acquired sufficient methodology to allow her to take responsibility for the younger children when the roll began to grow.
As a speaker of Khmer, she is able to introduce English to beginners within the supportive framework of their own language. Pupils are given time to reach sufficient competence in the four skills of listening, speaking, reading and writing before they move up to a class with an expatriate teacher. This has meant that, apart from the early years when we had more older children unfamiliar with the curriculum, we have had no need to employ teaching assistants.
Cambodian National Curriculum
Van Soeung is teacher of Primary. Locally born, she graduated in Khmer Literature from the Cambodian University for Specialities Siem Reap. Qualified for thirty years, she teaches Grade 2 in the mornings at Kok Patry Primary School.
Nou Namy, teacher of Kindergarten, similarly attended the University for Specialities, graduating in Khmer Literature, but is originally from Kandal province. She teaches at Kok Patry Kindergarten in the mornings and has been qualified for eighteen years.
Applicants for a teaching position within our British curriculum need to have professional qualification from their own country that equips them for employment at a school. Some experience of working in such an environment is desirable. Candidates with credentials only in TEFL, TESOL, TESL or similar will not normally be considered. Regardless of nationality, competence in English equivalent to that of a graduate native speaker is required.
Those seeking a classroom appointment in the Khmer curriculum must have a certified degree from a Cambodian university and government-validated teacher status.
We have no vacancies at present.