blue door

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Blue Door Team

Bronagh McLaughlin (2004 - 2008)

I've been at Blue Door for almost four years. When I arrived it was a relatively new school, and I have been amazed how, within such a short period of time, it has matured. The bosses, Mabe and Aidan, are very much hands-on and place a lot of importance on the professional development of teachers in order to ensure the best for the students. There are few schools where I would have learnt so much in such a short timescale. And where else would you get a friendlier start and bottles of champagne on your birthday!

Fari Greenaway (2006 - 2009)

I chose to work at Blue Door because, of all the places I had visited (and was offered work), it was the academy that had given me the friendliest welcome and where I felt most immediately at home. The staff are passionate about their work, and the staffroom is a vibrant place where we exchange ideas, problems and solutions.

The best thing about Blue Door is the atmosphere; created by the people who work there. Blue Door is a bit like a family - we celebrate birthdays together and share ideas. All the staff know what it is like to be finding your way somewhere new and are very supportive.

Despite being a relatively small academy, Blue Door offers excellent training and development opportunities. In two years I ran my first staff training workshops, qualified as a KET and PET Cambridge examiner and completed the distance DELTA with Paul (Blue Door's head teacher) as my local tutor. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending working at Blue Door.

Jeremy Knight (2002 - present)

Blue Door is central, just behind the main department store, El Corte Inglés, and there's a lively buzz about the place and the students. There are very few problem students as the majority come from well-to-do families. This, coupled with small groups (maximum of 6 students) and generally homogenous level abilities makes for near ideal teaching conditions! Another key difference at Blue Door (I've worked at five Spanish academies) is that management clearly value their (carefully-chosen) staff with regard to salary, training and working conditions. Any issues raised will be addressed immediately.

Joe Limmer (2006 - 2009)

The school has a friendly atmosphere, and places great importance on professional development for the teachers. The school itself has very good resources and is well-kitted out in the classrooms. It also fields a team at the local pub quiz and is generally a very sociable place to work.

Lisa Dold (2006 - present)

I came to Blue Door fresh from my CELTA course and I couldn't have begun my EFL career in a more supportive environment. No matter what your level of experience, you'll always get a helping hand and be treated as an equal.

The atmosphere in the staff room is one of the best things about working in Blue Door. There is a real enthusiasm for teaching, for sharing ideas and for developing. There is a vibrancy among the teachers and an excellent balance between professionalism and fun.

Paul Ashe (2006 - present)

One of the reasons I came to Blue Door was for the importance it placed on the professional development of its teachers. It has continued to respond to the professional needs of its teachers and I feel I have progressed enormously myself. I think the most important thing for me about Blue Door is its genuine desire and willingness to improve and its 360º feedback is testimony to this. Although the work demands can sometimes be high, it is also rewarding in many ways.

Sally Clarke (2007 - 2009)

As a new teacher, I have found everybody at Blue Door really helpful and supportive. All teachers have helped with both practical ideas to use in class, and Mabe has been really helpful sorting out the issues that occur settling into life in a new country when my pidgin Spanish isn't up to the task. Blue Door is a good place to work, and the fact that so many teachers come back year after year is testament to this.

Sandy Stevens (2005 - present)

A great place to work. There's a genuinely fun, relaxed atmosphere - and a real team vibe. The ongoing in-house training gives a real feeling of mutual and continuing support, while motivating us towards constant improvement as teachers. I'd safely say we probably have the best staff room as far as English academies go and the constant supply of tea and coffee is a great motivator in the mornings.

Gabby Hewitt (2004 - present)

Blue Door is a fairly small, friendly academy in the centre of the city. It's right behind the main department store and is nice and handy for the shops, bars, restaurants and stations. I've been here for four years and the academy has improved year on year. The staff and management are very supportive and there's a good atmosphere. All full-time staff have their own classroom and desk in the staffroom (which is well-equipped and probably the best staff room in the city!).

There's a growing focus on professional development and we are provided with opportunities to learn and improve through regular workshops.

Classes are small (maximum of 6) which is a good size, and staff are expected to teach a wide range of ages and abilities. Almost all teenage and adult classes are exam-orientated, which can help to motivate the students but does mean that there is a lot to get through in the two hours a week.

Our students are generally nice and hard-working, although there are always exceptions who are a pain in the neck (but after working in British secondary schools, these are angels). A lot of our students are from rich, posh families - they have country houses and/or beach apartments and many enjoy hunting and bull-fighting (which took me a while to get used to).

Blue Door is a good place to work and the positive atmosphere among staff and students proves this.