Cambridge College

Lima, Peru

About Cambridge College: Cambridge College (also known as CC) is a British international school located in Chorillos, a suburb of Lima, Peru. It’s part of the Inspired Group.

School mission: To train bilingual individuals, who have confidence in their talents, are sensitive to the needs of others, have respect for their environment, and possess a solid national identity with a global perspective.

Visit the school’s website for more information and job openings.

ITF Review
(Based on Independent Research)

Would you recommend this school to other teaching families?

This highly depends on your family situation. If you’ve got multiple dependents, the 100% discount on school fees is very attractive. If your kids are young they’re likely to adjust more easily with a Spanish speaking community, but it could be more challenging for older kids and teens.

Overall compensation package rating

The package is average for the region and while it does include tuition, there is no housing allowance. If you’re on a single income it could be a stretch to save.

Tuition benefits

100% discount is offered on school fees for teacher’s kids (no limit specified).

Housing

No housing allowance is provided by the school.

Flights

Flights are offered for teachers and dependents at the beginning and end of placement.

Healthcare

The school provides a private healthcare scheme for all teachers and dependents.

Adjustment for kids

The school is home to around 1,200 students spread across primary and secondary school. The majority of students are Peruvian, which could make integration challenging depending on your kids age and adaptability. There is a wide variety of extra curricular activities and clubs on offer.

Average class sizes

Class sizes average between 12 and 24 depending on the year group.

Teaching experience required

Teachers are required to hold a relevant teaching qualification and at least one year’s teaching experience to apply.

Curriculum

International Baccalaureate and British system (A-Levels, IGCSE, Cambridge Primary).

Retirement/pension benefits

Teachers are required to pay into the Peruvian pension scheme (AFP) which they can transfer out when permanently leaving the country.

School history & stability

The school was first established in 1985.

Cambridge College – Additional Benefits

  • Relocation allowance (start and end of placement)
  • Language lesson allowance
  • Payscale based on your years of experience
  • Travel provided to and from school
  • AFP pension scheme

What Teachers are Saying Online About Cambridge College

All the staff meetings and team meetings we had were in Spanish – it was dominated by the local staff and very difficult to integrate if you don’t speak Spanish.

EX TEACHER, CAMBRIDGE COLLEGE

In my experience being part of the Inspired Group, it means unequal pay and unrealistic expectations of staff.

EX TEACHER AT CC

The school is located on a beautiful campus with big classrooms.

EX INTERNATIONAL TEACHER, CC
Andean woman selling homemade dolls in Lima, Peru
Scenic view of the lighthouse at Miraflores, Lima surrounded by trees overlooking the ocean - you can visit if you work at Colegio Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Aerial shot of the landscape of Lima, Peru (Miraflores) - an area you will know well if you teach at Cambridge College.

I think the new Head is trying to change things, but it was a terrible place to be during COVID with lots of staff fired.

EX TEACHER, CC

Colleagues are caring and leadership is trying to make improvements for staff and students.

CURRENT TEACHER

Admin is more worried about backing and supporting parents, there’s little support as an international teacher.

EX INTERNATIONAL TEACHER, CAMBRIDGE COLLEGE

Safety, Adaptability & Cost of Living

  • Safety: Fair – Lima is safe for expat families if you’re in established neighbourhoods like Miraflores, Barranco or San Isidro. But like any big city it’s important to keep an eye out for petty theft.
  • Adaptability: Moderate – To help adapt learning some basic Spanish is important. You’ll need it for daily interactions like shopping, banking, dealing with utilities, etc. Peruvians are very friendly and welcoming, though new arrivals may need time to adjust to the slower pace of services, bureaucratic processes, and Lima’s heavy traffic, especially if you choose not to live in Chorillos.
  • Cost of Living: Moderate – Everyday goods and local food are reasonably priced, and eating out can be affordable. But, imported products are very expensive (e.g. over $20 USD for peanut butter), and housing in popular expat neighbourhoods can push up your monthly expenses.

General Overview for Teaching Families

Cambridge College is a well established school that offers a multilingual education from pre-school through Grade 12. The school is accredited as an IB World School and delivers a blend of British and international curricula, including Cambridge Primary, IGCSE/GCSE, A-Levels, and the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).

The school’s mission is to nurture values of empathy, respect, and environmental awareness while celebrating Peruvian culture alongside a global outlook. CC also supports students’ sporting and artistic talents, offering a well-rounded environment for students.

Cambridge College has about 1,200 students and their teaching staff is made up of around 120. Instruction is primarily in English and Spanish, and most teachers are locally hired. Based on our research, the school is looking to grow its international teachers under new leadership.

While the international recruitment is currently somewhat limited, CC provides its staff with a welcoming environment, modern facilities, and the chance to experience life in Lima.

Do you currently teach at Cambridge College? If so we’d love to hear more about your experience at the school. Please get in touch to tell us more!

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