Job Title: Houseparent of Boarding House (Ex- Military candidates preferred)
Location: West Yorkshire
Start date: ASAP
Type: Permanent
THE COMPANY
Our client is an independent, coeducational, day and boarding public school and Sixth Form. They are located in West Yorkshire. The school, and its preparatory junior school, is located in the Aire Valley. There are approximately 1,000 students on roll, currently including around 90 boarders.
This school was founded in 1812, as an all-boys boarding preparatory institution, for the sons of Methodist Ministers. It developed over the latter part of the 20th century. Our client has evolved into an independent education centre, providing education from the age of three through to graduation from the sixth form.
JOB PURPOSE
The Houseparent is responsible to the Headmaster through the Assistant Head (Boarding & Compliance); they play a vital role in leading the academic, pastoral, moral and co-curricular development of the boys in their care, and preparing them for the world beyond school. Further to the boys in their care, the Houseparent is responsible for the house staff and support staff who work in that premises and it's Annexe.
In view of the pastoral significance of this post, it will not necessarily be that the Houseparent will be a teacher and we welcome applications from non-teaching staff. In both cases, the timetable will be suitably tailored to the aptitudes of the successful candidate in order that a strong and frequent presence in the House may be maintained.
House staff is required to live in their accommodation during term time for the better performance of their duties. High quality family accommodation within the premises is provided with this post.
The successful candidate will be wholly committed to the values, ideals and mission of and to boarding in particular.
PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Overseeing all aspects of the academic and pastoral welfare of all the pupils in the House, which will include an awareness of each pupil's progress and developing maturity
- To provide support for any boarder and to help seek solutions to the cause of and problems/distress
- Leading and managing the House team, consisting of resident and non-resident staff, and taking responsibility for overnight supervision arrangements;
- Working closely with each Head of Year and other academic staff to ensure that each pupil achieve their full potential in all areas of school life;
- Creating an environment in which each individual is equally valued and in which each individual has an opportunity to contribute;
- Implementing systems and routines which ensure the smooth and consistent running of the house in an open and fair manner;
- Maintaining the boys' standards of appearance, behaviour and conduct, in line with school policies;
- Make suitable arrangements for temporary boarders;
- Being the principal point of contact for parents/guardians, and ensuring that channels of communication between House, tutor and parent/guardian are clear and pro-active;
- Holding regular formal and informal House team meetings in order to disseminate information relating to the progress of pupils and their welfare;
- Keeping records, maintaining confidentiality of information, (in line with the School's Child Protection Policy) and managing House funds/budget with careful control over expenditure;
- Writing reports and checking tutors reports for the pupils in the House, in accordance with the published schedule;
- Regularly reviewing, maintaining and updating documentation relating to the House (e.g. House handbook, house diary, website entry, Twitter feed, contact/consent details, guardianship arrangements, specific health issues etc.);
- Organising social functions/activities for pupils within the House, with the assistance of the House team, where appropriate;
- Agreeing the weekend programme with the Head of Girls' Boarding to deliver a depth and breadth of activities and trips for the boarding community to enjoy;
- Ensuring compliance with the relevant Health and Safety regulations, Child Protection requirements and National Minimum Standards for Boarding;
- Attending regular meetings, and INSET sessions as appropriate;
- Ensuring boys' medical requirements are properly catered for, supported by the Medical Centre staff;
- Overseeing the fabric and contents of the House in liaison with the support staff to ensure that boarders are well looked after, as if by a parent;
- At the beginning and end of terms to ensure the appropriate "meeting and greeting" systems are in place
- At the beginning and end of terms to ensure the packing/unpacking arrangements, including suitcase movements and the state in which the house and house property is presented or left
- Promoting the School and assisting in the recruitment of new pupils, in liaison with the Assistant Head (Boarding & Compliance) and the Admissions department;
- To keep the Assistant Head (Boarding & Compliance) fully informed of any issues relating to boarders or other matters in boarding;
- Undertaking any other tasks reasonably assigned by the Headmaster.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
- Previous Pastoral experience managing teenagers would be ideal, or Pastoral leadership in a boarding/ residential context would be desirable
- Experience of managing teams and colleagues
- A recognised postgraduate certificate in education or equivalent in secondary education
- Previous experience and evidence of child protection/ safeguarding training is highly desirable
- A full DBS check will be completed on the successful candidate
Ref: 13256_1517252458 | Published: 29th Jan 2018
