I never set out to become a Head of Boarding. In fact, my career in boarding began almost by accident — as a cleaner in a new junior boarding school with eight girls.
One holiday, I was asked to stay onsite when the Housemistress left suddenly, and I stepped into the role just to help out.
What I didn’t realise then, was that this moment would set me on the path to a lifelong passion.
From those early days, I became a Housemistress, then a Senior Housemistress, and eventually a Head of Boarding. Later, I decided to move to a new school and applied for a Head of Boarding role at St Teresa’s. I didn’t get the post, but the Headmistress saw something in me and created a new role as Senior Housemistress and DSL for Boarding.
Two years later, I was promoted to Head of Boarding — a position I have now held for three years. I can honestly say I still love it just as much today, and my commitment to boarding is stronger than ever.
As a mum to two grown-up children, with a husband and three dogs at home, I never expected this career to fit so perfectly into my life.
Living onsite, working alongside staff, and supporting the girls in my care is a privilege. Watching them grow into confident young women is what makes this role so rewarding. I wish I had someone like me to encourage me when I struggled — and now, that’s exactly the kind of support I aim to offer the girls I care for.
I didn’t arrive in this role with a string of qualifications — I went straight from college into banking, and never studied A levels. I’ve always been a worker and a doer, and it wasn’t until I discovered boarding that I realised how much I wanted to prove myself professionally.
Training with the BSA and TIOB gave me that opportunity. It has shown me, and now the girls I support, that it’s never too late to learn, grow, and succeed.
Boarding has become my passion. I will always recommend the BSA for the training, support, and professional recognition it provides. My wish is for this career to be more widely recognised and encouraged — it is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling jobs anyone could do. Even teachers who join us for prep time or the occasional weekend trip often tell me that their eyes are opened to the warmth, the community, and the sense of purpose that boarding brings.
I may have “fallen” into this career, but I am proud to say that I wouldn’t want to do anything else. Boarding is at the very heart of school life, and for me, it is an honour to be a part of it.
Author: Zoe Wragg, Head of Boarding, St Teresa’s
