Boarding House Parent – Brighton

The College

Oxford International College Brighton is an international day and boarding school opening in Ovingdean, Brighton in September 2023. For the right candidate, this is an exciting and highly rewarding opportunity to lead and develop a new College, shaping its academic trajectory within Nord Anglia’s world-class international network of schools. The College’s curriculum will be based on the proven success of Oxford International College’s three-pronged curriculum model which has led to outstanding academic outcomes; OIC Brighton intends to join OIC Oxford at the top of the UK league tables, preparing our leavers for the most competitive courses at the world’s best universities. The successful candidate will play a crucial role in shaping the College’s opening phase and strategic direction, both in terms of increasing pupil numbers and developing a world-class curriculum.

The Role

A Boarding House Parent at OIC Brighton will lead a house of Years 9 – 11 or 6th form students. They will be expected to be involved in, and make a pro-active contribution to, the pastoral life of the College and quality of our boarding provision. Their primary role will be in creating and maintaining a happy, safe and supportive environment to support students’ personal development.

A Boarding House Parent may have some co-curricular or academic responsibilities. They will have responsibilities with regards to safeguarding and child protection. More specifically, they will:

• Ensure the safeguarding and well-being of students in their care;
• Deal with issues relating to behaviour and discipline in their Boarding House;
• Report any concerns to the Head of Boarding and work closely with the Head of Boarding and House Parent team to implement boarding standards and excellent practice.

Areas of Responsibility

The associated duties and responsibilities of this position can, generally, be broken down into: Leadership and Management; Operations and Facilities; Student Behaviour, Welfare and Leadership; Communication. The expectations of the role should be read as indicative rather than exhaustive. You should therefore expect to be asked to help colleagues in other tasks or departments when the need arises and/or to take on other tasks and responsibilities for work which you are suitably qualified.

Leadership and Management

• Lead and manage a team of staff within the Boarding house including an Assistant House Parent and academic and support staff undertaking duties within the House.
• Be responsible for the smooth, orderly and effective running of the House and for the welfare, safety and well-being of the boarders.
• Foster a sense of House identity and spirit by encouraging students to participate actively in House activities and by supporting such events as a figurehead for the House.
• Ensure that the House rules are being followed at all times and address any infringements that may occur. Also ensure that students are always back in the House by the prescribed time in the evening.
• Ensure that students treat the belongings of others and the fabric and furnishings of the House appropriately and with respect.
• Foster a positive atmosphere in the House and aim always to be fair and consistent in your daily interactions with students, not least in the way that school and House rules are applied, and any infringements dealt with.
• Chair and schedule House meetings, including the promotion of Student Voice and Student Leadership within your House and in conjunction with the Head of Boarding.
• Maintain regular contact with the colleagues in the Boarding Team and with other teaching and admin colleagues as appropriate.

Operations and Facilities

• Ensure the House is compliant with protocols, regulations and procedures as directed by the Head of Boarding and Head of Pastoral and Well-Being.
• Oversee the duty rota within your House, contributing your own share of duties including night and weekend cover.
• Take responsibility for the recording of complaints and concerns within the House.
• Oversee the maintenance and replacement of furniture, fixtures and fittings within the House.
• Take responsibility for Health and Safety within the House including running routine fire drills, health and safety in the kitchen etc.
• Comply with College policies and procedures in respect of the security House and its occupants.

Student Behaviour, Welfare and Leadership

• Oversee the well-being of all students under your care, maintaining close communication with their families and, as needed, with academic and medical staff.
• Take responsibility for registration and attendance monitoring within your House using Reach software.
• Take responsibility for the behaviour of students within your care, maintaining the College’s high expectations in line with the College’s Behaviour, Rewards and Conduct policy.
• Be the primary contact for disciplinary or safeguarding incidents in your House and report these as appropriate to the Head of Boarding, Head of Pastoral and Well-Being and Principal.
• Be available in term time to meet with prospective boarding students.
• Be contactable during the week for emergencies, and on the rota for holding the emergency boarding phone out of hours.
• Liaise closely with the School Nurse about the health and well-being of students within your House.
• Look after students who are unwell, including responding to emergencies, ensuring that all medical and dietary needs are met and medication securely stored and dispensed.
• Contribute to the House system and to House events including socials and competitions.
• Develop student leadership roles within the House and ensure the implementation and effectiveness of Student Voice.
• Be familiar with the routines of students in your care, assisting them with time management and ensure the effectiveness of systems around bed and waking times.

Communication

• Communicate with parents on pastoral and behavioural matters; interventions; responding to pastoral concerns.
• Contribute to and have oversight of documentation relating to your House including the boarding including pastoral data management and the House Handbook.
• Assist the Head of Boarding in the induction of new boarders.

Other

• Manage the House budget efficiently and with care, reporting regularly to the Head of Boarding.
• Ensure that OIC Brighton boarding meets all the National Minimum Boarding Standards requirements, and that evidence is readily available for inspection and that other compliance and regulatory matters are met with within the boarding houses.
• Carry out health and safety audits of boarding facilities in line with NAE Health and safety requirements.
• Be aware of, and familiar with, the provisions of the most up to date version of the DfE document Keeping Children Safe in Education and/or any other documents of a similar nature that may come into force from time to time;
• Keep abreast of periodic updates in these policies and regulations, undertake training as necessary and ensure compliance with them at all times in the way that the House is run.
• The House Parent is effectively in loco parentis and so you must at all times while on the premises be ready to deal with any significant distress, difficulty or emergency whether or not you are technically on duty.

Experience

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher.
• Strong academic and intellectual credentials.
• Excellent record as a teacher and middle or senior leader, with evidence of ability to manage staff and whole school strategic priorities.
• First Aid training, including in the administration of medicine.
• Excellent and diverse safeguarding experience and a developed understanding of best practice in safeguarding and student well-being.
• Experience of working in a boarding school environment.
• Knowledge of ISAMS and CPOMS is desirable.
• Knowledge of the legal aspects of handling personal data (GDPR) is desirable.

Attributes

• Highly developed interpersonal and relationship building skills.
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills, with high levels of digital competency.
• Supportive, approachable and positive, with excellent communication skills and a developed ability to empathise.
• Appreciation and understanding of the context of international education, with sensitivity to the diverse needs of international students and their families.
• Flexibility and resilience, with a willingness to ‘get stuck in’ to the development of a new school and the demands of shaping and guiding that school in its infancy.
• A proven track record of working effectively as part of a team and maintaining excellent working relationships with staff and students.
• Ability to prioritise workload, meet deadlines and remain calm and professional under pressure
• Ability to take day-to-day decisions within agreed parameters, demonstrating a pro-active approach to problem solving which identifies solutions and opportunities.
• A genuine commitment to the values and ethos of the College.
• High levels of personal and professional integrity.

Other Requirements

• Commitment to undertake and pass appropriate courses where a need is identified.
• Resident within the College or within a 12-mile radius of the College (BN2 7BA)

Responsibility and Reporting relationships

This role is responsible to the Head of Boarding and Head of Pastoral and Well-Being for all boarding and pastoral matters within the boarding houses, keeping them informed of any significant issues relating to the behaviour and well-being of boarders and boarding staff.

Role: Full time, Permanent

Salary: Competitive

Other benefits:

• accommodation is available on campus
• free meals during term-time
• access to ‘We Care’ medical and counselling services
• participation in the ‘Cycle to Work’ scheme
• fee discounts for children of staff attending OIC Brighton

Start date: 1 August 2023

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Cycle to work scheme
• On-site parking

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday
• Weekend availability

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Brighton: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Work Location: One location

Expected start date: 07/08/2023