JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Title: Head of House
Reports to: Assistant Principal (Pastoral & Boarding)
Liaises with: Facilities Manager; Vice Principal & DSL, Senior Tutors; Head of House; College Matron; Sports Coordinator; Director of Admissions; Catering Contractor Line.
Manages: Houseparents, Assistant House Parents
The post holder will work 3 days on and 2 days off, 8.00 am to 8.00 pm with 2 hours of unpaid breaks within each day, although precise working hours are flexible depending on the job requirement and workload. This position also includes alternate weekends off as well as days off in lieu.
Job Purpose
The Head of House is responsible to the Assistant Principal (Pastoral & Boarding) for the well-being and pastoral care of all boarding students and, in particular, ensuring that both directly and through effective management of the Houseparents, that all boarding staff provide a happy and welcoming environment in which students can enjoy their boarding experience. The Head of House will perform a key role in the College’s student boarding provision through their management of the College’s boarding houses and line management of Houseparents and will work closely with the Assistant Principal (Pastoral & Boarding) and Facilities Manager to ensure the provision of boarding that is fully compliant with the National Minimum Standards (NMS) for boarding schools.
Key Duties
- To support the Principal and Assistant Principal (Pastoral & Boarding) in the development of boarding at the College
- Monitor, oversee and maintain the welfare, safety, discipline, and pastoral well-being of all members of the boarding house.
- Ensure the implementation and maintenance of National Minimum Standards within the boarding house practices and processes.
- Assist the Assistant Principal (Pastoral & Boarding) in the planning and preparation for and overseeing boarding inspections.
- Be part of the safeguarding team, be aware of all aspects of safeguarding and attend relevant training; make appropriate referrals to the College’s Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- Organising the boarding routines with the cooperation and support of the boarding staff to ensure the security, safety, and well-being of all boarders, appropriate to the age of the boarders. Support and share day to day tasks with the boarding staff where necessary.
- Communicating regularly and effectively with the Assistant Principal(Pastoral&Boarding) and senior tutors on issues relating to the general welfare of boarders, in particular matters causing concern
- To set, supervise and monitor houseparent duty rota’s to ensure there is adequate and appropriate supervision in the boarding house.
- Establish and maintain appropriate standards for boarders of discipline and behaviour.
- Plan in advance weekend activities for boarders within agreed cost limits agreed and ensuring that the relevant staff on duty are fully briefed to carry out the planned activity.
- Being present, before and after each term to ensure that arrangements and facilities for boarders returning or leaving are in place or properly closed down.
- Assist the Director of Admissions with the allocation of boarders to boarding houses and rooms within each boarding house
- Meeting formally with senior tutors to review all matters affecting the welfare of boarders
- Be a presence daily within the boarding houses to allow boarders to give their thoughts and feelings regarding their boarding experience
- Ensure students’ medical needs are fully met by the boarding team.
- Appraise Houseparents in line with the College’s performance review system
- Assist the Facilities Manager to ensure the implementation of Health and Safety recommendations as detailed within the College’s health and safety and educational visits policies
- Be abreast and keep updated on all boarding legislation
- To act in loco parentis and as an appropriate role model for all the boarders To be available in termtime and during halftermstomeetwith prospectiveboarding students and their parents
- To assist the Assistant Principal (Pastoral & Boarding) to create a comprehensive induction programme for all new boarders
- To work with the catering contractor to ensure that the food is of excellent quality and variety
- Ensure that health & safety in the boarding house is adhered to meticulously Hold a full set of keys for the boarding house for emergencies
- Liaise with Facilities Manager to ensure effective provision of cleaning services in the boarding houses
- To liaise and work with the other Head of House to ensure parity and the sharing of good practice
- To be on call outside of normal working hours as per an agreed schedule Key Duties – Administration
- To ensure the completion of Health and Safety paperwork in coordination with the Facilities Manager and the College’s health and safety and educational visits policies
- To ensure regular recording within the maintenance logbook
- To ensure the maintenance of accurate medical records in liaison with the College Matron
- To ensure that accurate and detailed records of those students provided with first aid are kept in liaison with the College Matron
- To ensure the maintenance of an inventory of supplies for first aid kits to ensure there are sufficient supplies at all times in liaison with the College Matron
- To maintain detailed records of departures and arrivals of students
- To maintain an accurate and detailed central record of boarding complaints and concerns
- Retain, maintain and distribute as required an accurate record of students living in the College’s boarding houses
- To ensure that a comprehensive set of induction material is available to be sent out to new boarders before their arrival at the College
- To ensure that evidence of NMS compliance is readily available for inspection in liaison with the Facilities Manager and Assistant Principal (Pastoral & Boarding) Additional Duties
- Actively promote and market the College and present a positive image of the College and its activities both within and outside the College environment
- To participate in student recruitment activities, such as agent familiarisation trips, prospective student/parent visits
- To attend relevant professional development courses and external meetings as representative of the College
- To carry out any duties at all times in accordance with the College’s policies including Data Protection, Health and Safety, Child Protection and Safeguarding Policies
- To ensure Data Protection policies are adhered to at all times. To undertake any other responsibilities commensurate with the grade of the post, which the Principal or their senior management representative may from time to time require.
- We reserve the right to introduce changes in line with technological developments which may impact upon the job duties or methods of working.
Job Type: Full-time
Salary: Up to £39,462.00 per year
Benefits:
- Flexitime
Schedule:
- 12 hour shift
- Flexitime
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Oxford: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Experience:
- Boarding House: 3 years (required)
Work Location: In person
Expected start date: 21/08/2023
