House Parent

David Game College
Residential House Parent – Job Description
Appointment from October 2023

Purpose and Scope of the Post
All House Parents are line-managed by the Head of Boarding, and are responsible for the
pastoral care in the Residential Boarding House. All House Parents are supported in their role by Assistant House Parent.

1. The Role
All House Parents must create a positive atmosphere within the House which is supportive
of the College as a centre for teaching and learning. They should foster a culture which is
based on high standards and expectations, are both caring and demanding and show
commitment to the needs of all students.

2. Responsibilities
To be responsible for the organisation of a Residential Boarding House by:
i. Taking direct responsibility for the pastoral care of students in the House and
reporting any issues to the Head of Boarding as appropriate;
ii. Holding regular meetings with the house staff and students, encouraging student
engagement with their environment through Student/Boarders Voice, and inviting
input into the management of the House from house staff;
iii. Attending weekly House Parent Meetings;
iv. Conducting a regular audit of the facilities and furnishings in the house, reporting any
concerns to the Properties Services Manager for any action;
v. Maintaining an overview of Health and Safety issues in the House;
vi. Contributing to the pastoral reports to the Head of Boarding and contributing to the
Colleges Development Plan;
vii. Having the overview of the welfare and academic achievements of all students in the
House.

3. Pastoral
i. To act in as loco parentis and to be an appropriate role model for boarders.
ii. To encourage the development of each boarder; socially, emotionally, academically
and spiritually.
iii. To communicate regularly and effectively with the boarding and wider Pastoral team
on issues relating to the general welfare of boarders, in particular matters causing
concern.
iv. Be aware of all aspects of Safeguarding and attend relevant training; make
appropriateness for rules to the schools designated Safeguarding Lead for Boarding.
v. Establish and maintain appropriate standards of boarders’ behaviour in support of the
schools reward and sanction policy.
vi. Demonstrate care, compassion, availability, common sense and above all reliability
and accountability.
vii. Work with the College Nurse to ensure students medical needs are fully met by the
boarding team; including attending hospital and doctor appointments when the
necessary to assist the boarding team.
viii. To attend meetings which will promote support from reach boarding students’
progress.
ix. To encourage a culture of learning creativity and development in the boarding house,
to ensure that the conditions supervision to the evening study are conducive to
academic progress.
x. To be aware that they progress of students and to communicate with respect and
teachers any areas of concern.
xi. To enter into or supervisory and duties as required by the schedule events and
activities, according to the Duty Rota.
xii. To work flexibly in accordance with the requirements of other members of the
boarding team in order to ensure a harmonious and professional environment.
xiii. To oversee the order of the bedrooms, bathrooms, kitchen and boarders’ common
room, assisting boarding students to develop healthy and independent use to their
own personal space and person.
xiv. To complete waking up duties, which include final check every evening of the
students at the time of lights out, so as to ascertain that each student his account of
four and precautions are taken in case of an emergency during the night.

Overseeing the safety, good discipline, pastoral well-being and academic performance of
students by:
i. Ensuring that the Colleges’ boarding policies on safeguarding and behaviour are fully
understood by the staff and students and adhered to;
ii. Being aware of the implications of the National Minimum Standards for Boarding
Schools and OFSTED Boarding Inspection criteria;
iii. Ensuring that a full understanding of the circumstances of each student in the House,
their strengths, weaknesses, aptitudes and abilities are clearly identified and shared
with relevant staff so that individual talents and potential are developed and
maximised;
iv. Co-ordinating and contributing to a full and varied programme of enrichment activities
and trips ensuring that every student has the opportunity to participate;
v. Monitor welfare, health and emotional issues through Individual Welfare Plans;
vi. Ensuring that concerns for a student’s welfare are referred to the appropriate internal
staff;
vii. Ensuring that appropriate travel arrangements for students are in place in advance at
the beginning and end of each term and half-term, remaining resident in the building
until all students have departed, or make alternative provisions for their welfare and
safety.
viii. Liaising on all medical issues involving students in the House and the administering
of medicines;
ix. Accompanying students to medical appointments when the chaperone is not
available.
x. Ensuring, where appropriate, that teaching staff know of students’ background
circumstances which might affect their academic performance;
xi. Communicating regularly with parents of students, including responding promptly as
a matter of courtesy to all email or phone communications by parents i.e. within 48
hours;
xii. Encouraging a healthy and positive use of students’ free time;
xiii. Overseeing the arrangement of House teams and participation in Inter-House
competitions.
xiv. Recording the students’ achievements, academic mentoring and misconduct in
School Base;
xv. Agreeing and implementing the House’s Academic Mentoring programme with the
Head of Boarding, being aware of the academic progress of each student in the
House, their Target-Grades, most recent Working-Grades and their latest PredictedGrades where relevant;
xvi. Supporting students in maximising their private study time so that they achieve the
best that they can academically and providing guidance, support and advice for
progression routes at all levels where able.
xvii. Supporting International Boarders where possible at Parents’ Consultation and
Information Evenings.

4. Expectations
House Parent are expected to take a proactive role in the managing of the House by
being present as much as possible and having a flexible approach to duties
including:
i. Being on duty on the last evening and last day of each half-term regardless of
time-off.
ii. Being on duty on the evening before the start of each half-term regardless of
time-off.
iii. Being present at all major school events including Annual Prize-Giving,
GCSE/Sixth Form Dinners, Christmas dinners/discos and any other significant
events;
iv. Being present at least once per week in assembly.
v. House Parents must ensure the delivery of practice laid out in the Staff
Handbook.
vi House Parents are responsible for the leadership, training and support of the
House staff and work with the Head of Boarding in the implementation of school’s
policies.
Vii House Parent are expected to evidence research informed improvements over a
sustained period of time.
Supervision of the House at all times will be the responsibility of the House Parent.

5. On Call
The House Parent will be ‘on call’ each night when not on duty.

Other
i. Being responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young
people for whom he/she is responsible or comes into contact with.
ii. To undertake any other reasonable duty at the request of the Co-Principal or Head of
Boarding
iii. To adopt professional dress codes whilst on duty and behave in a professional
manner at all times
iV. Attend college Inset Days as published in the Calendar.
The above job description relates to your core function and is not exhaustive and can be
subject to change depending on context and needs.
David Game College is both a Day and Boarding and is committed to safeguarding and
promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share this
commitment – applicants must be willing to undergo appropriate screening including a DBS
check.