Mander Portman Woodward (MPW) is an independent education provider and one of the best known and most well-respected independent colleges in the UK. Owned by Kaplan International, MPW offers a wide range of GCSE and A level subjects in a socially relaxed yet highly academically disciplined environment. MPW has built an enviable reputation for top academic results, excellent pastoral care and inspired teaching tailored to the needs of each student.
MPW London opened a student boarding facility in January 2023, and are now searching for a Resident Houseparent to join the team. Boarding at Queens Gate House, opposite the Natural History Museum in South Kensington, houses 71 boarders from a variety of nationalities, and this role is a unique opportunity to shape what will be second-to-none, 21st century boarding in the heart of London. Full training will be provided.
Our Houseparents live in brand new studio apartments in our building on Queens Gate, in the heart of Kensington, surrounded by restaurants, shops and the famous museums across the road from our boarding house. All meals will be included with the role, and accommodation will be provided free of rent and utilities. Houseparents work 44 hours front line duty per week, with one day off during the working week and every third weekend off.
If you feel this role suits your next career move and you wish to join our strong team, please apply with your CV now. Interviews will be held as applications are received.
Main duties and responsibilities:
Pastoral Care
- Working closely with Directors of Studies and other key pastoral staff in college, to provide the highest possible pastoral care to boarders
- To ensure that the boarding house provides a ‘home from home’ atmosphere to all boarders
- To promote boarders’ health and wellbeing and to act upon concerns about boarders including, but not limited to, concerns regarding sleep patterns, work ethic, unhealthy habits, personal hygiene, medical and mental health concerns, and to support all boarders, offering personal support.
- To contribute to the boarding induction programme fully by providing activities and support for boarders settling into boarding
- To follow all safeguarding policies and requirements
- To contribute to the collection of Boarders’ Voice, collaborating with colleagues to feed boarders’ views into the Boarding Development Plan
- To take particular care of a group of boarders within the house (Huddle), meeting at least weekly with the group and undertaking room visits once weekly with the students in the Houseparent’s Huddle.
- To provide emergency first aid to boarders as required, including accompanying boarders to medical appointments or A&E as required.
- To join boarders for meals as often as is practicable
- To work with boarders’ DOS, attendance officer and the Vice Principal (Pastoral) on issues related to attendance and timekeeping for lessons.
Health and Safety
- To undertake registers as required, including morning registers and evening registers
- To liaise with security to ensure that the building is secured in evenings
- To undertake regular visual checks of the boarding house, checking for electrical safety, hygiene and cleanliness
- To undertake room searches in line with college policy as required for disciplinary or pastoral reasons
- To regularly check REACH boarding software to ensure boarders are signed in or out of boarding appropriately, taking immediate action with discrepancies and following the Missing Student policy immediately in any cases of missing pupils.
Communications
- To oversee boarders’ prep when on duty and to communicate with teaching staff as required, including oversight of boarders’ prep via Firefly and regular meetings with DoS as appropriate.
- To communicate regularly, effectively and professionally with boarders’ parents, educational guardians and agents as required.
- To ensure good communication with colleagues and teaching staff
- To liaise with marketing to promote boarding events and activities on social media and in termly boarding newsletters
- To attend weekly boarding meetings, chaired by the Vice Principal (Boarding)
Administrative duties
- To ensure compliance with National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools (Sept 2022), contributing to Boarding Self-Evaluations and Development Planning.
- Assist in the management of the boarding house, including arranging boarder travel details and room inventories
- To maintain boarders records as appropriate, including keeping accurate records as required in National Minimum Standards such as major sanctions, room searches, pastoral concerns, medical records and confiscations.
- To ensure that boarder snacks and stocks are kept up to date, including undertaking checks of house kitchens regularly
- To oversee the provision of boarders’ laundry
- To report maintenance issues as appropriate
- To take part in the process of auditing of boarding, annual reviews and procedures
Trips and Activities
- To assist with the organisation and planning of boarders’ in-house activities, cultural celebrations and trips programme
- To attend trips with boarders as available and as required
- To arrange termly ‘Huddle trips’ for boarders in the charge of the Houseparent
Appropriate training will be provided.
You may also be required to undertake such other comparable duties as MPW requires from time to time.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: £21,000.00-£24,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Discounted or free food
Physical setting:
- Live-in
Education:
- GCSE or equivalent (preferred)
Language:
- English (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (preferred)
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 10/01/2024
