Description
Fixed Term Contract – 6 July to 20 August 2023 (6 weeks)
Residential role – accommodation and all meals provided
Whitgift is a leading independent day and boarding school for boys, with approximately 1500 pupils including over 100 boarding pupils and flexi boarding pupils. It is set in an attractive 48-acre parkland site in South Croydon enjoying excellent links to London, Surrey and the south coast.
During the summer holidays Whitgift runs its own Summer School for international students, utilising all its fantastic facilities and modern boarding house. Whitgift Summer School (part of Whitgift Short Courses), with its innovative and exciting English language course and activities which involves English speaking students, is designed to appeal to girls and boys aged 11-17 from all over the world.
We are seeking to appoint a team of House Parents who will be responsible for the pastoral care and well-being of all the international students at the 2023 Whitgift Summer School. House Parents manage the day-to-day boarding house operation and help generate a welcoming, supportive and fun atmosphere in the house, ensuring the students safety and well-being at all times. Applicants will be expected to contribute to the full life of our busy summer school.
Candidates must be hard-working, reliable and professional and be willing to go the extra mile to ensure the safety and well-being of all students. They must have the ability and skills to build a caring, friendly and positive rapport with students, while, at the same time, being able to deal appropriately with discipline issues when required. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential, as is the ability to work calmly, effectively and positively, even whilst under pressure.
Applicants must be passionate about child welfare and be educated to degree level. Previous experience of working with children in a professional setting is essential, preferably in a summer school, residential or boarding house context. Applicants with any vocational training in areas such as childcare, education or counselling are welcomed. Proficiency in spoken and written English is essential. The ability to work as part of a team is necessary.
This is a residential role in order to offer students a first-class pastoral and welfare service. Even when off duty, the House Parents must be willing to assist in case of any emergency thatmay arise, especially throughout the night.
Applicants must be able to present evidence of their right to work in the UK for the duration of the contract.
We welcome applications from all sectors of our community as we aspire to attract staff that match the social and cultural diversity of our student intake.
Further information about the role and the skills required is available by selecting the ‘Documents‘ button at the top right of the advertisement. Click the green ‘Apply‘ button on the top rightfor the online application form.
For any queries, please telephone the Summer School on 020 8633 9924 or email
The Summer School will run for six weeks, and, although applicants who have full availability throughout this period are prioritised, applications for shorter periods may be considered. Therefore, if you are unable to work for the entire 6 weeks, please state this clearly within the additional information section of the application form and provide reasons.
Applications will be reviewed daily, and interviews may occur at any stage after applications are received, so we invite interested candidates to apply as soon as possible. The school reserves the right to appoint at any stage of the recruitment process.
Closing Date: 30 March 2023
Whitgift School (part of the John Whitgift Foundation) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening including checks with past employers, the Disclosure & Barring Service and social media checks (including personal, professional and other online activities).
Click here to apply.
