Boarding Houseparent (Girls' Boarding House)

About the Role

The Boarding Houseparent plays a key role in the life of this specialist music school where the provision of warm and supportive pastoral care is a vital and indispensable element of the School’s atmosphere and ethos. A sense of humour is essential, as is an interest in the performing arts and empathy with the concerns and issues which affect the lives of young musicians.

The Boarding Houseparent is responsible for the smooth running of the House and for the wellbeing and happiness of its pupils. Reporting to and managed by the Head, she/he is supported by Assistant House staff. You will also be responsible for contributing to school life in other ways, through teaching, administration, etc.

Key Duties & Responsibilities 

The duties consist of the following: 

• Ensuring the pastoral welfare of all the pupils in the House, with safeguarding foremost in mind.
• Liaising with the Head over matters of discipline and pastoral welfare of the pupils where a breach of the rules or an event has occurred which affects the wellbeing of the pupils and the good name of the School.
• Ensuring daily comments are recorded in the House log and that the log is regularly presented to the Head for inspection.
• Ensuring that all sanctions/restrictions of privilege are recorded on the admin drive for inspection by the Head whenever requested.
• Making sure all staff who assist with pastoral duties in the House are fully briefed.
• Writing termly House Reports for parents which contain an accurate overview of the pupil’s progress, including (but not restricted to) their pastoral and social welfare.
• Providing the pupils in the House with sufficient responsibilities to ensure that there is the opportunity for social awareness and development.
• Ensuring that the House accommodation is kept neat and tidy by the occupants and that all corridors and fire exits are free of obstructions.
• Making sure all fire drills are carried out efficiently and safely and the Room List is up to date and available.
• Attending all Pastoral and Boarding meetings.
• Liaising with the Bursar and Director of Estates and Facilities about all breakages, repairs and renewals within Harris House accommodation and within the School at large.
• Ensuring the security of the House at night-time.
• Holding regular House Meetings for the boarders.
• Being available to discuss careers and personal problems and adjudicate on disputes.
• Proactively identifying bullying or teasing and acting on it appropriately; all incidents to be recorded in a log.
• Ensure that the travel arrangements and destinations of the boys for School vacations are organised well in advance and are satisfactory to both School and parents.
• Taking part in the interviewing of prospective candidates for the School and communicating a written report to the Registrar.
• Taking trips outside the School, and in particular organising events/activities in the evenings and at weekends.
• Assisting in the supervision of instrumental practice.
• Supervising younger pupils’ private study, as required.
• Taking pupils to appointments (medical and otherwise), as required.
• Registering and being the tutor for a specific year group.
• Attending musical performances, lunchtime concerts and showcases to register pupils and ensure they behave in an appropriate manner at each event.
• Taking an active interest in the musical performances of all pupils in the House.
• Being present at the start and end of terms/half terms to supervise pupils on arrival and departure.
• Ensuring the House is clean and tidy when pupils are absent, so cleaning can take place or outside lets can access their areas.
• Attending Open days for prospective pupils and their families.
• Attending annual parent/teacher meetings.

Other Responsibilities

• The post of Boarding Houseparent may be combined with another school role. 

  This is not an exhaustive list: it is the responsibility of the Boarding Houseparent to do whatever is necessary to ensure the safety, welfare, discipline and happiness of the pupils in the girls’ Boarding House and such other duties as the School may from time to time require.

For full details about the role, please download the Candidate Information Pack.

If you would like to apply for the role, please use the 'Apply Now' button at the top of the page and complete our application form. The deadline for applications is Friday 2 May 2025.