Housemaster & Head of Boarding

The Role

The Housemaster leads the Boarding House team in creating a safe and supportive environment for all boarders, in which they are able to flourish.

Key Responsibilities

• To establish and uphold the procedures for the successful management and discipline of the Boarding House, directing the Boarding House team in implementing these on a daily basis;
• In collaboration with the Deputy Head Pastoral and Form Tutors to maintain oversight of all pastoral issues affecting boarders and to ensure that these are handled sensitively and confidentially, when required;
• To ensure that, at all times when boarders are in the House, there is a well-rounded and wide-ranging programme in place which caters for a variety of children in promoting and developing their interests;
• To be a member of the School’s Senior Management Team and the School’s Senior Pastoral Team; to attend all necessary meetings and to represent and promote boarding throughout the School;
• To lead the Boarding House team, ensuring the safety and pastoral welfare of all boarders;
• To manage the boarders’ wake up and breakfast and to ensure that all boarders arrive at their first morning commitment organised and in a timely fashion;
• To manage the boarders’ schedule and, with the assistance of the other boarding staff on duty, to facilitate a variety of activities, both physical and quiet;
• To encourage the development of friendships in the House;
• To encourage boarders to take responsibility for their own belongings and personal organisation;
• To supervise prep sessions when on duty, ensuring boarders use the time effectively and helping to facilitate additional resources or further dialogue with teachers, supported by the Prep Captains, when necessary;
• To manage mealtimes for boarders, implementing a seating plan whilst ensuring good table manners and a high standard of behaviour;
• To manage duty staff in overseeing bedtime routines, encouraging good personal hygiene and ensuring boarders prepare calmly for bed;
• In conjunction with the Boarding House Administrator, to co-ordinate with the King’s College Choir Office to facilitate arrangements for the choristers and their schedule;
• To uphold the necessary tone in behaviour, dress and formality that allows the choristers to fulfil their ‘professional’ public facing role;
• To accompany the choristers on tours, both domestic and international, which, in conjunction with the Director of Operations, the Housemaster will have effectively planned for;
• To supervise the choristers in Chapel, taking them to and from services and attending services as required;
• To be on call overnight according to an agreed rota and in conjunction with the Matron;
• To reside in the accompanying flat on site;
• To deal with any incidents as necessary, either behavioural or pastoral, and to record those of note in the Boarding House Pastoral Report on the School’s network and ensure all boarding staff follow these procedures;
• To monitor the standards of maintenance in the House, including furnishings and fittings, and to liaise with the Clerk of Works or School Bursar, as necessary;
• To undergo continued professional development as deemed necessary for the role;
• To maintain a high standard of personal conduct and appearance;
• To undertake other duties that may be reasonably assigned by the Head in order to make a full and active contribution to the life of the Boarding House and of the School.

Safeguarding & Child Protection

• To be familiar with the relevant School policies, as well as KCSIE, and to follow School procedures relating to safeguarding children;
• To ensure that all staff in the Boarding House follow and uphold best safeguarding practice in the Boarding House;
• To attend regular training sessions on Safeguarding and Child Protection issues; a record of attendance is kept by the School;
• To contact one of the Designated Safeguarding Leads with any concern about a child at the School.

Person Specification

The person appointed will have the necessary experience and qualifications, and will have demonstrated enthusiasm for and a proficiency in working with and supporting boarders. The role of Housemaster involves working with many different departments of both the School and College; the person appointed will need to have demonstrated versatility, efficiency, and exemplary communication skills. Excellent oral and written standards will be expected, as well as efficient administrative skills.

A sense of humour, an outstanding work ethic, the ability to remain calm in challenging situations, and exemplary interpersonal skills are all essential. The ability both to work as part of and to lead a team are crucial.

Essential

• Significant experience of working in a school boarding house, ideally that of a prep school;
• Leadership and management experience;
• Demonstrated ability to develop, promote, and take ownership of an area of expertise;
• Clear understanding of the National Minimum of Standards for Boarding and how to ensure compliance;
• Qualified Teacher Status or equivalent;
• Proven ability to teach children of all ages;
• Experience of classroom teaching with the ability to deliver excellent lessons
• An ability to generate ideas, drive initiatives, and implement changes in practice;
• Approachable, empathetic, committed, enthusiastic, motivated, calm, well-organised;
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills;
• A high level of ICT competence;
• An ability to be self-reflective;
• A willingness and enthusiasm to play an active part in the School community;
• An understanding of, and acceptance and commitment to, the principles underlying equal opportunities.

Desirable

• Experience of working with choristers, ideally within a choir school;
• An understanding of how to prepare a boarding house for inspection;
• An understanding of the necessary formalities within a Chapel Choir setting.

Benefits

The successful candidate will receive a highly competitive salary which includes other teaching responsibilities at the School. A two/three bedroom flat in the Boarding House is included with this role. Pension details may be found in the separate teaching job description.

The following benefits also apply:

• Meals provided when on duty during term time;
• Generous holiday entitlement;
• Pension scheme;
• Staff health scheme;
• Cycle to Work Scheme;
• Use of School sports’ facilities.

How to apply

Candidates should return the following documents by 9am on Friday 24th November 2023:

•  Application form together with a handwritten cover letter;
• Document detailing your reasons for applying and suitability for the role;
• Reference consent form;
• Equality and Diversity monitoring form (optional).

Please submit your application to: Mrs Yvette Day, Head and Master over the Choristers.

jobs@kcs.cambs.sch.uk.

Longlist interviews will be held in the week commencing 4th December; shortlist interviews will likely be held in early January.

See full Job Description for details.