Boarding Houseparent (Teaching or Non-Teaching)

Location: Surrey
School: St Catherine's School
Type: Full-time | Fixed Term
Email Bluesky Facebook LinkedIn WhatsApp

Summary

An opportunity has arisen for a Boarding Houseparent (Teaching or Non-Teaching) to join St Catherine's School from 20th April.

Detail

St Catherine's School is seeking a highly organised, caring, and proactive Houseparent to join our boarding community for the summer term from 20th April. This live‑in role plays a central part in creating a warm, safe, and structured environment where every pupil feels known, valued, and supported.

As a key pastoral figure, you will build strong relationships with pupils, oversee daily routines, promote wellbeing, and contribute to a positive, inclusive house culture. This position is open to teaching and non‑teaching applicants. Teaching staff will hold a reduced timetable; non‑teaching staff will focus primarily on pastoral and residential responsibilities.

This is a temporary position on a fixed term contract from April to July, with the possibility to become permanent.

Key Responsibilities include (but the list is not exhaustive):

Pastoral Care & Wellbeing

Build trusting, supportive relationships with pupils.
Promote emotional, social, and physical wellbeing, escalating concerns appropriately.
Encourage healthy routines, positive behaviour, and structured daily habits.
Provide daily check‑ins, wake‑up routines, end‑of‑day contact, and supervision during unstructured times.

Safeguarding

Uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and child protection.
Follow statutory guidance, including KCSIE, and all school safeguarding policies.
Maintain accurate records of wellbeing, behaviour, and safeguarding matters.

Medical, Emotional & Practical Support

Respond appropriately to minor illnesses, injuries, or emotional needs.
Liaise with the Health Centre as required.
Support pupils in developing independence, resilience, and self‑care skills.

Boarding House Operations

Oversee daily routines: wake‑up, roll calls, prep, meals, bedtimes, and supervision rotas.
Help maintain a calm, tidy, and welcoming house environment.
Support evening and weekend activities, trips, and enrichment.
Work collaboratively with domestic, catering, medical, maintenance, and administrative teams.
Participate in evening, weekend, and on‑call duties.
Operate in line with the National Minimum Standards for Boarding.

Parent & Guardian Communication

Build warm, professional relationships with parents and guardians.
Communicate progress, concerns, and achievements in a timely, supportive manner.

Academic Support

Supervise prep and encourage positive study habits.
Teaching Houseparent: Teach a reduced timetable and contribute to departmental responsibilities.
Non‑Teaching Houseparent: Provide general academic guidance and organisational support.

Community

Promote an inclusive, respectful house culture grounded in kindness and community.
Support house events, celebrations, and activities that foster belonging.
Model professionalism, integrity, and positive behaviour.

Person Specification – Essential Qualities

Kindness and compassion
Effective communication skills
Strong organisation and attention to detail
Professional judgement and sound decision‑making
Collaborative, inclusive approach
‘Can‑do’ attitude with initiative
Digital fluency
Resilience and adaptability under pressure

How to Apply

Please apply via MyNewTerm where you will be asked to complete the MyNewTerm application form. Details of which can be found on our Job Opportunities page on our School website at:

www.stcatherines.info/welcome/job-opportunities

Closing date: 12 noon, Friday 13th March 2026

Please note that applications will be assessed in order of receipt and interviews may occur at any stage after applications are received. Please apply as soon as possible.

St Catherine’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff to share this commitment. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and an enhanced DBS and barred list check. The School is an equal opportunities employer.