Head of Boarding

Location

Oxfordshire | United Kingdom

Job description

Do you believe that all children have the potential to make more than expected progress? If so, please read on…

We are seeking to appoint a fantastic Head of Boarding, with teacher responsibilities, to join our Boarding and teaching team from September 2023. The OPS has a fantastic local and national reputation as one of the country's leading prep schools, which educates children from 2 – 13. As you can imagine, our dedicated staff and superb facilities provide our children with unique opportunities to support their learning. We are looking for the right person to contribute to our children, our team and the wider school family.

The pupils at The Oratory Prep School are absolutely delightful and are enthusiastic learners. Parental support is very strong and the Governing Body (Bellevue Education) is committed to improving outcomes and experiences for our children.

We are looking for someone who is:

• Able to demonstrate strong, positive relationships with Prep-aged pupils
• As the candidate will be required to teach - Excellent in the classroom (Ideally Humanities - History/Geography), with an outstanding ability to engage and enthuse children
• Keen to be fully involved in the Sports provision at the school
• Keen to showcase leadership behaviours to support children, staff and parents
• Able to challenge, support and motivate all children to achieve high standards
• Open to new ideas and willing to commit to new initiatives
• Eager to take a full and active part in all aspects of our school community
• An excellent communicator with pupils, parents and staff
• Naturally positive and a fun team player – with a great sense of humour!

In return, we can offer you the opportunity to:

• Teach well behaved, highly motivated children who are keen to develop their own learning
• Work within a school community that is proud of its achievements and well-motivated to continue to develop further
• Work within a supportive team
• Regular non-contact time
• Great professional development tailored to fit your needs

The Headmaster, Mr De Silva, would be delighted to talk to potential candidate about the school and about the role. To visit the school/speak to Mr De Silva, please contact Mrs Whitaker (The Headmaster’s PA)  [email protected] . Please use the same email address to receive an application pack. We may interview and appoint before the closing date, so early applicants are encouraged.

Functions and Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the personal and academic development of all the children in his or her care
• Ensure the National Minimum Standards for Boarding are adhered to and compliance for the regulations are met
• Work with the Marketing Manager and Registrar on the school strategy to promote boarding and pupil recruitment to the school
• Support flexi-boarding and create flexi-boarding weeks that are stimulating and enriching
• Make all necessary domestic arrangements for the comfort, health and welfare of the pupils in the Boarding House
• See that the Boarding House is always properly and efficiently staffed, overseeing the whole boarding staff team.
• Conduct all ordinary correspondence with parents and others concerning the health and welfare of boarders at the Boarding House
• Ensure that all furniture, equipment and fittings in the Boarding House, including the private side, remain in good repair and condition (fair wear and tear excepted), and arrange for all required maintenance
• Liaising with the Finance department to keep proper accounts of all expenditure of the Boarding House for items invoiced directly to the school, and processes invoices for payment. To keep accurate records of expenditure from the students’ disbursements and provides these records to finance staff;
• Maintain confidentiality at all times in respect of school-related matters and to prevent disclosure of confidential and sensitive information
• Undertake all reasonable requests and directions made by, or on behalf of, the Governors to promote the interests of the Oratory Prep School and of their Boarding House
• Support the school’s holiday provision and International Summer School (to be discussed)
• Act as Fire Officer

Qualities & Skills

• Friendly, professional, dedicated and committed
• Excellent organisational skills
• Experienced line manager with excellent communication skills and ease in dealing with staff and parents
• Committed to the Catholic ethos of the school
• Emotionally intelligent, adaptable and empathetic
• Able to manage parents sympathetically
• Willing to contribute to extra-curricular activities
• A passion for supporting children in education, and being energetic, enthusiastic and motivated.

Qualifications

• Qualified Teacher Status
• Trained Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead or willing to be trained
• Examples of CPD to develop teaching and learning in the Prep age range
• Evidence of Child Protection training
• Ideally a Geography or History teacher

Job tags

Salary