Residential Life Manager (Upper Sixth Boarding) in Wimborne Minster

Canford School is seeking to appoint two outstanding Residential Life Managers to play a pivotal role in shaping the next chapter of its Sixth Form College. The Residential Life Managers (Upper Sixth Boarders) will have the exciting opportunity to play a central role in building the Sixth Form culture within the newly established College at Canford. Each Residential Life Manager will act as the pastoral lead for a wing of the College Residences (girls or boys), shaping a positive, supportive and purposeful residential community. The overarching aim of the College is to prepare pupils for life beyond school by developing their independence and enabling them to make informed and confident decisions about their futures. The development of the College represents a pivotal moment for the School, and the successful candidate will have significant opportunity to contribute to its direction and to make a meaningful impact.

Residential Life Managers will report to the Residential Head of Sixth Form (RHSF) and work in close collaboration with colleagues across the Residential Life Team, the College Administration and Pupil Support (CAPS) team. All College residential staff are part of the wider pastoral network at Canford, working in collaboration with House teams across the school and under the supervision of the Deputy Head Pastoral. This is not a traditional houseparent role, but a distinctive pastoral leadership position within a Sixth Form College environment. It is focused on supporting young adults as they develop independence, take increasing responsibility for themselves, and prepare for the transition to life beyond school. It offers a rare opportunity to help shape a new model of Sixth Form residential life at a formative stage in its development.

Canford itself is one of the UK’s leading co-educational boarding and day schools, set within an exceptional historic campus and recognised nationally for its academic excellence, breadth of opportunity, and outstanding pastoral provision. With a vibrant community of around 650 pupils, the School offers a dynamic and supportive environment in which to work, where innovation in education and care is strongly encouraged and highly valued.

Working Hours

Residential Life Managers will be on duty approximately 40 hours per week on a rota basis which includes evenings and weekends during term time. When boarders are in residence Residential Life Managers will be part of an overnight on call rota for their wing of the College (approximately three weeknights and every other weekend, excluding exeats). Although the Residential Life Team work on a rota for the supervision of pupils in the College, it is important to appreciate that this is a role that requires flexibility around the needs of the pupils. Residential Life Managers may be required to work at times other than those published in the rota and/or during the school day. The post-holder will be required to work as necessary to complete the job (subject to the Working Time Regulations 1998).

Key Responsibilities

• Foster a residential culture where pupils are empowered to take increasing responsibility for themselves (with a particular focus on their wellbeing and decision making) whilst at the same time feeling confident to access the systems of support available to them.
• Be a frequent and visible presence across the Sixth Form College, forging positive relationships with pupils, parents and colleagues.
• Ensure that systems are in place to regularly capture boarding pupil voice and ensure that the offering in the College Hub and Residences is dynamic and responsive to pupil need.
• Assist in the recruitment of pupils to the school by contributing to initiatives designed to support admissions into the Sixth Form as well as the School in general; showing prospective parents round the Residences and discussing pastoral and educational matters with them; demonstrating enthusiasm for the College model and the opportunity it provides to prepare pupils for the transition to life beyond school.
• Be the first port of call for Upper Sixth Boarding pupils and their parents regarding pastoral matters.
• Work in close collaboration with the RHSF in matters relating to the welfare of Upper Sixth Boarders.
• Welcome Upper Sixth Boarders to the Residences and see that they are properly supported in their transition from House to College.
• Liaise with HSMs, together ensuring that pastoral handovers are comprehensive, and that pupils’ pastoral needs are understood and prioritised.
• Be available to Upper Sixth boarders for help and guidance, signposting appropriate support if the issue falls outside of the pastoral remit.
• Support the integration of day and boarding pupils within the wider Sixth Form College community through an inclusive programme of community and social events, fostering connection, wellbeing and enjoyment.
• Set high standards of personal behaviour and expect these from all pupils, implementing sanctions and/or interventions where pupils fall short of expectations.
• Support pupils in developing independence in areas such as time management, decision-making, self-regulation and preparation for life beyond school.
• Foster positive working relationships with parents by means of regular information sharing and collaboration.
• Write reports positively, offering both encouragement and strategies to support improvement.

Management of the College Residential provision

• Work in close partnership across the Residential Life Team, and the Residential Head of Sixth Form to set a positive and productive culture across the College and in each Residence.
• Conduct residential duties two evenings per week, being on call three nights per week on weekdays, and carrying out weekend duties on a fortnightly rota.
• Be responsive to significant pastoral issues that may arise during the day and evening (including at times when not rostered on duty).
• Lead and co-ordinate a structured residential programme of social, wellbeing and life-skills activities that supports pupils’ development of independence and community engagement.
• Promote opportunities for Upper Sixth Form Day Pupils to take advantage of residential opportunities in the College (in accordance with broader strategic aims for boarding provision).

Operations

• In collaboration with the CAPS team, ensure that registration of Upper Sixth boarding pupils is carried out as per statutory requirements, and that unauthorised or unexpected absences are followed up promptly.
• Ensure that College residences are properly looked after; that breakages and faults are reported to the Estates Bursar, and that pupils are encouraged to treat School property respectfully.

Safeguarding

• Effectively utilise pastoral systems, including My Concern, to log issues relating to safeguarding, wellbeing and welfare. Furthermore, keep clear, well organised records of all pupils including any disciplinary records, reports, emails from parents together with occasional notes which may be used for reference in the future.
• See that any requirements of the Children Act are adhered to: particularly promoting and safeguarding the welfare of all pupils for whom they are responsible or with whom they come into contact; ensuring compliance with the school’s Child Protection Policy Statement at all times; and reporting any concerns to the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead or the Headmaster.

Knowledge and Experience

• A degree or equivalent professional qualification.
• A recognised teaching, wellbeing or youth work qualification (e.g. PGCE, Youth Work, Social Care).
• Safeguarding / Child Protection training.
• Boarding practitioner accreditation or equivalent residential training.
• Experience working with young people aged 16–18 in a pastoral, educational, residential or youth work context.
• A clear understanding of the developmental, academic and pastoral needs of Upper Sixth pupils and the transition to adult life.
• Experience of managing or supporting pupils through significant transitions (e.g. into Sixth Form or post-18 pathways).
• Experience of working collaboratively within a multi‑disciplinary pastoral or student support team.
• Experience of engaging constructively with parents/carers in relation to pastoral matters.
• A clear understanding of safeguarding, child protection and welfare protocols for adolescents.
• Experience of managing complex pastoral situations with young people and families.
• Experience in a boarding or residential setting, or working closely with residential provision.
• Experience of contributing to enrichment, wellbeing or community‑building programmes for young people.
• Experience of supporting admissions, open days or pupil recruitment activities.

Key Skills

• Highly skilled communicator; able to build positive, professional relationships with pupils, parents and colleagues.
• Strong pastoral judgement; able to act as a first point of contact and appropriately signpost support.
• Ability to foster pupil voice and respond dynamically to pupil need.
• Ability to balance high expectations with care, applying behaviour standards and sanctions fairly and consistently.
• High level of organisation and administrative efficiency; able to manage records and work responsively at pace.
• Ability to design and contribute to engaging wellbeing, social and life‑skills provision.
• Effective ICT skills and confidence using management information/pastoral systems.
• Familiarity with digital safeguarding or pastoral recording systems (e.g. My Concern).

Personal Qualities

• Committed to contributing positively to a new and evolving College culture, with a willingness to shape and refine practice over time.
• Warm, approachable, proactive and empathetic; able to build trusting relationships with young people.
• Passionate about supporting the wellbeing, independence and personal development of young people.
• Adaptable, collaborative and supportive member of a multidisciplinary team.
• Resilient, calm under pressure and emotionally intelligent.
• Professional, discreet and values‑driven role model for young people.
• Visible and engaged presence within pupil spaces; committed to building a strong College community.

For queries contact the HR Department on 01202 847590 or by email: recruitment@canford.com. Further information may be obtained from Julia Bird (Assistant Head College) by emailing jfb@canford.com. Canford School is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of our Community and encourages applications from all suitably qualified candidates. Canford School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All successful job applicants will be required to undergo child protection screening.