Overview
As Head of Boarding, you lead and shape the boarding provision to support a safe, welcoming, and high‑performing community for international students aged 16–19. You will line-manage the boarding team, develop a responsive development plan, and partner with academic and operational colleagues to deliver excellent pastoral care, safeguarding, and residential life. You’ll drive health, safety and compliance while fostering student wellbeing and independence. This role offers a chance to influence school life through proactive policy development and community engagement.
Responsibilities
- Provide leadership and direction for the boarding provision and line-manage the Boarding Team
- Develop and implement a Boarding Development Plan aligned with the School Development Plan
- Lead safeguarding, pastoral care and student experience efforts across boarding
- Oversee boarding operations, including rotas, inductions, student whereabouts, and front-of-house
- Create and maintain a positive boarding community with a varied activity programme
- Ensure compliance with safeguarding, health and safety, and regulatory requirements, and support inspection processes
- Communicate effectively with families and collaborate with academic, pastoral and facilities teams
- Identify and implement improvements to safety, policies, and boarding systems
Key requirements
- Strong experience in boarding, pastoral care or a related environment
- Proven leadership and people development capabilities
- Solid safeguarding knowledge and commitment to young people's welfare
- Experience working with 16–19-year-old students
- Ability to build relationships across cultures while maintaining professional boundaries
- Good judgement, calm decision-making in challenging situations
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proactive approach to solving problems and improving provision
- Understanding of health and safety, compliance and premises management in a residential setting
- Ability to collaborate across academic, pastoral and operational teams
- Willingness to work evenings, weekends and provide boarding cover when required
- Desirable: experience in international/boarding school settings, DDSL/DSL, inspection or QA experience, facilities/estate oversight, policy development, School Development Plan contribution, leadership qualifications
- Desirable: experience with international families and relevant qualifications
- Empathy
- Strong communication
- Calm under pressure
- Safeguarding knowledge (DDSL/DSL)
- Health and safety management
- Risk assessment
Head of Boarding employer: EF Education First
EF (Education First) is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, perfect for those passionate about enriching the lives of international students. With a focus on employee growth, you will have the chance to develop your leadership skills while working in the dynamic environment of London, known for its multicultural atmosphere and diverse community. Join us to make a meaningful impact through engaging activities and events, all while enjoying a supportive team that values your contributions.
