Head of Boarding in Sidmouth

Live by the sea, in a school that feels like home

Imagine a job where your home is a short walk from the East Devon coast, your meals are provided, and your work is to make boarders from the UK and overseas feel known, safe and supported. That is the role of Head of Boarding at St John’s.

What comes with the role

• Rent-free accommodation on site
• Full board, with all meals in the School dining room
• Funded training, including safeguarding and boarding-specific courses
• A small, friendly, international community, with links to schools across the IES and SEK family

The role

St John’s is an independent day and boarding school for pupils from Nursery to Senior School. As Head of Boarding, you will report to the Head of School, sit on the Senior Management Team and act as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, so that boarding is fully joined up with academic and pastoral life. Your hours include evenings, weekends and overnight duties on the boarding rota.

What you will do

• Lead and develop the boarding team: Matron, Houseparents and Boarding Assistants
• Look after boarders’ welfare, safety and daily routines, including supervised evening prep and overnight cover
• Work with the Designated Safeguarding Lead as Deputy DSL for boarding
• Make sure boarding meets the National Minimum Standards and is always inspection-ready
• Plan evening and weekend activities that bring boarders and day pupils together
• Stay in close contact with parents and guardians, including families overseas
• Manage boarding admissions, induction and records, and support the School’s visa sponsor duties

What we are looking for

• Substantial boarding experience, including leading a boarding house or team
• Sound knowledge of the National Minimum Standards and Keeping Children Safe in Education
• Experience of handling safeguarding concerns, and Deputy DSL training (or willingness to complete it)
• Warmth, good judgement and a genuine interest in young people
• Excellent organisation and communication, including with families whose first language is not English
• Willingness to live on site and to work evenings, weekends and overnight

St John’s is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check with the Children’s Barred List, satisfactory references and other pre-employment checks. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education, shortlisted candidates may be subject to online searches. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. St John’s is an equal opportunities employer.