Group Head of Boarding

The Boarding Manager reports into the Group Head of Operational Risk. This position is responsible for playing a key supporting role to the Group Head of Operational Risk and all ISP Schools to ensure the effective management of boarding, homestays and guardians throughout the organisation. The role demands an ability to build strong relationships with staff at all levels within our schools, external stakeholders and group headquarters, while delivering positive outcomes at the local, regional and international level.

ISP Principles

• Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Wellbeing and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding and Health & Safety issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.
• Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.
• Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.
• Are financially responsible. We make financial choices carefully based on the needs of the children, students and our schools.
• Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

ISP Group Boarding Manager Key Responsibilities

• Act as a champion and spokesperson for boarding, homestay and guardianships across ISP.
• Ensure all aspects of the day-to-day operations, pastoral care and safeguarding taking place in boarding houses, homestays and guardianships adhere to ISP policies.
• Understand and keep abreast of all relevant regulations, laws etc. in the relevant countries that ISP operate boarding house, homestays and where guardians are present.
• Ensure that Homestay partners and Guardians are aligned with ISP policies and they maintain a high standard of care of our students.
• Regularly review the boarding staff and boarding student handbooks for each school and related policies, ensuring these are in line with the ISP policy and are fully embedded.
• Regularly review and update the Boarding, Homestay and Guardian policies to ensure they reflect current safeguarding practices.
• Carry out annual audits or self-assessments of boarding facilities.
• Complete reports from onsite audits and or review self-assessments produced by the schools.
• Support, monitor and assist schools, regions and divisions in creating action plans to manage the actions raised from the audits and self-assessments.
• Define the key performance indicators to be reported on a regular basis.
• Advise boarding staff in best practice in the care of boarding students.
• Support boarding staff in defining and recording daily duties.
• Work with Group Safeguarding Managers to ensure safeguarding procedures are embedded.
• Ensure that all boarding houses meet and record their KPI’s for emergency drills.
• Meet with regional teams and boarding directors/managers on a regular basis to ensure safety actions are being recorded and addressed.
• Review and update security risk assessments on a regular basis, at least annually with boarding directors/managers.

Skills, Qualifications and Experience

• Fluency in English is essential; fluency in Spanish is a benefit.
• Must have worked at a senior level as a Boarding Director in a school or a multi-school business.
• International education experience.
• Excellent communicator.
• Disciplined and focused on targets and able to work in isolation.
• Be driven and able to meet realistic deadlines.
• Adaptable to different cultures and situations.
• Flexibility in travel, happy to spend periods away from home.

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

ISP is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures, including an online due diligence search, references and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years’ employment history.

ISP Commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

ISP is committed to strengthening our inclusive culture by identifying, hiring, developing, and retaining high-performing teammates regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender expression, age, disability status, neurodivergence, socio-economic background or other demographic characteristics. Candidates who share our vision and principles and are interested in contributing to the success of ISP through this role are strongly encouraged to apply.