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- Tasks: Lead and support a team of House Parents while ensuring student wellbeing and safety.
- Company: Join Oxford Summer Courses, a B Corp committed to inspiring independent thought.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, accommodation, meals, and paid training included.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while fostering a nurturing community.
- Qualifications: Experience with children and strong leadership skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and development.
The predicted salary is between 35000 - 45000 £ per year.
This job is brought to you by Jobs/Redefined, the UK's leading over-50s age inclusive jobs board.
About Oxford Summer Courses
Founded by school friends and Oxford graduates, Oxford Summer Courses is part of the Summer Discovery Group. We are driven by a singular vision: to inspire and nurture independent thought through world-class education. As a certified B Corp, we are also committed to making a positive social and environmental impact.
Our students aged 9-24 explore their passions, challenge their thinking, and immerse themselves in academic traditions across multiple prestigious locations in Oxford, Cambridge and top boarding schools. We believe that education should be as unique as the student. That’s why we offer a fully tailored learning experience with no rigid syllabus. Instead, our tutors adapt each course to the specific interests and goals of the students attending.
About the role
Support the wellbeing and personal development of younger students while leading and managing the House Parent team in your boarding house. As Senior House Parent, you’ll take the lead in creating a warm, structured, and nurturing home for students aged 9-12 or 12-14. Acting in loco parentis, you’ll oversee the day-to-day running of your boarding house, ensuring every student feels safe, cared for, and supported. Alongside this, you’ll manage and mentor your team of House Parents, maintaining high standards of pastoral care and fostering a positive, community-minded atmosphere across the house.
Dates
Course dates between the start of July and mid-August 2026
Pay details
£823.71 per week (£735 weekly pay + accrued holiday pay, paid in the final payroll)
Additional benefits
- Accommodation and selected meals included
- Paid training
- Enhanced DBS provided (if required)
Working pattern
Saturday to Saturday, up to 55 hours per week on a shift pattern with overnight duties. 1 day off per week.
Reports to
Safeguarding & Welfare Manager
Main duties
- Team leadership and management: Lead and support House Parents in your boarding house, ensuring clarity of responsibilities and high standards of care. Provide regular check-ins to help staff deliver an exceptional pastoral experience.
- Student wellbeing and behaviour: Build strong relationships with students, providing daily care and guidance while promoting an atmosphere of respect, inclusion, and kindness. Encourage confidence, independence, and positive social interactions.
- Residential routines: Oversee daily house routines including registrations, meals, curfews, and overnight duties, ensuring consistency and coordination across the team.
- Communication and collaboration: Work closely with the Safeguarding & Welfare Manager and senior leadership team to ensure a joined-up approach to student care and effective handovers between teams.
- Welfare and safeguarding: Take responsibility for the wellbeing and safeguarding of your house, reporting any concerns promptly to the Safeguarding & Welfare Manager and maintaining accurate records.
About you
You’re a confident and caring leader who creates a calm, supportive environment where children feel safe, happy, and at home. You communicate with warmth and professionalism, building trust quickly with students, parents, and colleagues. Organised and proactive, you handle challenges with composure and bring positive energy to your team, inspiring those around you to deliver their best.
Essential
- Experience of working with children, ideally in residential or pastoral care roles.
- Clear evidence of providing emotional and social support to younger students and responding promptly to welfare concerns.
- Proven ability to create a positive, inclusive environment that promotes student well-being, and effective communication.
- Excellent leadership, organisational, and interpersonal skills suited to working with younger students.
- Right to work in the UK (we cannot sponsor work visas for this role).
Desirable
- Knowledge of child development, social and emotional needs, and safeguarding within residential or educational settings.
- Experience in boarding schools, summer camps, or similar residential programmes.
- Familiarity with first aid or safeguarding certifications.
Oxford Summer Courses is committed to safeguarding and protecting children. All staff undergo enhanced DBS checks, and references are requested and, where appropriate, validated. Only successful applicants will be contacted. This advert does not discriminate on the basis of gender, marital status, race, religion, colour, age, disability, or sexual orientation. Candidates are assessed solely on their merits, qualifications, and ability to perform the role. Reasonable adjustment requests, including accessible documents or interview modifications, are welcomed and should be communicated to the recruitment team.
Senior House Parent in London employer: Oxford Summer Courses
Contact Detail:
Oxford Summer Courses Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior House Parent in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who have experience with summer programmes or residential care. A friendly chat can lead to valuable insights and even job leads.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to pastoral care and student wellbeing. We recommend role-playing with a friend to boost your confidence and refine your responses.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams or supported students in previous roles. This will help you stand out as a strong candidate.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior House Parent in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Education: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for nurturing young minds shine through. We want to see how you can inspire and support students in their personal development, so share any relevant experiences that highlight your commitment to education.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so make sure to structure your thoughts well and avoid unnecessary jargon. This will help us understand your qualifications and how you fit into our vision.
Highlight Your Leadership Skills: As a Senior House Parent, you'll be leading a team, so it's crucial to showcase your leadership experience. Share specific examples of how you've successfully managed teams or supported others in a caring environment, as this is key to what we’re looking for.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This ensures that your application reaches us promptly and allows you to easily track your application status. Plus, it’s super simple!
How to prepare for a job interview at Oxford Summer Courses
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Senior House Parent. Familiarise yourself with the key duties like team leadership, student wellbeing, and communication with the Safeguarding & Welfare Manager. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led a team or supported students. Highlight how you created a positive environment and managed challenges. This is crucial as the role requires strong leadership and interpersonal skills, so be ready to discuss specific situations that showcase these abilities.
✨Emphasise Your Caring Nature
As a Senior House Parent, your ability to connect with students is vital. Think of instances where you've provided emotional support or fostered inclusivity. Be prepared to talk about how you build trust and create a safe space for children, as this aligns perfectly with the ethos of Oxford Summer Courses.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the role and the organisation. Inquire about their approach to student welfare or how they support their staff. This shows your enthusiasm for the position and helps you gauge if the environment aligns with your values.