Senior House Parent

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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.