Residential Houseparent (Girls\' House - years 9-13)

Residential Houseparent Boarding is central to life at the Purcell School. Houseparents play a vital role in the wellbeing of our students, taking full responsibility for their welfare during term time and acting as role models for students and colleagues alike across the School. You will be managing the day-to-day care of boarders ensuring their wellbeing and safety, promoting a fulfilling educational experience and encouraging a caring, positive and productive ethos in the House.

You will be living within the boarding community and will provide visible and inspiring leadership within your House. You should have the ability to develop and maintain warm, respectful and valued rapport with young people, whilst understanding the professional boundaries that must exist between staff and students. You should act as a positive role model, demonstrating self-motivation and mature interpersonal skills.

You will need the ability to negotiate and manage complex events in a professional, effective manner and an understanding of community partnerships and organisation. Imagination, creativity, enthusiasm and a warm sense of humour are all essential! You will need effective communication skills (oral and written) and the ability to deal with students, parents and staff across the whole School.

We expect you to maintain high personal and professional standards, including recognition of the confidentiality issues impacting upon work in a school. You must be able to demonstrate an awareness of safeguarding and child protection legislation and issues and will be expected to uphold a full commitment to the best safeguarding practice. You will be committed to professional growth and development, especially in the area of safeguarding and student wellbeing.

You will need a flexible approach to your duties as overnight and weekend working will be required and a willingness to ‘muck in’ is essential. There is an expectation that Houseparents take full ownership of their House, ensuring that students have an outstanding boarding experience in every regard, advocating for them when necessary and proactively supporting them however they might need. You will be supported to achieve this by other members of your House team whom you will lead and manage.

This position is for the Senior Girls’ House. If you genuinely enjoy the company of young people and are passionate about making a significant difference to their lives, this could be the perfect job for you. You need to be prepared to put the students first during term time and thrive on developing and maintaining a House culture which supports the School’s aims and each individual in your care.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS: This is a full-time post across a 34 week academic year. Houseparents are entitled to a protected 24 hour period off each week and regular Exeat weekends and holidays, but can expect to be present and available at all other times. The salary will be based on the School’s salary scale, according to the successful candidate’s experience, with a contributory pension scheme. The post holder is required to live on-site. Subject to applicable HMRC rules, accommodation is provided free of rent, council tax and all utilities and is provided for the period of the contract. Meals are available and free of charge in the School dining hall during term time.

There is a six month probationary period with notice of one term on either side, after which the post will be confirmed with a notice period of two terms. This post is subject to regular appraisal.

HOW TO APPLY: If you wish to apply, please complete the School’s Application Form (available on our website) and send it with a supporting Personal Statement to the Principal as soon as possible. Please do not send a separate curriculum vitae. Personal statements should outline your experience and evidence your achievements. If you have a specific area of specialism or industry experience, please demonstrate how this enables you to contribute to an outstanding student experience. Interviews will explore pastoral experience, the ability to relate appropriately to students and a willingness to contribute to the whole School community. Candidates will be required to bring evidence of identity to the interview. Deadline for applications: Sunday 19th April 2026.

The Purcell School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Specific responsibilities are as follows:

• To provide the day-to-day care of boarders in their charge and to safeguard their welfare.
• To be aware of and comply with current health and safety, safeguarding and child protection legislation and procedures, and to uphold the School’s policy on child protection.
• To ensure that daily registration is carried out effectively and according to school policy.
• To encourage every student in their House to develop to their full potential, academically, musically and socially and to promote their personal development, including leadership, consideration for others and courtesy.
• To help ensure that boarding staff, parents and students understand the aims and objectives of boarding in the House and the principles on which community life in the House is based.
• To help maintain good order and ensure a high standard of discipline within their House, according to the School’s behaviour policy.
• To consult with appropriate staff, tutors, parents and guardians over issues involving students in their House so that their diverse learning, social and emotional needs are met.
• To help maintain all records as required including students’ individual files and to write the requisite pastoral and other reports as appropriate.
• To help manage the staffing, organisation and resources of the House efficiently, ensuring that appropriate adult supervision is provided at all times when students are in residence.
• To help manage the House budget in consultation with the Finance Manager.
• To ensure compliance within the House of the requirements of all current legislation (including the National Minimum Boarding Standards and Independent School Regulations) and all school policies.
• To support the smooth running of the House by being a proactive presence in the House throughout each week, and via the duty rota.
• Up to three nights’ overnight “on call” will be required per week.
• To be in residence for 48 hours prior to and after the end of each term to assist with the preparation and closing of the House.
• To participate in school inset day meetings.
• To contribute to the School’s extra-curricular provision.
• To assist occasionally at whole school events.
• To assist with emergency situations outside of duty hours if necessary.