At a Glance
- Tasks: Create a warm, safe environment for pupils and oversee daily routines.
- Company: Join the caring community at St Catherine's School.
- Benefits: Live-in role with opportunities for personal growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while fostering a positive house culture.
- Qualifications: Kindness, effective communication, and strong organisational skills are essential.
- Other info: Engage in fun activities and build lasting relationships with pupils.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
An opportunity has arisen for a Boarding Houseparent (Teaching or Non‑Teaching) to join St Catherine's School from 20th April. St Catherine's School is seeking a highly organised, caring, and proactive Houseparent to join our boarding community for the summer term from 20th April. This live‑in role plays a central part in creating a warm, safe, and structured environment where every pupil feels known, valued, and supported. As a key pastoral figure, you will build strong relationships with pupils, oversee daily routines, promote wellbeing, and contribute to a positive, inclusive house culture. This position is open to teaching and non‑teaching applicants. Teaching staff will hold a reduced timetable; non‑teaching staff will focus primarily on pastoral and residential responsibilities.
Pastoral Care & Wellbeing
- Build trusting, supportive relationships with pupils.
- Promote emotional, social, and physical wellbeing, escalating concerns appropriately.
- Encourage healthy routines, positive behaviour, and structured daily habits.
- Provide daily check‑ins, wake‑up routines, end‑of‑day contact, and supervision during unstructured times.
Safeguarding
- Uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and child protection.
- Follow statutory guidance, including KCSIE, and all school safeguarding policies.
- Maintain accurate records of wellbeing, behaviour, and safeguarding matters.
Medical, Emotional & Practical Support
- Respond appropriately to minor illnesses, injuries, or emotional needs.
- Liaise with the Health Centre as required.
- Support pupils in developing independence, resilience, and self‑care skills.
Boarding House Operations
- Oversee daily routines: wake‑up, roll calls, prep, meals, bedtimes, and supervision rotas.
- Help maintain a calm, tidy, and welcoming house environment.
- Support evening and weekend activities, trips, and enrichment.
- Work collaboratively with domestic, catering, medical, maintenance, and administrative teams.
- Participate in evening, weekend, and on‑call duties.
- Operate in line with the National Minimum Standards for Boarding.
Parent & Guardian Communication
- Build warm, professional relationships with parents and guardians.
- Communicate progress, concerns, and achievements in a timely, supportive manner.
Academic Support
- Supervise prep and encourage positive study habits.
- Teaching Houseparent: Teach a reduced timetable and contribute to departmental responsibilities.
- Non‑Teaching Houseparent: Provide general academic guidance and organisational support.
Community
- Promote an inclusive, respectful house culture grounded in kindness and community.
- Support house events, celebrations, and activities that foster belonging.
- Model professionalism, integrity, and positive behaviour.
Important Qualities and Skills
- Kindness and compassion
- Effective communication skills
- Strong organisation and attention to detail
- Professional judgement and sound decision‑making
- Collaborative, inclusive approach
- 'Can‑do' attitude with initiative
- Digital fluency
- Resilience and adaptability under pressure
Boarding Houseparent (Teaching or Non-Teaching) employer: St Catherine's School
Contact Detail:
St Catherine's School Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Boarding Houseparent (Teaching or Non-Teaching)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who know about boarding roles. A friendly chat can lead to insider info or even a recommendation that gets you noticed.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to pastoral care and wellbeing. Think about how you’d build relationships with pupils and handle safeguarding issues. We want you to shine when it’s your turn to impress!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for creating a supportive environment! During interviews, share specific examples of how you've fostered community and inclusivity in previous roles. This will demonstrate your commitment to the values St Catherine's School holds dear.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Boarding Houseparent (Teaching or Non-Teaching)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Caring Side: In your application, let us see your compassionate nature shine through. Share examples of how you've built strong relationships with others, especially in a supportive role. We want to know how you can create that warm and safe environment for our pupils!
Be Organised and Detailed: We love a well-structured application! Make sure to highlight your organisational skills and attention to detail. Mention any experience you have in overseeing routines or managing responsibilities, as this is key to the Houseparent role.
Communicate Clearly: Effective communication is crucial for this position. Use clear and concise language in your application, and don’t forget to showcase your ability to connect with both pupils and parents. We want to see how you can foster those professional relationships!
Apply Through Our Website: Ready to take the plunge? Make sure to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and get to know you better. We can’t wait to see what you bring to our boarding community!
How to prepare for a job interview at St Catherine's School
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Boarding Houseparent. Familiarise yourself with the key aspects of pastoral care, wellbeing promotion, and daily routines. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in creating a supportive environment for pupils.
✨Showcase Your People Skills
As a Houseparent, building strong relationships is crucial. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully connected with young people or managed challenging situations. Highlight your kindness, compassion, and effective communication skills to show that you can create a warm and inclusive atmosphere.
✨Demonstrate Your Organisational Skills
This role requires excellent organisation and attention to detail. Be ready to discuss how you've managed multiple tasks or responsibilities in previous roles. You might want to share specific strategies you use to keep things running smoothly, whether it's overseeing daily routines or coordinating activities.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect to face scenario-based questions during your interview. Think about how you would handle various situations related to safeguarding, emotional support, or conflict resolution. Practising your responses will help you feel more confident and articulate your thought process clearly.