Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop a vibrant boarding environment for international students in central London.
- Company: Guildhouse School, a unique boarding school fostering creativity and personal growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive community, and the chance to shape student experiences.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives while enjoying a dynamic urban setting.
- Qualifications: Experience in boarding or pastoral leadership with a warm, approachable style.
- Other info: Join a forward-thinking team dedicated to diversity and student empowerment.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 65000 £ per year.
Closing Date: 20 February 2026
Salary: £60-65k Dependent on experience
Employment Term: Full Time
ABOUT GUILDHOUSE SCHOOL
Guildhouse School, located in the heart of Bloomsbury in central London, is a boarding school for ages 15+ that provides an immersive international environment for ideas and creativity, where students are empowered to make a positive impact on our world. The school offers an outstanding international pre-university educational experience, with small class sizes, to students from all over the world. Housed in three beautiful grade two listed buildings, the school is the first high school in Europe to have a Bloomberg Business Lab. Students at Guildhouse School are studying for A levels and University Foundation Programmes and preparing for admission to universities across the UK and abroad. We pride ourselves on our approach to high quality and personalised teaching and learning experiences, with small class sizes and an informal atmosphere ensuring that students are treated as individuals and build great relationships with staff. Our ethos and culture for students is ‘Work Hard, Aim High & Be Kind’.
ROLE OVERVIEW
Guildhouse School is seeking an experienced and ambitious Head of Boarding (Residential) to lead and develop its boarding provision in the heart of central London. This is a senior leadership role with responsibility for Premier House, the School’s modern boarding residence in Bloomsbury, accommodating around 100 students in self-contained clusters of en-suite rooms with shared kitchen facilities. Located just five to ten minutes’ walk from the school site, Premier House offers a distinctive urban boarding model that requires clarity of systems, strong pastoral leadership, and a highly visible residential presence.
Guildhouse is not a traditional boarding school, and that is very much part of its strength. Our international student body brings energy, diversity, and ambition, and boarding plays a central role in providing stability, care, and belonging for students living far from home. We are fully compliant with regulatory requirements, but we are equally ambitious to ensure that boarding is warm, purposeful, and genuinely enriching.
The successful candidate will live on site and will provide strategic and operational leadership of boarding. Working closely with the Headteacher as a valued member of the Senior Leadership Team, they will ensure the highest standards of safeguarding, compliance, and student welfare, while also shaping a boarding culture that balances structure with warmth and high expectations. The role will suit an experienced boarding or senior pastoral leader who combines regulatory rigour with human warmth, and who is confident operating in a fast-paced, urban environment. The post holder will lead and manage the boarding staff team, maintain strong relationships with parents and agents, and ensure Premier House operates as a safe, well‑run home for students.
During summer periods, Premier House is used by Stafford House London. Programme leadership and safeguarding sit with Stafford House during these periods, while Guildhouse retains responsibility for the day‑to‑day operational management of the building. This is an exciting opportunity for a leader who wants to shape and lead a distinctive boarding provision in a school that is outward‑looking, student‑centred and ambitious.
ABOUT CATS GLOBAL SCHOOLS (CGS)
CATS Global Schools is a leading education group committed to inspiring the next generation of world shapers. With a history dating back to 1899, but a focus on the future, our group brings together 16 institutions comprising independent boarding schools, an Arts University College, English language schools and a variety of summer programmes in the UK, US, Canada, and China. Each year, we provide 18,000 students around the globe with the education they need to develop real‑life skills for the future. We are dedicated to academic excellence and our students benefit from our well‑developed links to over 40 top global universities. We create a positive learning environment where every student is empowered to make a contribution to shape their world. This is made possible because of the commitment of our pioneering, persevering people who do the very best for our students.
OUR COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY
We are committed to diversity, inclusion and belonging. Building on our core values – Pioneering, Persevering, People – We pledge to deliver a series of events, guest speakers and focus groups to make CATS Global Schools an employer of choice for all.
SAFEGUARDING
CGS is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and well‑being of children and young people. As such, appointment is subject to the satisfactory completion of safer recruitment employment checks in line with KCSIE guidelines. This will include satisfactory references, enhanced DBS from the Disclosures and Barring Service and, where applicable, any international equivalent being obtained. Shortlisted candidates will be subject to online checks which may include social media.
Head of Boarding in London employer: The Boarding Schools' Association
Contact Detail:
The Boarding Schools' Association Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Boarding in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the education sector, especially those who have experience in boarding schools. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Guildhouse School and its unique boarding model. Show us that you understand our ethos of 'Work Hard, Aim High & Be Kind' and how you can contribute to that culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to discuss your leadership style and how you plan to create a warm and purposeful boarding environment. We want to hear your vision for Premier House!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team at Guildhouse School.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Boarding in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your unique experiences and perspectives.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application for the Head of Boarding role. Highlight your relevant experience in boarding and pastoral leadership, and show us how you align with our ethos of 'Work Hard, Aim High & Be Kind'.
Showcase Your Vision: We’re looking for someone who can lead and develop our boarding provision. Share your ideas on how you would create a warm and purposeful environment for our students, and how you plan to balance structure with care.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity at Guildhouse School.
How to prepare for a job interview at The Boarding Schools' Association
✨Know Your Boarding Philosophy
Before the interview, take some time to reflect on your own philosophy regarding boarding and pastoral care. Be ready to discuss how you would create a warm and purposeful environment at Premier House, aligning with Guildhouse School's ethos of 'Work Hard, Aim High & Be Kind'.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past roles that demonstrate your leadership skills in a boarding or pastoral setting. Highlight how you've successfully managed teams, maintained high standards of safeguarding, and fostered strong relationships with students and parents.
✨Understand the Urban Boarding Model
Familiarise yourself with the unique challenges and opportunities of urban boarding. Be prepared to discuss how you would adapt traditional boarding practices to fit the dynamic environment of Bloomsbury, ensuring that students feel safe and supported while living away from home.
✨Engage with the School's Vision
Research Guildhouse School and its commitment to providing an outstanding international educational experience. During the interview, express your enthusiasm for their mission and how you can contribute to shaping a distinctive boarding provision that meets the needs of a diverse student body.
