Whitgift Summer School, House Parent

Overview

Whitgift is a leading independent day and boarding school for boys, with approximately 1500 pupils including over 100 boarding pupils and flexi boarding pupils. It is set in an attractive 48-acre parkland site in South Croydon enjoying excellent links to London, Surrey and the south coast.

During the summer holidays, Whitgift runs its own summer school for international students, utilising all its facilities and modern boarding house. Whitgift Summer School, with its innovative and exciting English language and academic courses, along with activities which involve English speaking students, is designed to appeal to girls and boys aged 11-17 from all over the world.

Role

This is a residential role to support a first-class pastoral and welfare service for international students at the 2026 Whitgift Summer School. The school runs a busy programme and expects House Parents to contribute to the full life of the summer school while ensuring students\\\’ safety and well-being at all times.

Responsibilities

• Female House Parent will be responsible for the pastoral care and well-being of the international students at the 2026 Whitgift Summer School. House Parents manage the day-to-day boarding house operation and help generate a welcoming, supportive and fun atmosphere, ensuring the students\\\’ safety and well-being at all times.
• Contribute to the full life of the busy summer school.
• Build a caring, friendly and positive rapport with students, and deal with discipline issues when required. Demonstrate excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work calmly, effectively and positively, even under pressure.
• Be passionate about child welfare and be educated to degree level. Previous experience of working with children in a professional setting is essential, preferably in a summer school, residential or boarding house context. Vocational training in childcare, education or counselling is welcomed. Proficiency in spoken and written English is essential. Ability to work as part of a team is necessary.
• This is a residential role to offer a first-class pastoral and welfare service. Even when off duty, be willing to assist in case of emergencies, especially at night.
• Present evidence of right to work in the UK for the duration of the contract.
• Welcoming applications from all sectors to reflect the diversity of our student intake.
• Visit www.whitgift.co.uk/vacancies for further information and an online application form. From the School\\\’s vacancy page, select the \\\’Documents\\\’ button and click the green \\\’Apply\\\’ button for the online application form.
• For queries, telephone the Summer School on 020 8633 9924 or email summerschool@whitgift.co.uk.
• The Summer School will run for six weeks, though we are looking for applicants to work for three weeks. Applicants must have full availability throughout this period.
• Closing Date: 13 April 2026
• Whitgift School (part of the John Whitgift Foundation) is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening including checks with past employers, the Disclosure & Barring Service and online media checks (including personal, professional and other online activities).
• All roles within the school involve contact with children and are therefore classed as regulated activity. Child protection and safeguarding are the responsibility of everyone who works or volunteers in our school. All staff must be committed to providing a safe environment for children and supporting the school\\\’s safeguarding ethos.
• The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants are required to declare all convictions and cautions, even those that are “spent” unless they are “protected” under the DBS filtering rules, to assess suitability to work with children. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to disclose information relevant to safeguarding prior to the interview.