Job Title: Assistant Houseparent and/or Pastoral Liaison (maternity cover)
Contract: Part time, term time only – fixed term maternity cover (12 months)
Salary: £9,204.24pa (for AHP role, 2 nights) and/or £2,060pa (for Liaison role, 1 evening)
Job Start Date: 19 April 2026
Closing date: 30 November 2025 (shortlisting will be carried out regularly and we may appoint before the closing date, so we encourage early applications).
Interview date: TBC
Tring Park is one of the country’s leading vocational and academic schools, situated in glorious Hertfordshire countryside, under an hour from London. The School has 350 boarding and day pupils, aged 7 to 19.
Tring Park offers a wide range of benefits including a pension scheme, cycle to work scheme, free school lunches during term time, an employee assistance programme, free onsite parking and enhanced maternity and paternity schemes.
We are looking to appoint an Assistant Houseparent and/or Pastoral Liaison to work as part of our supportive and friendly boarding team. The successful candidate will have experience of working with children and an understanding of the needs of children in a boarding environment.
The hours are all (or a combination of) the following:
Sunday 19.00- 07.45 (overnight) – AHP
Monday 19.00- 07.45 (overnight) – AHP
Tuesday 19.00 – 23.00 (evening only) – Liaison
This role is a maternity cover from April 2026 for approximately 12 months or until the return of the post holder, whichever is the earlier.
Main duties for Assistant Houseparent
Boarding House: Liaise with and provide support to the HP by sharing responsibility for the efficient running of the house in the evenings in consultation with the Houseparent/Deputy Principal.
Medical: Liaise with the school’s medical staff to ensure the correct care and welfare of the pupils. Basic first aid training is provided unless a qualification is already held.
Pastoral Care: The care of the individual pupil: sympathetic, caring, responsible and patient understanding of the age group.
House staff: The AHP is an integral member of a team of house staff, supporting the HP in creating a cohesive and harmonious team, and assisting with a range of house duties in consultation with the HP.
Duties and Presence:
• Help to maintain a welcoming, tidy and homely atmosphere in the evenings.
• Monitor behaviour and deal appropriately with any disciplinary issues.
• Uphold standards of dress, general appearance and personal hygiene.
• Ensure that there is an appropriate working atmosphere during prep and assist where possible.
• Maintain an orderly bedtime routine.
• Ensure the pupils are up in time for breakfast, registered and ready for the school day.
• Help to deal with emergencies of any kind, including escorting pupils to medical appointments where required.
• Help to maintain pastoral records of pupils and other relevant administrative house tasks.
• Be ‘ever present’ and a visible presence when on duty by regularly moving about all areas of the house.
• Be available to the pupils in the house for both formal and informal contact during the evenings, maintaining appropriate boundaries at all times.
• Sleep in the house on all duty nights. The AHP is on duty for four weeknights per week.
• Cover additional duties as required such as the supervision of meals, prep, extra—curricular activities and special occasions, maintaining punctuality. (not applicable where full time teaching duties prohibit this).
Parents: Liaise and foster good relationships with parents, in consultation with the HP or Deputy Principal.
Health and Safety: Share responsibility for all aspects of safety as directly related to the boarding house.
Extraneous Duties: The undertaking of any reasonable additional duties at the
request of the Deputy Principal or Principal.
Other Requirements: Full, clean driving licence.
Main Duties for Pastoral Liaison:
Boarding House:
Liaise with and provide support to the Houseparent(s) for the efficient running of the house in the evenings.
Medical:
Liaise with the school’s medical staff to ensure the correct care and welfare of the pupils. Basic first aid training is provided unless a qualification is already held.
Pastoral Care:
The care of the individual pupil: sympathetic, caring, responsible and patient understanding of the age group.
House staff:
The LI is an integral member of a team of house staff, supporting the HP in creating a cohesive and harmonious team, and assisting with a range of house duties in consultation with the HP.
Duties and Presence:
• Help to maintain a welcoming, tidy and homely atmosphere in the evenings.
• Monitor behaviour and deal appropriately with any disciplinary issues.
• Uphold standards of dress, general appearance and personal hygiene.
• Ensure that there is an appropriate working atmosphere during prep and assist with prep where possible.
• Maintain an orderly bedtime routine.
• Help to deal with emergencies of any kind, including escorting pupils to hospital where required.
• Help to maintain pastoral records of pupils and other relevant administrative house tasks.
• Be a visible presence in the house and available to the pupils for both formal and informal contact during the evenings, maintaining appropriate boundaries at all times.
• Cover additional duties as required such as prep, extra—curricular activities and special occasions, maintaining punctuality.
Parents:
Liaise and foster good relationships with parents, in consultation with the HP or Deputy Principal.
Health and Safety:
Share responsibility for all aspects of safety as directly related to the boarding house.
Extraneous Duties:
The undertaking of any reasonable additional duties at the request of the Deputy Principal or Principal.
Person Specification
ESSENTIAL
Experience of working with children and an understanding of the needs of children in a boarding environment.
Clear commitment to implementing whole school/staff policies relating to the safeguarding of children.
A sound understanding of child protection and the National Minimum Standards for Boarding.
Proven strong communication skills with both adults and young people.
A high degree of confidentiality and punctuality.
Genuine enthusiasm and the ability to work well within a wider team, maintaining effective working relationships.
Good organisational and problem solving skills.
An ability to remain calm under pressure.
High levels of motivation, patience, diplomacy and creativity.
A sense of humour.
DESIRABLE
Previous experience in other boarding or residential environments working with young people.
First Aid qualification.
A BSA qualification or an interest in obtaining one.
Full clean driver’s licence and the ability to drive a minibus or the willingness to learn.
Additional Information
Tring Park School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expect all staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to an enhanced DBS check. It is an offence to apply for a role if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity with children. Shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a self-declaration form relating to any criminal record or information that would make them unsuitable to work with children.
Tring Park School aims to create an inclusive culture that encourages and values diversity within its workforce, building on the differences individuals bring, enabling the School’s ongoing success. We seek to embrace diversity drawing on a wide range of views and experiences to provide equality, fairness and respect for all in our employment whilst observing our commitment and responsibility to current legislation.
Please note: for information on how we will use your personal information during the recruitment process, please see the Staff Privacy Notice on the School website.
