Email for Application Form: ruby.bowyer@claremontschool.co.uk (P.A. to the Director of Boarding)
About Claremont School
Claremont School is an independent day and boarding school. The Nursery and the Prep School are based in St Leonards on Sea, and the Senior School is located in Bodiam, East Sussex. One third of the students in the Senior School are international boarders. Our two off-site boarding facilities are respectively located in Battle and St Leonards. They accommodate students from over twenty different nationalities.
Results and Value-Added at Claremont are outstanding, with Senior School results beating national averages year on year, as well as more local independent selective schools. We believe that successful schools are the ones that put learning at the heart of everything they do, always aiming to create rounded individuals that can forge successful careers and lives, in a rapidly changing world.
Claremont School is also part of the International Schools Partnership (ISP) group, comprising committed colleagues in financially responsible schools around the world, where learning is at the heart of everything we do for our students, colleagues, and parents. We are committed to getting better, all the time. Be aware that we may interview candidates prior to the closing date.
Claremont Boarding
The ethos of boarding at Claremont is to provide a home-from-home feel and that of a large extended family. With that in mind, our boarding houses are situated off-site to allow boarders to enjoy the benefit of returning to a home environment after their school day. Every boarder is encouraged to develop their full potential in all areas of life, with the support of a dedicated team of boarding House Parents under the management of two House Leads in each accommodation.
The post holder will take care of the students at Clyde House in St Leonards-on-Sea where our male boarders live. This post would suit a residential or non residential House Parent.
Role context
The House Parents care for boarders in their day-to-day life, in the way parents would, ensuring boarders are happy, safe, smartly dressed and ready for learning.
They will demonstrate flexibility, compassion, resilience, dynamism and a good sense of humour.
This role is crucial to maintaining our current “outstanding” Ofsted ranking and promoting Claremont Boarding as the destination of choice in the local area.
The Boarding House Parent will report directly to the Boarding House Leads who manage the team of Boarding House Parents in each of our settings.
House Parents work 40 hours a week and 43 weeks a year. The work is based around early morning and evening shifts, when the boarders are at home before and after school, and every other weekend.
This job can be a residential position with single en-suite accommodation provided on the boarding house promises. All bills (water, electricity, heating, standard internet) are included.
Key Responsibilities
- Regulatory compliance
- Be aware of the implications of the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools and be guided by the House Lead as to the implementation of the principles highlighted in the Claremont Boarding Management handbook in the day-to-day life of boarders.
- Be aware of the Fire Safety and Health & Safety procedures in the House. Assist the House Lead in ensuring that the boarding house is a safe environment for both students and staff.
- Follow the School and Boarding safeguarding procedures. This includes matters such as the appropriate use of MyConcern.
- Follow the staff rota as devised by the House Lead to ensure compliant allocation of staff.
- Attend weekly staff meetings in the House.
- Attend any required staff training and termly boarding insets.
- Operational role in the boarding house
- Guide boarders through their daily routine.
- Assist the House Lead with the induction of new boarders and the return of boarders after term breaks.
- Facilitate the boarders’ social life within the House and encourage all to take part in the communal activities around the House, both in evenings and at weekends. Contribute meaningfully to the life of the House.
- Contribute to the weekly programme of trips.
- Assist students with their homework and the organisation of their school work.
- Check that the boarders’ accommodation is safe and that their living conditions are healthy and conducive to good mental health.
- Assist students with adjusting to a more independent lifestyle, away from home.
- Read the Boarding Daily Log to be aware of any issues in the House before coming on shift and add entries whilst working so that all staff are informed of the events in the House.
- Take accurate registers when supervising students.
- Assist the catering team to ensure all boarders follow a healthy diet and display good manners at the dinner table.
- Assist the laundry team with the delivery and return of clothes/ linen to their owners.
- Refer behavioural issues to the House Lead to promote an orderly and kind atmosphere in the House.
- Assist with the monitoring of the safe use of ICT by boarders, as guided by the House Lead.
- Act as a role model to the students under your care.
- Be responsible for reporting any issues directly to the House Lead.
- Resident House Parents will be expected to hold the emergency phone and issue medication to boarders on a rota basis.
- Be involved in term holidays when the boarding house remains open.
Other Responsibilities
- Resident boarding staff share responsibility for the overnight emergency phone.
- Undertake such other reasonable responsibilities and tasks that may be assigned by the Principal and Director of Boarding.
Candidate Profile
- Person specification
- Cultural sensitivity and awareness
- Mature interpersonal skills
- Flexibility and patience
- Creativity and enthusiasm
- Good organisation skills
- Some proficiency in IT
- Competencies
- Ability to multitask
- Ability to work in a team
- Qualifications
- Professional qualifications or relevant work-related experience
- Experience
- Some experience working in Boarding is preferred but not essential. Induction provided.
Safeguarding & Safer Recruitment
Claremont School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All post holders are subject to appropriate vetting procedures and satisfactory Criminal Background Checks or equivalent covering the previous 10 years employment history.
