Boarding HouseParent (BHP) (Weekends)

Job Title: Boarding HouseParent (BHP) (Weekends)
Responsible to: The Headmaster and Bursar through the Head of Boarding.
Salary: A competitive salary is offered.
Accommodation: Free accommodation is available throughout the year.

The Royal School, Armagh was established by Royal Decree in 1608 and is an academically selective voluntary grammar school for boys and girls aged 4 – 19 years. There are at present 807 pupils of whom 69 are boarders. Boarding forms an essential and integral part of our school life and identity and up to 100 full and weekly boarders live in the family atmosphere provided in three Boarding Houses – two in Junior and one in Senior where our boarding staff work hard to create a home-from-home environment, with communal living areas, recreation rooms and kitchen area.

The School occupies an imposing 30-acre site on the outskirts of the charming Georgian city of Armagh, combining beautiful Grade 1 listed buildings with more modern, purpose-built facilities. The School is well known for its high academic standards and its significant extra-curricular programme. At the Royal School we are committed to providing quality learning and teaching, caring for our pupils on an individual basis and developing sound character through providing each pupil with challenging and enriching opportunities. The School offers an outstanding international pre-university educational experience to pupils aged 16+ from all over the world. Sixth Form pupils live in a converted Georgian House on the Mall adjacent to the School campus. All Sixth Form pupils study GCE A levels or BTEC in preparation for admission to university, further education college or employment and the BHP is therefore expected to ensure that the pupils organise their study and free time efficiently at weekends. The BHP will be part of a boarding team that supports the academic and pastoral progress of the boarding pupils whilst they are away from home.

The Role
The Royal School is currently accepting applications for the position of Boarding House Parent (BHP) for weekends. This could be potentially combined with a teaching or non-teaching role during the week, if desired. This is a permanent, full time role. The primary aspect of the role is ‘Houseparent’, however, it could be coupled with an element of teaching or pupil supervision, dependent upon the successful applicant’s experience and qualifications.

The BHP is responsible for attending to operation of the Sixth Form Boarding House at weekends. The BHP’s role is to provide a safe, caring boarding environment that enriches the lives of the boarding pupils.

The post is a residential role. The accommodation consists of a private one-bed flat overlooking the Georgian Mall. No charge is made for the accommodation or meals during the school term. Weekend hours when on duty are from 3:15pm Friday to 9.00am Monday. There is one weekend off each month. During the weekend of supervision, the boarding house parent is required to be onsite when any pupil is present in the Boarding House. This would require covering the House throughout the weekend. When on duty the BHP will live in the accommodation provided for the better performance of their duties and may also choose to do so when not on duty. The BHP is a key member of the boarding team, primarily supporting the delivery of pastoral care to the School’s Sixth Form boarders. The role requires an approachable, positive and warm person who is available to all boarders without discrimination or favouritism and who can work well with a range of colleagues. Working as part of a team of residential staff, the post holder will be responsible for managing the Sixth Form Boarding House from Friday to Monday.

The BHP will prioritise the safeguarding, welfare and health and safety of pupils above all other duties and be familiar with statutory safeguarding and the School’s Child Protection Policy.

OVERVIEW OF THE JOB
The BHP will primarily assist the Head of Boarding in the running of the Sixth Form Boarding House at weekends to secure a high quality of pastoral care, effective use of resources and improved standards of learning and achievement for all pupils. The House Parent is assisted in their role by the Head of Boarding, Housemaster, Housemistress, Wardens and Matrons. The Houseparent should get to know the boarding pupils to build up a relationship of trust with them and will be expected to give support and advice on their academic studies. The Houseparent is expected to have, energy, good resilience, enthusiasm, flexibility and an understanding of boarding school life. The Houseparent will be encouraged to enter fully into the life of the school and to develop and share their talents and interests.

JOB PURPOSE:
The BHP is expected to share in all aspects of boarding life to secure high standards of pastoral care in all areas and ensure that practices improve the quality of care provided, meet the needs and aspirations of all pupils, and raise standards of achievement. They will be required to live in school accommodation during term-time. Whilst on duty the BHP assists with the control and routine organisations of the Boarding House at weekends in unison with other duty staff.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE JOB

• As a member of the Boarding team, carry out the role to support the needs of the pupils you work with and the School in general.
• Be a visible presence in the boarding house by engaging with the pupils and getting to know the pupils on a personal level;
• Ensure that pupils are awake in the morning in time for breakfast and ensure they leave the boarding house in good time for morning registration on Mondays;
• Monitor the pupils’ welfare and behaviour and report any problems in the Boarding House to the Head of Boarding;
• Report any pupil illness promptly to the Concourse Office on Monday mornings;
• Ensure the smooth running of the Boarding House generally in accordance with the pupil boarding handbook to maintain a friendly, welcoming and happy environment;
• To help with maintaining general cleanliness and tidiness in the Boarding House;
• Reporting any maintenance issues through the school reporting system;
• Issue biometric cards/passes to boarders as required;
• Ensure a visible presence in and around the premises at all times when on duty;
• Ensure bedtimes are adhered to and reporting issues of lateness etc;
• Help with pupil arrivals and departures and pupil induction as required;
• Support the boarders in their co-curricular activities;
• Liaise with other boarding and teaching staff, the medical staff and parents in relation to the pastoral wellbeing of pupils;
• Keep accurate records pastoral incidents relating to pupils in the Boarding House at weekends;
• Create and maintain effective lines of communication with parents as and when necessary;
• Be responsible for monitoring the location of boarders: roll calls, a signing in and out system (ORAH), monitoring the pupil’s activities and whereabouts;
• Support high standards of behaviour from pupils and follow through with appropriate sanctions when necessary;
• Work in partnership with the Headmaster, Bursar, SENCO and Head of Boarding regarding planning and decisions regarding the Boarding House.
• Provide the Head of Boarding and pastoral staff with regular updates on pupil behaviour;
• Consult with the Buildings Supervisors regarding any maintenance problems in the Boarding House;
• Eat evening meals in the Dining Hall with the pupils;
• Provide general assistance and support to the Boarding House staff as required;
• Follow up on pupil illness with the Matron and advise parents when necessary;
• Provide pupils with a structured, supportive environment;
• Encourage a community spirit co-existence of all races and cultures through understanding and living together;
• Attend termly induction and regular boarding staff meetings;
• Liaise with Headmaster and Bursar as requested;
• Any other duty that may be assigned by the Headmaster, Bursar or Head of Boarding.
• As part of your wider role within the School, you will also:
• Be courteous to colleagues and parents and to provide a welcoming environment for all visitors to the School;
• Follow the guidelines of the Staff Handbook;
• Support and promote the School ethos aims and mission;
• Continue personal development as agreed;
• Engage actively in the performance review process as appropriate;
• Comply with any reasonable request from the Headmaster or the Bursar to undertake work not specified in this job description;
• You will maintain standards of ethics and behaviour in and out of School.
  In particular, you will:
• Treat pupils with dignity, building relationships rooted in mutual respect;
• Have regard for the need to safeguard pupils’ well-being;
• Show tolerance of and respect for the rights of others;
• Maintain high standards of attendance and punctuality;
• Help to create and maintain a safe working environment for everyone;
• Understand and act within the relevant School, national and statutory frameworks;
• Develop and maintain a full understanding of current child protection procedures;
• Monitor stress levels, sleep habits, homesickness and other pupil concerns, spending informal time with the pupils;
• Maintain up to date Child Protection training and first aid qualification;
• Engage in annual boarding inspection and understand strengths and areas for improvement in the Boarding House.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• The job requires that you have:
• Ability to work with, care for and supervise young people;
• High levels of energy, an even temper and a sense of humour;
• Confidence in spoken and written English;
• Confidence to tackle pupils who are not adhering to the School rules or the rules of Boarding;
• Ability to relate to young people;
• Ability and willingness to work in a multi-cultural environment;
• Willingness to work unsociable hours;
• Familiarity with Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook;
• Ability to work as a team member and lead by example;
• Ability to be proactive, flexible and reliable;
• High levels of self-motivation;
• Excellent interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work under pressure;
• Ability to plan and manage time and priorities;
• Reliability, honesty and trustworthiness.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• A good standard of education to at least GCSE level (or equivalent)
• Previous work experience in a similar role
• Full driving licence
• Excellent English language skills

The Royal School Armagh

• Full understanding of safeguarding requirements and how to promote the welfare of children

Able to obtain satisfactory:

• Enhanced DBS through Access NI, (the body which administers police checking in Northern Ireland).
• validated references
• fitness for work
• overseas police checks (where applicable)

Evidence of:

• Eligibility to work in the UK