Job overview
Job Title: Lead College Nurse
Institution: David Game College
Department: Medical, Wellbeing, and Pastoral Care
First line report: College Nurse
Reports to: Head of Boarding
Additional Dotted Reporting Line: Co-Principal and Safeguarding Committee
Location: London, United Kingdom
Start Date: September 2025
Work Location: On-site, within the boarding house and College campus
Application Deadline: 15th July 2025
About David Game College
David Game College is a prestigious independent sixth form and private school located in the heart of London. We are dedicated to academic excellence and holistic student development, and we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative, innovative, and supportive environment for both students and staff.
Purpose of Job
The Lead College Nurse provides strategic leadership, clinical expertise, and teams oversight in ensuring high-quality healthcare is delivered to students, staff, and boarders throughout term time. This role goes beyond direct care by developing and maintaining robust medical protocols, managing the College’s medical units, and fostering a culture of proactive health and safety awareness across the institution.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Clinical Nursing & Leadership
- Direct Clinical Care & Team Oversight:
- Provide expert clinical assistance for minor ailments and injuries while supervising the nursing team.
- Oversee the safe administration, storage, and accurate record-keeping of both prescribed and non-prescribed medications.
- Ensure that comprehensive, up-to-date medical records are maintained for all students.
- Lead the assessment of each student’s medical needs, including determining Gillick Competency where applicable.
- Collaborative Health Management:
- Serve as the primary liaison with parents, College management, local healthcare facilities, and external providers to secure expert care when necessary.
- Act as the first point of escalation for ‘high risk’ medical issues and psychosocial concerns, ensuring rapid, coordinated responses.
- Work with key stakeholders (Teachers, Co-Principal, Head of Boarding, and College Counsellor) to ensure a multidisciplinary approach is applied to student health concerns.
- Team Development & Training:
- Develop, implement, and continually refine clinical protocols and best practice guidelines.
- Design and deliver training programs for house parents and junior nursing staff (including competency assessments for medication management and emergency procedures), ensuring all staff are fully equipped and confident in their roles.
- Direct and supervise rota planning—including on-call cover—and provide mentorship and performance feedback to the nursing team.
- Facility & Resource Management:
- Ensure that both the College and Boarding House medical units are fully stocked and maintained in accordance with College policies and health safety standards.
- Monitor, assess, and advise on significant health issues within the College and the wider community, initiating timely communications with UK Health Security Agency during outbreaks or emergencies.
- Maintain routine checks of allergy response boxes and other critical medical supplies, documenting and managing restocking as required.
- Health and Safety
- Advise senior management on relevant health and safety issues, ensuring compliance with College, local authority, and government guidelines.
- Plan, coordinate, and lead anaphylaxis, asthma, and defibrillator training sessions for staff (and when appropriate, for students).
- Oversee the implementation of emergency protocols and direct the nursing team during critical incidents.
- Student Support & Health Promotion
- Collaborate closely with the Head of Boarding, Safeguarding Team, and other key staff to develop and implement whole College health initiatives.
- Drive health education programs promoting hygiene, smoking/alcohol cessation, anxiety management, and overall well-being.
- Ensure that every student is registered with a UK Doctor and support them in making appropriate medical, dental, and specialist appointments.
- Coordinate vaccination programmes and act as a key informational resource for students and families regarding immunisation matters.
- Communication, Record Keeping & Policy Development
- Information Sharing & Handover:
- Lead effective handovers within the boarding teams to ensure consistency in care and communication.
- Maintain detailed records of all interactions with parents, staff, and students, ensuring actions and outcomes are meticulously documented.
- Interdepartmental Coordination:
- Act as the central point of contact for all health-related issues, coordinating with local public health teams, GP practices, and pharmacies to keep protocols and procedures current.
- Prepare comprehensive reports, accident documentation, and health updates for senior management and the Co-Principal.
- Policy & Procedure Leadership:
- Advise on and help develop College health policies, ensuring that all protocols reflect best practices and regulatory standards.
- Support College-wide dissemination of health and safety information and programmes via staff briefings and coordinated communications.
- Pastoral Support
- Provide a compassionate and skilled presence as a first port-of-call on the pastoral team.
- Actively contribute to the health education and overall welfare of students by participating in PSHE sessions or dedicated form time discussions on physical and emotional well-being.
- Recognise and escalate concerns promptly, ensuring that students receive the most appropriate support when needed.
Skills and Training
- Professional Expertise:
- Hold current nursing validation plus the relevant qualifications and training, including First Aid, CPR, and AED certifications.
- Demonstrate a high level of competence in clinical wound care, medication management, and emergency response.
- Leadership & Communication:
- Proven ability to lead and manage a clinical team effectively, balancing clear, assertive decision-making with empathetic mentorship.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, capable of interacting confidently and professionally with individuals at all levels—from students to senior management and external healthcare partners.
- Technical & Organisational Acumen:
- Proficiency with Microsoft Suite software and experience in utilizing College databases for accurate record keeping.
- Ability to prioritise effectively, manage situations under pressure, and work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Commitment to ongoing professional development, including Level 3 Safeguarding training and any other College-specific training requirements.
Requirements
- A minimum of 2 years post-registration experience, with demonstrable success in a clinical or educational environment.
- Experience in a leadership or supervisory capacity is highly desirable.
- Excellent command of spoken and written English, with a proven record of clear, culturally appropriate communication.
- Demonstrable skill in remaining calm under pressure, taking decisive action during emergencies, and managing an evolving array of responsibilities with flexibility, enthusiasm, and commitment.
- A caring, approachable presence that embodies a reassuring ‘bedside manner’ while balancing clinical rigour with compassionate support.
Given the evolving nature of educational environments and healthcare procedures, the Lead College Nurse often plays a key role in shaping future policies and integrating emerging best practices. They may also be expected to contribute to broader strategic planning and quality improvement initiatives, ensuring that their work continues to have a significant, forward-thinking impact on student welfare and health education.
Employment Details
Salary (to be pro rata if part-time): £40,000.00 – £50,000.00 based on qualifications and experience.
Superannuation Scheme: Royal London Workplace Pension Scheme
Number of hours to be worked per week: 40 hours per week. (two rotation 7:30-16:30 or 09:00-18:00), on-call rotations.
Contract type: Full time, term-time only,
Probation: 3 – 6 Months
Annual Leave Entitlement: Term Time Only, Holiday Pay
Benefits:
- Complimentary meals during term time
- Free access to the College gym
Equal Opportunity Statement
David Game College is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals regardless of race, gender, disability, religion, or any other protected characteristic.
