This is a permanent, full-time role from September 2026
Closing date: Wednesday 4th February 2026 Start date: 1st September 2026
The School reserves the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Boarding is central to life at The Purcell School and Houseparents play a vital role in the wellbeing of our students, taking full responsibility for their welfare during term time.
This full-time role takes senior managerial responsibility for the whole boarding experience including NMS compliance; the leadership, management and professional development of Houseparents and Boarding Staff; the induction of students; oversight of wellbeing provision within boarding; oversight of the boarding activities and the management of student behaviour ‘out-of-hours’.
Our students are hugely gifted and lead extremely demanding lives balancing academic and musical life, so it is vital that they receive outstanding care in their Houses, feel well supported and truly feel that we are their ‘home from home’. School must be somewhere they live, rather than somewhere they simply stay. If you understand the distinction, this position could be for you! The Director of Boarding needs to have a clear vision for the boarding experience and will be supported to achieve it.
The School has three boarding houses: Avison (Co-Ed, Years 7-9); Sunley (Girls, Years 10 –13) and Ellington (Boys, Year 10-13; Girls Years 12-13) and these are staffed by three resident Houseparents, Assistant Houseparents, Day Staff and a team of Resident Graduate Assistants.
The Director of Boarding is a member of the School’s SLT (Senior Leadership Team) and, as such, will devise policy and advise the Principal on best practice, resources and the appointment of boarding staff. Hours of work will vary according to need but on site presence will be required during “boarding time” (i.e. evenings and weekends) to ensure support for Houseparents, students and parents. In brief, it is envisaged that the operational and residential running of the School will be ‘handed over’ to the Director of Boarding during these times. The Director of Boarding will be supported by the Vice-Principal and Principal. This is a non-teaching post.
This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of boarding at one of the world’s most celebrated schools. The School is committed to ensuring that students are safe, happy and healthy at all times, and this role is pivotal in ensuring we meet that aspiration. The role is demanding and challenging during term time and will require significant personal resilience. SLT members need to be able to deal effectively with the unexpected whenever it occurs (across a range of issues) and need to understand that we work whatever hours are necessary to “get the job done” during term time. Good decision-making under pressure is essential.
If you are energetic, ambitious and creative; if you are an experienced boarding and/or pastoral practitioner who genuinely enjoys the company of young people and who would relish the challenge of an SLT level role, this would be a fantastic opportunity for you!
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
This is a full-time post. The salary will be based on the School’s salary scale, according to the successful candidate’s experience, with a contributory pension scheme. This is a residential position and the postholder will be required to live on site during term-time. A three bedroom house will be made available free of any rent or utility charges.
Meals are available and free of charge in the School dining hall during term-time.
There is a sixth month probationary period. This post is subject to regular appraisal.
HOW TO APPLY
If you wish to apply, please complete the School’s Application Form (available on our website) and send it with a supporting Personal Statement to the Principal as soon as possible. Please do not send a separate curriculum vitae.
Personal statements should outline your experience and evidence your achievements. If you have a specific area of specialism or industry experience, please demonstrate how this enables you to contribute to an outstanding student experience.
Interviews will explore pastoral experience, the ability to relate appropriately to students and a willingness to contribute to the whole School community. Candidates will be required to bring evidence of identity and qualifications to the interview.
Applications should be made to the Principal, sent by email to recruitment@purcell-school.org or by letter to: Recruitment, The Purcell School, Aldenham Road, Bushey, Hertfordshire, WD23 2TS
Potential applicants are offered the opportunity to have an informal telephone conversation with the Principal in advance of making an application during which they may ask questions about the post, the priorities of the school and the wider terms and conditions. Please contact recruitment@purcell-school.org to arrange a call.
The Purcell School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
JOB TITLE: Director of Boarding
Reporting to the Principal
This job specification sets out the duties of the post at the time of drafting. Specific responsibilities are as follows:
FOR THE ROLE
- To provide strategic and managerial oversight of boarding and to safeguard the welfare of boarders
- To advise the Principal on all matters relating to boarding, compliance and the student experience
- To be aware of and comply with current health and safety, safeguarding and child protection legislation and procedures, and to uphold the school’s policy on child protection and ensure the School meets all obligations in this regard
- To rigorously ensure the School complies with its obligations outlined in the National Minimum Standards, Independent Schools Regulations and other applicable legislation
- To lead and manage Houseparents, including their professional development and ensure outstanding standards of care
- To chair weekly Houseparent and pastoral meetings
- To attend fortnightly SLT meetings (and others, as necessary)
- To facilitate a boarding culture which enables every boarder to develop their full potential, academically, musically and socially, and to promote their personal development, including leadership, consideration for others and courtesy
- To ensure that boarding staff, parents and students understand the aims and objectives of boarding and the principles on which community life in the House is based
- To ensure Houseparents keep good order and ensure a high standard of discipline within their House, according to the School’s behaviour policy and support them with difficulties as the need arises
- To liaise as necessary with other members of staff, tutors, parents and guardians on matters relating to the welfare of boarding students
- To oversee and manage efficiently the staffing, organisation and resources of the boarding provision ensuring that appropriate adult supervision is provided at all times when students are in residence
- To support the smooth-running of the house by supporting staff with advice and guidance ‘out-of-hours’
- To hold the on-call Boarding Phone and be available to provide advice, guidance and reassurance
- To be in residence for 48 hours prior to and after the end of each term to assist with the preparation and closing of the boarding house
- To participate in School Inset meetings
- To assist at whole school events
