Part Time Boarding House Assistant

Part Time Boarding House Assistant Role Profile

We provide an enriching education of the highest standard which allows our pupils to achieve both success and, experience failure in a safe and supportive environment.  Staff, pupils and parents share the fundamental expectation of a positive attitude to learning.  We nurture our pupils, encouraging them to develop a Growth Mindset to ensure they become resilient and persevere in the face of challenges.  Happy, respectful, internationally minded pupils, staff and parents are the core of our community.  We support our pupils and staff to constantly develop and improve themselves.  We do this as a team, without exception.

The Boarding House Assistant position is a pastoral one.  They will need to be available to reside overnight as and when required according to the requirements of the boarding house and on rostered duty periods and will have a responsibility to support the day-to-day care of Boarding students during such periods and whilst the Boarders are in residence. 

Responsible to:

Head of Boarding

Boarding Houseparents

ISP Role Profile

We put learners and learning first. Learning is affected by both internal factors (such as emotions, motivation and general health and wellbeing) and external factors (such as environment, curriculum and relationships). The external factor that has the most significant impact on our students’ learning is the teacher.

At ISP, everyone is a learner. So as one of our teachers, you are also a learner. Together, we will embark on an ongoing process of exploring, expanding and evolving your practice in ways that directly impact and improve student learning.

Learner (ISP definition)

Everyone at ISP is a learner. The ISP learner recognises that their mindset, experiences and actions drive their learning outcomes. With this awareness, they exercise voice, choice, and ownership over their process of learning - leading their learning and the learning of others.

ISP Principles

Begin with our children and students. Our children and students are at the heart of what we do. Simply, their success is our success. Well-being and safety are both essential for learners and learning. Therefore, we are consistent in identifying potential safeguarding issues and acting and following up on all concerns appropriately.

Treat everyone with care and respect. We look after one another, embrace similarities and differences and promote the well-being of self and others.

Operate effectively. We focus relentlessly on the things that are most important and will make the most difference. We apply school policies and procedures and embody the shared ideas of our community.

Learn continuously. Getting better is what drives us. We positively engage with personal and professional development and school improvement.

Assistant Houseparent Key Responsibilities:

●        Ensure the safety and security of Boarders at all times.

●        To uphold the Boarding Schools National Minimum Standards so far as is possible within your role.

●        Support Houseparents by assisting in the responsibility for the welfare, health, safety, and discipline, and care of students.

●        Uphold the rules, discipline, and ethos of the Boarding House.

●        Promote a sense of belonging and unity within the house at all times.

●        Assist in the management of house routines as and when required (bedtimes, prep, wake up, breakfast, checking onto school bus etc).

●        Complete and record daily room checks, ensuring boarders are given feedback daily.

●        Ensure boarders change bed linen and towels at least once a week, supervising when required.

●        Ensure boarders wash their personal clothing items, hang them out to dry, and collect them afterward, supervising when required.

●        Support boarders during study periods, ensuring they work quietly and for the required amount of time.

●        Arrange all trips and excursions, both evenings and weekends by booking suitable venues, and liaising closely with the Senior Houseparent.

●        Accompany International boarders to appropriate offices in order to process legal documents and requirements.

●        Be prepared and willing to prepare a meal for boarders as and when required (weekends, fiestas etc may include lunches and/or snacks)  according to the needs of the house.

●        Supervise boarders packing and clearing of bedrooms and bathrooms prior to their departures for school holidays.

●        Assist the Housekeeper in preparing the houses for handover at the beginning and the end of the academic year.

●        Ensure the house is securely locked at night before departing from the boarding house.

●        Keep accurate records of any incidents or concerns of students as well as any information received from parents by immediately logging in the ‘Day Book’ as well as writing handover notes at the end of your weekly shift.

●        Occasionally drive students to school and boarding activities, appointments with doctors, dentists, legal offices, and hospital appointments.

●        Occasionally drive students to and from local Airports on travel days.

WORKING ARRANGEMENTS

●        All boarding staff should be flexible to the operational needs of the House and therefore, if required, are able and willing to work and provide cover in the event of another staff member's unexpected absence. If necessary, remain in the boarding house during the daytime, overnight, or any other time deemed necessary and as requested by the Houseparent or the Head of Boarding adhering to safeguarding policies and procedures..

●        Provide/supervise a recreational evening house activity for students each week.

●        To be on duty three working weekdays and the weekend before the start of the Autumn term and then one full day on either side of each term and half term holidays.

●        Uphold the highest level of safety and security for boarders at all times.

●        Be aware of safeguarding procedures and practices in relation to boarders as well as in relation to their leave requests, for evenings and weekends as well as their holiday travel arrangements.

●        All Boarding staff are expected to co-operate and support other colleagues in the performance of their individual roles.

GENERAL

●        The post holder’s duties must at all times be carried out in compliance with the School’s policies.

●        The post holder must take reasonable care for the health and safety of self, other persons and resources whilst at work, co-operating with management as far as necessary to enable responsibilities under the School’s Health and Safety Policy.

●        The AH will normally be entitled to two days off duty per week except for the first and last week of each term when it will be one day. They must be prepared to be flexible at all times depending on the staffing needs of the Boarding House.

●        House staff will be required to adjust their normal weekly days off when there is a public (Fiesta) holiday in order to provide full staff cover and accommodate the needs of the boarding house, this will include all regional and national fiesta days.

●        To be on duty during fiesta and statutory holiday days when boarders are resident.

●        The Head of Boarding must be informed prior to any personal visitors whom you wish to invite, at least 24 hours before arriving at the boarding house.  Adult visitors who have satisfactory mandatory police checks and clearance in place will be permitted to visit when boarders are in the house.

●        Staff accommodation is provided during school term times if it is deemed necessary to provide overnight staff cover.

●        On occasions, house-staff may remain in the boarding house during a school holiday period, with prior permission from the Head of Boarding.  However, accommodation is only available between September and June after which all staff must vacate the premises by the end of June (actual dates to be advised).

●        Breakfast and evening meals will be provided during term time only.

●        Disclosure of confidential information including salary and personal contractual agreements with the employer is considered to be a serious breach of trust and may result in disciplinary procedures being implemented.

●        Staff are expected to comply with the School’s Staff Code of Conduct and Staff Dress Code at all times. 

Skills, Qualifications and Experience:

Experience and qualifications:

●        Experience in pastoral roles as well as in fields where strong communication and administrative skills are essential, and a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail. 

●        Languages: a level of English is essential; Spanish is desirable

Personal attributes

●        Have a passion for working with young people, from a diverse community

●        A commitment to getting the best outcomes for all staff, pupils and parents and promoting the ethos and values of the school

●        An approachable manner and excellent interpersonal skills

●        Have a willingness to learn new skills, improve systems and develop the role

●        Be committed to the protection and safeguarding of children and young people.

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

Lady Elizabeth and ISP 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.