Head of Boarding

Head of Boarding Role Profile and Job Description

At ISP, everyone is a learner. As a senior leader, you model learning and a growth mindset, demonstrating a desire to learn and build on your knowledge, skills and understanding in leading learning and the learning of others. You foster the learning and growth of your leadership team, which will be fundamental to your success.

Learner (ISP definition) 

As learners, we recognise that our mindset, experiences and actions drive our learning

outcomes.  With this awareness, we exercise voice, choice and ownership over our

process of learning – leading our own 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. Wellbeing 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.

ISP Leadership Competencies

You consistently demonstrate and role-model the ISP Leadership Competencies in all that you do.

1. Modelling Collaboration. Takes an active part in leading your leadership team; is cooperative and a genuine team player, developing positive, supportive relationships with colleagues to solve problems and maximise opportunities.

1. Learning & Getting Better. Continually demonstrates personal commitment and passion for learning and getting better using evidence and feedback; supporting others in their continual learning, development and growth.

1. Leading Innovation. Is good at creating an environment where ideas for learning initiatives and services are generated and is able to motivate and inspire others through the process of creation through to completion.

1. Focusing on Outcomes. Can be counted on to find solutions. Is consistently looking to exceed goals and is focused on learners and their learning.

1. Acting with Resilience. Can deal with setbacks and challenges calmly and effectively.

1. Managing Ethically & with Integrity. Has the ability to work ethically and with integrity; helps others feel valued; upholds and models the ISP Vision, Purpose and Principles.

1. Leading & Inspiring Through Influence. Supports, encourages and inspires students, colleagues and teams so that they give their best.

1. Demonstrating Agility. Responds and adapts to changing circumstances; manages and solves problems by providing solutions in a climate of ambiguity.

1. Planning & Making Decisions. Makes decisions on the best course of action and then plans, organises, prioritises and balances resources to achieve the desired outcome.

1. Advocating Diversity & Equity. Has the sensitivity, awareness and skill to understand the values, behaviours, attitudes and practices across cultures that support all children and adults to learn and work effectively.

Head of Boarding Role Profile

As a Senior Leader, you are critical in supporting the Head of School in establishing both a School of Choice and an Employer of Choice. You report to your Head of School and work in active, positive collaboration with your School Senior Leadership Team (SSLT). You are accountable for delivering on the desired outcomes in each of the components listed below, and the ongoing development of the boarding program.

The Head of Boarding is the leader of the boarding team, delivering pastoral care to the boarders. The role requires an approachable, positive and warm person who is available to all boarders without discrimination or favoritism and who can work well with a range of colleagues as part of the team of residential staff.  While this is a non-teaching role, as per the instructions from the Head of School, and the availability of the Head of Boarding, there may be activities and/or responsibilities the Head of Boarding takes on at the school. 

In particular, the Head of Boarding will be responsible for the overall management of the boarding houses, line managing house staff, and ensuring that boarding is a caring, nurturing, and supportive environment and dedicated to the wellbeing and education of students. The Head of Boarding will be living on the premises of the Boarding House(s) during term time.  Provided no boarders need to stay on site during term breaks, the Head of Boarding does not need to be on site.

They will be an empathetic relationship-builder with a sophisticated understanding of (and proven track record of excellence in) how to work effectively within a small team of staff and in a fully residential environment.

The Head of Boarding will have the stamina, energy, and interpersonal skills to command the respect of a wide range of stakeholders from different cultural backgrounds, and the intellect, sensitivity, and humility to engage broadly with a team of staff who will all play a vital role in creating a culture of excellence, outstanding pastoral support, a widely enriched school life, and learning through service.

Safeguarding and Wellbeing. 

You are responsible for the safety and well-being of the students and adults in your area of responsibility. This includes all activities, operations, and policies to ensure students and adults are kept safe both physically and mentally, removing barriers and personalizing learning. You model and foster an open culture and inclusive atmosphere where everyone cares for one another and focuses on learning and getting better. You work in collaboration with your teams to gather, learn from, and act on feedback to inform your decisions in creating an inclusive learning environment. You are crucial in supporting your Head of School to ensure a safe, open, caring, collaborative and inclusive space exists for everyone to grow and develop.

Specific Responsibilities for Safeguarding and Wellbeing:

●        Provide pastoral care to pupils and support pupils’ emotional, cultural and intellectual development

●        Support pupils as they settle into school life

●        Adhere to the principles of discretion, confidentiality, and information sharing

●        Organize and attend social activities for pupils such as games evenings and birthday parties

●        Be a strong presence in the Boarding House communal areas during nominated hours of duty

●        Assist in maintaining high standards of behavior, discipline, manners and courtesy

●        Support, promote and implement House policies and procedures

Culture Building.

You model your shared ideas that are underpinned by ISP’s principles and learning approach. You nurture and drive a learning-focused atmosphere in your area of responsibility. You notice, support, and provide opportunities for staff to develop professionally and personally. You acknowledge and celebrate individual successes and achievements. In collaboration with other Senior Leaders in your school, you actively support, encourage and inspire your school community, contributing to a positive school atmosphere.

Leadership and Development.

You understand your own strengths and areas for development, knowing when to take action and when to seek advice, support or mentor. You lead with vision, empathy and integrity. You actively connect, collaborate and engage with your teams and the wider school community to continually innovate and improve. You establish and monitor systems and procedures to support staff learning and motivation. You recruit, develop and retain talent. Your support for your middle leaders (house parents) empowers them to effectively build and lead high-impact and collaborative teams. Your coaching and mentoring develop self-directed middle leaders and learners.

Head of Boarding Job Description

Policy and Operational Practices:

●        Lead and manage the day-to-day operations of boarding; maintaining and enhancing the quality of provision, promoting boarding as a caring, nurturing, and supportive environment dedicated to the wellbeing and education of students.

●        Maintain the highest standards for boarding in line with the UK National Minimum Boarding Standards and Boarding Schools Association best practices.

●        Ensure continuity and consistency of practice and policy across the Houses.

Mentoring Staff / Students:

●        Be responsible for the management, training, and development of residential and non-residential staff, ensuring that all staff has a clear understanding of their responsibilities to provide care for the students.

●        Maintain positive relationships within and between the boarding houses, ensuring that students are supported academically, socially, physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Budget / Administration:

●        Liaise with the Head of School and Finance, ensuring that boarding house budgets are effectively, efficiently, and rigorously managed.  (school credit card, purchases, weekly shopping, budget, etc…)

●        Plan effectively to stay within established budget and review monthly budget updates with Head of Administration / Head of School

Recruitment of Boarders:

●        Work closely with the Head of Admissions to develop innovative ways to contribute to student recruitment, working collaboratively to meet roll targets.

●        Contribute to the effective marketing of the school, meeting parents, and leading promotional events as needed.

Communications:

●        Ensure that the Houseparent contacts and communicates regularly and proactively with parents including the production of a termly boarding report and newsletter;  the Head of Boarding is the main point of contact between the Boarding House and the faculty at the school, and ensures there are ¨no surprises¨ in terms of student progress, attendance and challenges they face

●        Promoting excellent relations between school and home, through informal and formal processes, ensuring strong and open relationships.

●        Actively establish good relations with parents and all other visitors to the school.

●        Work to maintain effective partnerships with the community, promoting and representing the school at local, national, and international levels.

●        Support and attend all major school events as well as parent evenings.

Safeguarding:

●        All employees are expected to comply with our School Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy.

●        Work with House staff, ensuring that safeguarding policies and health and safety procedures are implemented effectively in each House.

Scheduling:

●        Manage and liaise with house staff in producing and managing boarding supervision rotas, holiday pick-up/drop-off arrangements, beginning, and end of term programmes, new student induction, examination access, weekly and daily boarding trips and excursions, and other administrative requirements.

●        Liaise with domestic staff concerning laundry and cleaning services

Health and Safety / Legal:

●        Coordinate with the SSLT members to develop a robust and proactive implementation of Health and Safety, best practices, and Safeguarding protocols within the boarding houses.

●        Keep any necessary facilities records up to date and organized

●        Help report and monitor maintenance and repairs in the House; ensure necessary preparations are in place for the start and end of terms

●        Acting as legal guardian for International students for the duration of their studies ensuring that all paperwork is in place and processed in a timely fashion. 

●        To accompany students to various offices for registration as International students and obtain their student resident cards. 

●        Keep boarders healthy and safe, in line with School policies

●        Keep parents informed about their children's health, safety and wellbeing

●        Support the administration of first aid and medicines to boarders by the nursing staff

●        Ensure hygiene and cleanliness of boarders (including appearance and uniform) are maintained

●        Contribute to a program of continual risk assessment within the House

●        Prepare risk assessments for all activities, trips and excursions

●        Be familiar with the school’s health, safety and security policies and procedures

●        Ensure fire evacuation drills are carried out every 5 weeks and report outcomes on 360

●        Carry out health and safety inspections of the premises on a monthly basis recording outcomes onto 360 and reporting any major faults immediately to Health and Safety manager.

●        Ensure staff sign-in and out registers, visitors registers and boarders daily registers are maintained by house staff.

Record Keeping:

●        Maintain detailed student records with particular attention to confidentiality, privacy, and sensitivity

●        Attend staff meetings as required

●        Liaise with the School regarding relevant information about boarders

Transport

●        Coordinate transportation arrangements

●        Accompany pupils to medical and dental appointments and call for emergency treatment, if required

●        Help coordinate airport pick-ups and drop-offs

Skills, qualifications and experience

Required

●        Experience working/leading in a residential program (e.g. boarding, summer camps, etc...)

●        Fluency in English (written and spoken)

●        Valid, clean Spanish Driving Licence

●        A positive and solution-focused attitude to working life

●        Able to establish a healthy rapport with pupils, staff, parents, and other staff

●        A high level of professionalism and unwavering commitment to the well-being of children

●        Able to build and work effectively and harmoniously as part of an energetic, cohesive, and hardworking team

●        Strong organization, writing, and IT skills

●        Recent and consistent involvement in extra-curricular activities

●        Respect for all members of the school community, irrespective of position, gender, age and ethnic background

●        A positive and solution-focused attitude to working life

Preferred

●        Educated to University degree level

●        Previous experience working with students for whom English is not their first language and different cultures.

●        Able to speak Spanish or in lieu, a commitment to learning Spanish to an intermediate level within the first year in the position

●        First Aid trained

●        Health and Safety training

●        Able to cook, as required, meals for large groups

Hours of Work:

●        As a resident position, you will be required to work in line with the operational needs of the boarding houses with the highest priority being given to providing cover whilst the children are in residence.  This will include being on duty during the weekends as well as several weekdays. Weekdays being on a rotational basis to facilitate the best possible overall cover in the houses.

●        In addition, you will be required to provide cover in the event of another staff member’s absence, and/or to remain in the boarding house during the daytime or any other time deemed necessary.  In particular, if a student is off school sick or needs to rest in the boarding house. 

●        The Head of Boarding will be on duty in the boarding house outside of term times, a minimum of 5 days (including weekends) before the start of the Autumn term and one week after the summer term finishes. In addition, to be on duty one day on either side of a term or half-term break to facilitate boarders departure and/or arrival times.

●        You will be flexible in your working arrangements and support other colleagues in the performance of their roles which may mean working additional days to cover for an absent colleague.

●        Breaks during the daytime should be taken where possible when boarders are not in the boarding house.

●        House staff will be entitled to a maximum of 2 weekdays leave per week.

Holidays

●        Holidays may only be taken during the main school holiday periods with a leave entitlement of 30 natural days of annual leave.  

ISP Commitment to Safeguarding Principles

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.