Residential Matron

Position: Residential Matron - Term Time Only

Salary : Competitive depending on experience

Reporting to: Headmaster

Responsible to: Headmaster

**Purpose**:

- The position of House Matron is one of significant importance and responsibility. The Matron has a special role in helping to create a happy and well-disciplined atmosphere throughout the House. The success of a Matron’s appointment depends on the establishment of a harmonious relationship with the Houseparent, based on mutual trust. Matron is required to play a key role in the pastoral care of all the pupils in the boarding house on a day-to-day basis, with particular responsibility for the physical, social and emotional well-being and presentation of the pupils in the House. Ultimately, the objective of the Matron is to play a significant role in establishing a ‘home away from home’ environment in which the boarders are at ease and are happy. Overall Responsibilities: The following is a description of the responsibilities and duties of a Matron. A list of expected responsibilities and duties can be neither definitive nor exclusive.
- The Matron is a member of the residential House team, along with the Houseparent and Assistant Houseparent. The Matron is responsible for the pastoral care, health and welfare, and health education of the boys/girls in the House.
- The Matron reports directly to the Houseparent on all matters relating to the welfare of pupils and the fabric of the House. The Matron ensures that the right care is given to the pupils and monitors their well-being at all times. This is done by facilitating and contributing to the various routines of the House, which seek to promote the confidence of the pupils within a happy atmosphere. These routines encourage high standards of dress, cleanliness and respectful relationships with staff and fellow pupils.
- The Matron should be an approachable, kind and friendly person who is available to all pupils without discrimination or favouritism. It is the nature of the role that pupils may confide in them from time to time and the Matron will need to listen and exercise sound professional judgement. This will require a caring attitude in line with understanding of the principles of confidentiality and information sharing, so that matters can be dealt with as they arise while the welfare and happiness of the pupils in the Matron’s care is ensured. To this end, Matrons make themselves available for training courses and professional development, in accordance with the INSET programme structured by the Senior Leadership Team.
- A Matron’s role is to participate fully in the life of the House. Consequently, each Matron is welcome to attend all meals and is encouraged to eat with pupils. Attendance at House matches, helping with House plays, supporting concerts and being an integral part of social events in the life of the pupils will form part of daily life. This involvement helps develop a positive and supportive relationship with the pupils, who appreciate and draw courage from their Matron’s interest in and encouragement of their various activities.
- A Matron should establish close relationships and good communication with parents, taking an early opportunity to do so at the start of a pupil’s career at the School, and being available to talk to parents, especially at the beginning and end of every term, half term and at exeat weekends, or when it is likely that parents will be visiting for matches, concerts, plays, etc.
- The Matron coordinates pupils’ travel arrangements to and from School; for example, ordering taxis to or from airports or mainline railway stations via the transport manager.

**Duties**

General Welfare
- To be responsible, in conjunction with the Housparent, for the pupils’ general welfare, health and presentation.
- The Matron will be expected to help new pupils to settle in and to look after all pupils in the House, both on a day-today basis and in helping them individually to cope with any crises in their lives. This will involve listening to their problems regarding a wide range of issues. A Matron is expected to help the Housparents to create a friendly and happy atmosphere in the House. A Matron will also often be a point of contact with parents.
- The Matron is expected to ensure that the pupils are well turned-out and appropriately dressed.
- The Matron should be monitoring the behaviour of pupils within the House, both good and bad, and alert the HOUSEPARENTS to both types.
- The Matron is expected to assist the HOUSEPARENTS on “social” occasions and in entertaining pupils. This includes having pupils within your flat of an evening to entertain them as and when is required.
- The Matron is expected to support the pupils in their everyday activities where possible, watching them in sports, music, drama etc.
- With the recognised importance of the Children’s Act and the introduction of National Minimum Boarding Standards, the pastoral role of