Boarding House Matron

Court was opened in 1924 in the old estate Farm House and was so named due to its proximity to the Real Tennis court. It relocated to a new building in the park in September 2002 overlooking the Brook All Weather pitch. It is about six minutes’ walk from the centre of the school.

**Overall Purpose**

The Matron’s role is to support all aspects of pupil well-being whilst the pupil is at school. The importance of the Matrons role cannot be quantified but it is extremely important to the smooth running of the house and more importantly the welfare of the pupils. Boarding House Matrons will be expected to care for pupils with minor health issues (although she/he does not need to be a qualified nurse), liaising with the Health Centre staff as required and be supportive and understanding of pupils’ day to day needs as well as communicating with parents. In addition, the Matron is also required to support the Housemaster/mistress in all matters relating to pupils, house events and to ensure that the house is maintained to a satisfactory standard in both cleanliness and repair, which will require liaison with members of the Bursarial Support Staff, eg Housekeeping Manager etc. As part of the role the Matron will also be required to assist the Housemaster/mistress with some administrative tasks, including morning registration.

**Duties**

Welfare
- This is an important aspect of the Matron’s role and the Matron should be aware of any personal difficulties being experienced by the pupils including unhappiness, home sickness, health issues, domestic problems and be able to offer appropriate levels of care. In addition, she/he should be prepared to run errands (within reason) when the need arises which could be internal or external. The Matron must have regular communication with Housemaster/mistress, tutors, Health Centre staff and parents to ensure that pupils concerns and issues are dealt with appropriately, but always whilst retaining appropriate levels of confidentiality. Where necessary and by prior arrangement with the Health Centre, Matrons may need to accompany pupils to emergency and / or scheduled hospital appointments.
- Assist the HsM with the logging of travel details and care during holidays of all overseas pupils that require it by UK Immigration Law (UKVI).**
General responsibilities
- ** **_Tidiness_** - Ensure each morning that all pupil accommodation is clear of clothes and debris and ready for cleaning. Beds should be made by pupils. Clean linen is distributed once a week and a check should be made to ensure that it has been used. Liaison with Housekeeping staff to ensure that all communal areas of the house are also maintained to a good clean standard.
- **_Medical_** - Conduct surgeries for house pupils as required and at set times agreed with the Housemaster/mistress. Keep the medicine cupboard replenished and order any medication required by pupils e.g. repeat prescriptions, through the Health Centre. Maintain medicine records of all medication given using ISAMS. Liaise with the Health Centre on a daily basis and pass on a daily report to the Housemaster/mistress, consulting on urgent matters. Take pupils to the Health Centre when necessary. Collect prescribed medication from the Health Centre for pupils under the age of 16.
- **_Laundry_** - Sort and pack dirty laundry ready for collection by Housekeeping on appointed days. Ensure that coloured and white clothing is kept separate. Receive and sort clean laundry.
- **_Mending _**- This is restricted to minor repairs such as replacing buttons, small seam repairs to uniform and games clothing and single name tapes. Larger repairs and multiple name tapes should be referred to the School Shop.
- **_Pupils Appearance_** - Ensure that all pupils are clean and well turned out. Contact parents if uniform is worn out or outgrown. Dry cleaning and shoe repairs should be taken to the School Shop as appropriate.
- **_Purchases_** - In order for a pupil to make purchase from the School Shop a chit must be signed by either the Matron or Housemaster/mistress.
- **_Taxis_** - as above, ensuring that the chit has in no way been altered before signing otherwise this may be rejected by the Taxi company.
- **_Catering_**- Order house issues from Catering. Use Blue Runner system to ensure that all house events are recorded and catered for centrally. Also use Blue Runner for packed lunch requests etc. Distribute bread, butter/margarine and daily snacks.
- **_Allergens_**: Liaise with Health Centre and Catering to ensure you familiarise on any pupil within your responsibility that have any dietary intolerances including allergens. (Refer to Pupil Medical List, issued from health Centre)
- **_Food Safety/Handling_**: If directly involved in extracurricular activities involving pupils producing meals for consumption, then matrons must ensure there is a member of staff with a Food Safety Level 2 (Inc Allergen Awareness) completed prior to commencing the activi