Boarding House Lead

**Description**

**Boarding House Lead**

Location: Claremont Boarding Line Manager: Director of Boarding

Role context

The Boarding House Lead is of central importance to Claremont Boarding. They manage the day-to-day life of our British and international boarders, ensure their safety, provide outstanding pastoral care and promote students’ well-being, whilst encouraging a purposeful and positive ethos in the House for which they are responsible.

This role is crucial to maintaining our current “outstanding” Ofsted ranking and promoting Claremont Boarding as the destination of choice in the local area.

The Boarding House Lead reports directly to the Director of Boarding and manages a team of Boarding House Parents within their House. They work closely with the Prep and Senior schools to enable the students under their care to thrive in their educational experience as well as in boarding life. The Boarding House Lead has regular dealings with the services teams to make sure the house is safe and homely. The post holder will also be expected to build a close working relationship with parents and guardians. Each boarding house is managed by two House Leads: one resident and one non-resident, both working separate shifts of 48 hours a week over 39 weeks a year.

Key Responsibilities

1.Regulatory compliance
- Be aware of the implications of the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools and be guided by the Claremont Boarding Management handbook in the day-to-day running of the House.
- Act as the Fire Safety and Health & Safety officer in the House. Manage the 360 platform to ensure that the boarding house is a safe environment for both students and staff.
- Be compliant with the UKVI requirements as guided by the Director of Boarding and the School UKVI authorising officer.
- Ensure the House is compliant with our Boarding health policies.
- Ensure the School and boarding safeguarding procedures are followed by the House team. This includes matters such as the appropriate use of MyConcern, regular staff training in safeguarding and e-safety awareness.

Operational management of the boarding house
- Communicate with the maintenance team and contractors to ensure the House is safe.
- Supervise the housekeeping team to ensure the House is clean and tidy.
- Manage the laundry routine of the House through a well thought-out rota.
- Work collaboratively with the catering team so that boarders follow a healthy and balanced diet.
- Oversee all boarders’ induction and departures as well as safe travel arrangements during term time.
- Liaise with Claremont Transport to organise boarders’ movement to school and other destinations.
- Liaise with the school finance team to organise the House petty cash and other financial matters.
- Liaise with the boarding administrative staff for orders and purchases as well as recharges.
- Update the school office with regard to students’ daily attendance and leaves of absence.
- Work collaboratively with the school nurse, the local GP practice and parents/guardians to keep the boarders healthy, and provide care when necessary.
- Manage staff rota to ensure that adequate adult supervision is in place at all times when students are in residence, and that staff are fairly and efficiently deployed.
- Line-manage the House team of House Parents and hold weekly staff meetings.
- Conduct induction of new staff and manage performance.
- Efficiently manage the resources of the House.
- Be responsible for reporting any issues directly to the Director of Boarding.
- Hold the emergency phone on a rota basis within the Boarding House Lead team.
- Attend weekly Boarding Management meetings and termly insets.

Pastoral care and well-being
- Develop a “home from home” culture in boarding.
- Uphold high standards of discipline in the House, in line with the Boarding Behaviour Policy and the Boarding Management Handbook.
- Encourage a positive culture by praising students when they do well and by being fair..
- Maintain all records and manage the House drive so that it is an up-to-date and useful record of boarding life.
- Allocate rooms with the well-being and safeguarding of students in mind.
- Develop welfare plans to best support boarders and share the relevant information with the House team so that every individual receives the most appropriate care.
- Run regular Voice Meetings so that boarders have a say in the life of the House.
- Liaise as necessary with Tutors, Heads of House, Safeguarding Leads, parents and guardians on matters of welfare.
- Encourage boarders to take responsibilities within the House and support their growing independence.
- Support the smooth running of the House by having a visible presence and getting to know the students under your care.
- Develop stimulating weekly activities and week-end trip programmes and facilitate shared experiences in the House.
- Promote a culture of tolerance, kindness and mutual respect within the House international c