JOB DESCRIPTION. Housemistress/Housemaster (boarding)

Transcription

1 JOB DESCRIPTION NLCS Jeju believes that each employee makes a significant contribution to our success and that contributions should not be limited by the assigned responsibilities. Therefore, this position description is designed to outline primary duties, qualifications, and job scope, but not limit the employee, nor NLCS Jeju, to only the work identified. It is the expectation of the school that each employee will offer his /her services wherever and whenever necessary to ensure the success of our organisation. Our School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The School expects all teaching staff, non teaching staff and volunteers to share and uphold this commitment. Position/Job Title Classification Housemistress/Housemaster (boarding) Academic/Pastoral Reporting to Vice Principal Pastoral Duties and Responsibilities The HM s main duty is to safeguard and ensure the health and welfare of the boarders under their care, and to create a harmonious atmosphere favourable to their personal, academic, moral and social development. Line management The post-holder will be directly responsible to the Vice Principal Pastoral. The post-holder will be responsible for a resident Assistant Housemistress/Housemaster and Gap-year Assistant, a non-teaching House matron and a team of academic tutors. Responsibilities of the post 1. To uphold high standards of child safeguarding process and protocol 2. To efficiently manage the staffing, organisation and resources of their boarding House. 3. To provide for and promote the safety, good discipline, academic development and pastoral well-being of boarders in the House. 3. To liaise effectively with the academic team and House tutors to support students academic progress. 4. To be involved in the co-curricular activities associated with their boarding House, including the inter-house competition, but also with the regular Tuesday to Friday activities, as well as the Saturday morning programme. 5. To strive to understand the circumstances of each boarder; their strengths, weaknesses, interests, aptitudes and abilities, so that individual talents and potential is developed and maximised.

2 6. To ensure that the House is a community where boarders feel safe and learn to respect and live harmoniously with one another. 7. To ensure that the House is well-decorated and has a homely feel, along with a sense of identity that becomes central to the lives of those students who live there. 8. To maintain regular contact with parents, updating them on boarding house goings on, and specific academic or pastoral issues related to their child. 9. Be responsible for the oversight of pastoral care of day students in the House. The duties and responsibilities which follow cover most of what is expected of a HM, though the nature of the position is that the HM is always on duty because he/she is ultimately responsible for the organisation of the House, the social, emotional and physical and academic development of the boarders and the general welfare of the staff under their care. The HM has to ensure that the strong values as espoused by NLCS UK are transferred to that boarding situation at NLCS Jeju and that they are promoted, upheld and preserved whilst taking into account cultural adaptations. General At the start and end of the academic year and at the start and end of each term, he/she should be in residence in order to receive and dismiss boarders as set down in contract. This is normally 24 hours before the start of the working week but may be longer when this involves the induction of new students. HMs are expected to establish a regular meeting rota with those who they are accountable for to ensure sufficient challenge and support for those members of staff. They should also attend co-curricular and whole school events when it is appropriate for them to do so. They should have read and be familiar with UK 'The Children s Act' (1989) and the relevant practical guides to the Act and subsequent updates as set down by the regulatory UK authority. They should have read and be acquainted with documentation concerning UK National Boarding Standards (Boarding Schools Association- A Legal Guide for HM ) and make sure that the standards are being implemented. The HM will be responsible for the implementation of the school s Code of Conduct and Rules and Regulations within the house, and all other policies relevant to boarders such as the drugs policy, rules on smoking and alcohol, anti-bullying policy, complaints procedure, policy on duties and responsibilities within the house, health and safety and guidelines for students who are away from the House and especially overnight at the weekends. HMs must also be familiar with the nature of weekend and evening routine and this must be clearly discussed with the whole House team.

3 The tutor team and Assistants in the houses must be familiar with the policy and subsequent sanctions. This policy must also be fully explained to students and parents. Welfare of Students HMs should provide an induction programme for new students. This should include a written introduction to the rules and regulations of the House, the code of conduct expected of the students, the Behaviour for Learning Policy and the leave system. 1. Regular House meetings should be held in which students' opinions are canvassed as well as a discussion of regular House business. 2. A record should be kept of all interviews with students in the House especially interviews that involve disciplinary matters. In such cases, an Assistant Head should always be present for consultation and a witness and note taker should always be in the room. 3. An incident book should register any sanction given to a student, its nature, duration and date and the reason it was given. 4. Inspection of the property of the House should take place on a regular basis and a report made of any defects, whether major or minor, to the Site Manager/Bursar as directed. 5. Regular fire practices (at least one a term) should be held and registers completed at this time. Fire practices should be reported to the Facilities/Site Manager/Bursar. There should be a fire practice in the first week of the new school year. Occasionally, fire practices should take place at night. 6. HMs should be prepared to lock up and keep in a safe any student's valuables. They should be prepared to administer pocket money and to keep a record of it. It is also their responsibility to monitor pocket money and liaise with parents if concerns arise about excessive spending. 7. HMs should also monitor student use of medication and liaise carefully with the Medical Centre. The HM will be asked to act as hosts for visitors to the School and will meet and show around prospective parents when they visit the school. HMs will be part of the whole school appraisal system.

4 Parents Parents should be able to contact HM at all times during the school term and accordingly they should equally be able to contact parents during the course of the term. (Emergency telephone numbers should be on file). HM and Tutors Following the school guidelines, HMs should devise and publish a rota for an adult to be present within the House at all times after the school working day for activities, prep and clubs and societies and at weekends and overnight. At breakfast, HMs must ensure that a member of their boarding staff is on duty in the dining room. The member of staff should monitor the quality of catering and behaviour of students. Clear instructions and guidelines should be given to AHM and House tutors about the way they conduct themselves within the House when they are on duty and what is expected of them. The HM, AHM and House tutors when on duty must ensure that all students are back in the House at night and that doors are locked and secured. Students within the House should know who is on duty and where to contact them in the case of emergency. There will be a rota of meetings for the HM and AHM to discuss House issues with House tutors. The tutor's contribution to pastoral care will be assessed as part of the appraisal process. The HM will draw up a list of duties for the AHM including allocation of time off during the week including the permitted leave times during the week and year as set down in conditions of service for AHM (see appendix). HMs manage the tutor programme and quality assure the tutorial sessions. This requires weekly publishing of tutor notes. HMs play a key role in the pastoral monitoring process which includes formal observations and feedback to tutors. Line management The Vice Principal Pastoral (supported by the Director of Boarding & Assistant Head Pastoral) will have meetings with the HM to discuss common issues. The academic progress of the students will be a major part of the process as well as reports on the social and personal development of the students. Reports on the punctuality of students to lessons and general behaviour and participation in co-curricular activities will be part of this meeting agenda. HM s will be expected to attend formal line management meetings in accordance with the School s formal meeting schedule. Updates on House activities, management of tutor teams and House events, as well as common procedure and policy, will be discussed at these meetings..

5 HMs may liaise with academic staff such as Heads of Department where relevant. The Director of Boarding will be the direct line manager of the HMs for all matter to do with the functionality of the boarding role of the House. Student illness and Medical Centre HMs are expected to have strong links with the Medical Centre and to report sickness immediately to the nurse on duty. On no account should they treat sickness or personal injury themselves, unless in an absolute emergency and if the HM or AHM or tutor on duty has received some training to do so. After Medical Centre hours, HMs may be required to take a student to hospital - particularly in a case of emergency. Accounts HMs will be obliged to keep an account of any 'in-house' expenditure made through House credit card and submit this account on a regular basis to the Finance office with receipts as appropriate. Domestic Staff HMs should produce and keep up to date a job description for the matron and housekeeping staff, monitor their performance and conduct within the House and report any misgivings or concerns to the Bursary House liaison personnel There is expected to be a weekly meeting between the HM and their matron, in the presence of a translator. Gap Year Assistants Supervise Gap year assistants, in conjunction with the guidance given by the Director of Boarding, induction training and guidance over the period they are at the school, as per the Gap Year Student Policy. General Leadership Responsibilities 1. Have a teaching commitment proportionate to the role of Housemaster/Housemistress. 2. Have a commitment to Bryant and CCA activity proportionate to the role of Housemaster/Housemistress. 3. Contribute towards the school s marketing and admissions activities as and when required. 4. Complete all supervisory duties, as required by academic staff, and directed through published rotas. 5. Contribute to whole school professional development programs in line with areas of expertise where appropriate. 6. Attend relevant school events and activities.

6 7. Play a full part in the life of the school, to support its distinctive mission and ethos and to encourage and ensure staff and students to follow this example. 8. Update the Principal, other senior managers and the Governing Body on the effectiveness of the provision in your area, when appropriate. 9. Support the development and maintenance of school policies and practices to ensure consistent application of whole school policy and procedure. 10. Maintain clear expectations and high standards of professionalism. Last JD Review October 2016 Whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of the post, each individual task undertaken may not be identified. Teachers will be expected to comply with any reasonable request from a Head of Department, Vice Principal or Principal to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.

7 PERSON SPECIFICATION Housemaster/Housemistress A Person Specification defines the required professional qualifications, knowledge, skills and qualities of the teachers sought by the NLCS Jeju in the recruitment and selection process. All members of staff employed by NLCS Jeju support and promote the school s aims The school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The School expects all staff and volunteers to share and uphold this commitment. The right person for this position will have the following capabilities in terms of experience and skills: Qualifications Communication Skills Experience, and Knowledge Essential Educated at least to Bachelor degree level plus 3 years of experience; or Master degree or higher. You enjoy working and communicating with young people. Excellent listening skills, and a high degree of emotional intelligence. Strong verbal and written communication skills. Interpersonal skills to develop good relationships with colleagues, parents, domestic staff, and the school community. Knowledge and experience of child safeguarding best practice. Experience of the operational management of a Boarding House, and a proven track Desirable Qualified Teacher status. Evidence of continuous professional development. Additional professional qualifications relevant to the role, such as a BSA qualification. Conversant with National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools for welfare and pastoral care in the house, and child protection measures.

8 record of successful delivery of outstanding pastoral care Working with young people in a boarding or other residential environment. An excellent classroom practitioner with strong knowledge and understanding of the main subject area, with demonstrable subject passion. Ability to manage the learning environment conducive to productive learning for all students. Be familiar with ISI guidance regarding inspection and update procedures in line with latest guidance. Experience of financial management including planning, monitoring and control of budgets. Experience of successfully leading a pastoral team. Experience of working with international students. Attitude and Approach Exceptional leader with proven ability to motivate, enthuse and drive individuals and teams to achieve at the highest levels You are committed to an education that offers academic ambition and rigour, and provides no barriers to learning. Fully committed to Boarding Life, and the flexible working pattern of the role. The ability to be an imaginative and innovative, as a pastoral leader, and as a classroom practitioner. A commitment to further training, and a willingness to participate in, relevant CPD. The energy, stamina, and commitment to professional responsibilities and to the development of all students. A willingness to contribute to the wider life of the school. An imaginative and positive approach to challenges, which seeks solutions to problems. An understanding of the level of personal and professional commitment, to Boarding School community life and the extended school day during term time. Confidence in public speaking.

9 Resourceful, flexible, energetic and determined. Resilient and calm under pressure. An aptitude for diplomacy, and quick logical thought. Good-humoured, enthusiastic, positive, warm and caring. Last review October 2016 NLCS Jeju is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.