Houseparent- Girls House

Job Summary The School is seeking to appoint a suitably-qualified and experienced candidate to lead one of our girls’ boarding houses. The role of the houseparent is crucial within the School and involves acting in loco parentis for all of the students within the house (generally 70-90 students for senior houses / 40-50 for junior houses). Houseparents are the main port of call for all students and parents within their house and play a vital role in making sure that our students are monitored and cared for in both academic and pastoral capacities. They work closely with the Secondary and Whole School Leadership Teams to ensure high standards of student wellbeing and academic success. Experience teaching IGCSE syllabus is required. Job description The Boarding Houseparent, acting in loco parentis, has ultimate responsibility for the wellbeing of students within his/her house and for ensuring his/her students make the most of life at KTJ. Key Duties To run the house in accordance with the agreed school practices and procedures, as part of a collegiate houseparent body; To oversee the personal and academic development of all students in the house; To monitor the emotional, physical and mental health of each student, reporting concerns, as necessary, through the appropriate school channels; To oversee the daily welfare of each student in the house and to ensure accurate checks are carried out on attendance and locations of students; To develop students as leaders within the house; To liaise with the Medical Centre and School Counsellors on matters related to students in the house; To maintain a well-disciplined and happy house environment, where rules are obeyed and high standards of behaviour are observed; To oversee students’ adherence with the School’s uniform policy, and to track the rewards and sanctions of students; To keep appropriate and thorough records for each student within the house in order to ensure continuity of care and good pastoral oversight; To ensure students in the house have a variety of activities to keep them occupied and entertained at weekends and during exeats, including the organisation of house events such as House Night and other trips; To support students in events, e.g. sporting fixtures, concerts, etc.; To communicate with other members of staff, as appropriate, regarding the wellbeing and care of students within the house; To communicate regularly with parents, ensuring they are kept up-to-date with house matters and with the progress and wellbeing of their children; To respond in a timely fashion to requests and enquiries from parents; To communicate with all new parents and students ahead of their first term in the house; To provide a welcoming environment for parents and other visitors to the house; To ensure the house is a caring and safe environment for all students; To report any health and safety issues to the appropriate members of staff immediately; To have oversight of the furniture and fittings of the house and to ensure the house is properly maintained; To ensure travel arrangements of students are recorded and to follow up on any arrangements which are not in line with school policy and expectations; To manage the team of House Tutors and Mentors; To oversee the work and responsibilities of the house matron, including his/her responsibilities for laundry, cleaning and healthcare; To ensure the house is always properly staffed in line with school procedures and requirements; To keep track of the house budget and to ensure it is spent appropriately, and to keep a house bank, in which students can deposit pocket money; To keep an accurate record of additional charges to students and to provide these records termly to accounts staff; To plan, implement and regularly update a house development plan. Personal characteristics and skills Minimum of 10 years teaching experience in IGCSE syllabus. Strong team member, who actively builds and promotes trust and openness; Strong leadership skills, including the ability to manage staff effectively and sensitively and to challenge unsatisfactory conduct or performance; Excellent communication skills, both verbally and written; Excellent listening skills; Highly proficient in spoken and written English. Able to communicate in French or Korean language will be an added advantage. Excellent organisational and administrative skills; Excellent understanding of child development and care; An enthusiastic, self-motivated and flexible approach; The ability to create a stable working and pastoral environment; The ability to take the initiative; Excellent customer focus and the ability to work positively with everyone in the school community; High degree of ICT literacy; A genuine interest in young people and their wellbeing; Affinity with the School’s boarding ethos and with the values of Kolej Tuanku Ja’afar. KTJ is a friendly and supportive environment for students and staff alike. More information on the School can be found in our staff recruitment brochures (available on the vacancies page of our website). Applications should be made to Ms Anne Soosay via email to [email protected] and marked ‘private and confidential’. Please submit a cover letter and a completed application form (available on our website), including contact details of three referees, one of whom should be your current employer. The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to security vetting.