Boarding House Parent

ROLE SUMMARY:

We are seeking an energetic, dedicated, and responsible individual who is enthusiastic about adventure activities and youth development to join our boarding team.

The House Parent & Boarding Adventure Activities Coordinator plays a crucial role in creating a safe, supportive, and inspiring environment for students living in the boarding house. This position involves providing outstanding pastoral care while also planning, organizing, and managing an engaging weekend adventure program and evening sports and fitness activities during the week.

This is an excellent opportunity for candidates with experience in outdoor education, adventure sports, or activity leadership who wish to combine pastoral care with stimulating outdoor experiences that build confidence, resilience, and independence in young people.

Pastoral & Boarding Responsibilities

In this role, you will offer daily pastoral support, guidance, and motivation to students. You will supervise boarders during specified mornings, evenings, and weekends. Your responsibilities include encouraging independence, responsibility, and positive study habits among students. Promoting student health and wellbeing is vital, which includes handling minor medical issues and collaborating with medical staff when required. You will maintain the standards of the boarding house by promoting positive behavior, mutual respect, and a sense of community, ensuring a safe, welcoming, and organized environment. Additionally, you will need to respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns, incidents, and emergencies in line with school policies.

Adventure & Activities Leadership

You will take charge of planning, organizing, and leading a structured weekend adventure program featuring activities such as mountain biking, surfing, rock climbing, hiking, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), kayaking, and Duke of Edinburgh Adventurous Journeys. It is essential to conduct risk assessments and ensure that all activities adhere to safety regulations. You will also facilitate safe transportation and supervision during off-site events, promoting participation, inclusion, and skill development for students of all abilities.

Your role will also involve leading evening sports, fitness, exercise, and recreational sessions within the boarding program. You will encourage physical wellbeing and healthy lifestyles while developing new initiatives to enhance boarding life and broaden students’ experiences.

Essential Requirements

• A strong commitment to the wellbeing, safety, and development of young people is required.
• Experience in outdoor education, adventure activities, or sports leadership is necessary.
• Relevant coaching or activity qualifications (or a willingness to obtain them) are needed.
• You should be confident in leading and supervising groups in outdoor environments.
• Strong organizational skills, particularly in managing off-site logistics, are essential.
• Fluency in spoken and written English is required.
• You must demonstrate calmness, reliability, and adaptability in high-pressure situations.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and overnight shifts is essential.
• An understanding of safeguarding and child protection is crucial (training will be provided).
• A First Aid qualification is required; Outdoor First Aid is preferred.

Desirable Attributes

• Experience in a boarding or residential youth setting is advantageous.
• National Governing Body (NGB) qualifications in activities like mountain biking, climbing, paddlesports, or surfing are beneficial.
• Experience in conducting risk assessments and managing outdoor safety procedures is a plus.
• A passion for mentoring young people through challenges and adventures is desirable.
• The ability to inspire confidence, resilience, and teamwork through activity-based learning is essential.

Working Pattern

This position requires a commitment of 40 hours per week, with two days off. Weekend work is necessary as part of the adventure program, and evening responsibilities will also be part of the role. Apply via the WhatSchool platform.