Housemaster

Gordonstoun has been leading the way in character education for more than 80 years.  Our uniquely broad curriculum provides challenge in the classroom, on the sea and on the mountain, on the stage and on the sports field and enables students to discover the truth in our motto – Plus Est En Vous – there is more in you.  Situated on the stunning Moray Firth with its sunny microclimate, the school offers a superb quality of life for staff and their families. 

An experienced person with a background and qualifications in boarding and/or in pastoral care is required as Housemaster for Cumming House.  Cumming House is a house of 55 boys housed in a refurbished building at the heart of the school.  The post of Housemaster is an exciting and challenging opportunity offering the possibility of further career development either at Gordonstoun or elsewhere.

The School

Gordonstoun School is located in an impressive and attractive 150 acre estate in the temperate climate of Moray. It is six miles from Elgin, a town of some 25,000 population which has a British Rail main-line station. Inverness or Aberdeen, to which there are regular flights from most UK airports, are within one and two hours respectively, and there is straightforward access on good roads to Edinburgh, Glasgow and the rest of Scotland.

The Senior School has around 420 students aged 13 to 18, almost all of whom are full boarders. Gordonstoun Junior School situated on the same campus, has 110 pupils aged 6-13.  Each year approximately 60 students join at Year 9 (13-plus) and 60 come into the Sixth Form.  Almost all students in the School proceed to take three A-Levels at the end of their career, and over 90% each year move on to Higher Education.

The underlying philosophy of the School is that of holistic education – the full and individual development of the potential of every student. Thus, while the academic environment of the School is strong, the development of other attributes – physical, cultural, social and spiritual – is considered no less important and has equal emphasis placed upon it. Success in achieving this is ensured by the range of the School's activities and opportunities (listed in the prospectus), excellent facilities, an extremely generous student/staff ratio and a highly committed staff. The essential elements of Gordonstoun's distinctive ethos are internationalism, responsibility, challenge and service. Holidays are long but, during term time, members of staff devote themselves unstintingly to the welfare of the students and the success of the School. Involvement in school life in the broadest sense is expected from all full-time members of staff.

In this environment, pastoral care is an essential element. All members of staff are involved in this aspect of school life but the Housemaster and Housemistresses are the key people, acting fully and responsibly in loco parentis. A girl or boy looks upon her or his boarding house as home in term time and it is important that a family atmosphere – one of structure and stability, under-pinned by compassion and love – exists within it. There are eight boarding houses (five for boys, three for girls). The Care Inspectorate visits the school on a regular basis and the most recent report graded the pastoral care and support given by House staff at the highest level.

The position and role of Housemaster

The Housemaster (HM) is directly responsible to the Deputy Head Pastoral (a member of the Senior Leadership Team) and, through her, to the Headmaster.  All Housemasters and Housemistresses are members of the School's Pastoral Committee which discusses policy and its implementation.  Flexibility and a readiness to be part of a team are important qualities.

All the boarding houses have a resident Assistant Housemistress/Assistant Housemaster.  This member of staff shares general responsibilities and specific duties with the Housemistress/Housemaster including, routine duties for two days each week and several weekends each term.  The School has a successful and sophisticated tutorial system in which all members of staff are involved, with each House having several members of staff allocated to it to perform supportive responsibilities of guidance and care at the discretion of the Housemistress/Housemaster.  Each tutor does one evening's duty in the House each week.  Each House has a Matron (non-residential) who deputises for the HM during the day, and has various responsibilities for supervision and pastoral care. 

Terms and Conditions

The normal expectation for the appointment of a Housemaster is to complete a minimum of five years in post. Salary will be according to experience, on the Gordonstoun salary scale.  If the Housemaster is married, his spouse, on the condition that they are living in the House in term time, is paid an annual allowance.  The salary scale and all allowances are reviewed annually.

The Housemaster’s accommodation comes free of all rates and Council Tax and subject to a service occupancy agreement.  Fuel and electricity are supplied, but these are declared as a taxable benefit; a telephone is provided free of all rental charges, although the Housemaster will reimburse the School for the cost of personal calls.  The School will meet the cost of furniture removal expenses within the UK.

Reduced educational fees for children are available at the Junior School (6-13) and at Gordonstoun.

These notes are for general information only and the appointment will be subject to signature of formal conditions of employment.  Candidates wishing to be considered for this post should complete the application form and submit a letter of application outlining why they feel they are suitable candidates for this post.

Please submit applications to:

The Headmaster
Gordonstoun School
Elgin
Moray
IV30 5RF

Telephone: 01343 837807
Fax: 01343 837989
Email: recruitment@gordonstoun.org.uk

The Closing Date for applications is Monday 19th November at 12 noon. 

Interviews will be held 4th and 5th of December 2018.

Please note our preference is to receive your letter of application and completed application form as email attachments (and not as embedded body text) sent to the above email address.
Please also note that it is the school’s policy to request references prior to interview.  Additionally we may request references prior to short-listing candidates for interview.  Please make it clear if you require notification before referees are approached.
Membership of the PVG Scheme, which includes an enhanced Disclosure Check, will be required for the successful candidate.