Assistant Housemistress

Assistant Housemistress 

James and Osborn

January 2022

Kent College Pembury excels in adding value to its pupils both academically and pastorally. We are seeking an Assistant Housemistress for our senior boarding house with full, weekly and flexi boarding places for girls in years 10-U6. Some experience within a school boarding environment is preferred as is a genuine interest in the welfare and development of students. There will be some opportunity to be involved in wider school activities but this is not expected to be a teaching position. Comfortable, self-contained part furnished one bedroom accommodation within the boarding house is provided.

We are looking for a person with energy and an empathy with young people.  They will need to have a sense of humour, work well in a team and be able to deal calmly and efficiently with a variety of tasks.  The successful candidate must have excellent administrative and IT skills. 

Boarding at Kent College is a central part of the school’s life and ethos.  We are very fortunate to have such a close-knit boarding community at the heart of our school and believe that the family atmosphere present in the boarding houses has an extremely positive effect on all of the girls and staff there.

There are two boarding houses at Kent College organised to meet the needs of different age groups. Each house provides modern facilities with spacious bedrooms, cosy common rooms with TVs, and bathrooms with private shower units. The senior boarding house ‘James and Osborn’ is home to all boarders in Year 10 and above, run by a Housemistress, Assistant Housemistresses, and House Tutor.  

The modern, purpose-built facilities in James and Osborn house accommodate a mix of ages from 14 to 18 years.  The hub of activity is often in the kitchens or common room, which welcome impromptu gatherings whilst drinks and snacks are prepared or a game of pool played.  In addition, the house has two TV rooms, laundering facilities and a computer room. 

The newly refurbished dorms in James and Osborn provide excellent individual study units and each pupil has internet access for their laptop.  This facility links them to the school network and thus allows them to pursue their studies in the privacy of their room.  Final year A-level students usually have single rooms.

Founded in Folkestone in 1886, Kent College is an independent day and boarding school for girls with boys in Early Years, with a Senior School (ages 11-18) and Preparatory School (ages 3-11) sharing the same site, facilities and some specialist staff. The school is one of a group of twelve schools within the Methodist Independent Schools Trust.  The school has a resident Chaplain who leads the Christian worship in the school.

Kent College Pembury employs over 200 people in both academic and support staff positions. The school excels in adding value both academically and pastorally and the highly skilled, dedicated and passionate staff are the driving force behind this. We are delighted to welcome applications from candidates who share our core values and who are able to contribute to our continued future success. We recruit staff of the highest caliber who will inspire, support and challenge the pupils, and fellow colleagues, to achieve their full potential. 

We believe in rewarding our staff and offer a complete range of employee benefits including:

• Reduced school fees on permanent roles (Rec-U6 pupils)

• Meals whilst at school during working hours

• Reimbursement for eye tests

• On-site Flu Vaccinations 

• Employee Assistance Programme for Staff Wellbeing 

• Free on-site parking

• On-going professional training and development

• Use of fitness suite (at allocated times)

Closing date: Friday 5th November 2021 by Midday

Candidates are encouraged to apply well before the deadline. We reserve the right to interview candidates before the closing date.

References will be taken up prior to interview.  One of the referees should normally be the applicant’s current or most recent employer.  The post requires the highest level of clearance through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).  

Kent College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children.  Appointees must be prepared to undergo child protection screening Child Protection and welfare are taken very seriously at Kent College, with guidelines on confidentiality and staff-pupil relationship procedures well-publicised to staff.  

All gaps of employment are to be accounted for and rigorously investigated.  Referees are contacted to ensure the validity of the reference.  Testimonials are not acceptable in place of confidential references.