Boarding Houseparent

The opportunity

Merchiston International School, Shenzhen is seeking to appoint exceptional Houseparents, for our girls' and boys' houses,  with a proven track record of working within boarding communities. Reporting to the Deputy Head (Pastoral), candidates will provide compelling leadership and vision to ensure the school can continue to deliver in developing our pastoral care, student support and culture, enhancing the student experience for both day and boarding students. The post holders will ensure every individual student is valued and encouraged to develop their full potential in all areas of school life.

The positions will commence in August 2021, and the initial contract will be for a period of two years.

It is expected that the successful candidates will also work closely with the Head of Seniors and the Head of Juniors to ensure the academic experience of all boarding students is developed, strengthening links between the academic and boarding life of the school. The post holders will ensure the strengths of boarding at MIS are developed and promote and facilitate a diverse range of inclusive, engaging, co-curricular student opportunities. Communication and meeting with parents is an important part of this role. The ability to develop and show empathy for and understanding of the Far East is important.  

Houseparents play a significant role in ensuring the safeguarding and wellbeing of all our boarding pupils.

The successful applicants will be expected to teach a reduced 50% timetable and applicants should indicate teaching subjects within their application.

For the right candidate, we are also looking for one of our Houseparents to assume the role of Assistant Head Boarding, reporting directly to our Deputy Head (Pastoral). Please indicate in your application whether you also wish to be considered for the role of Assistant Head Boarding and whether you wish to be considered as a Houseparent for our girls' or boys' house.    

Merchiston International School

MIS is a thriving learning community that challenges all staff to push boundaries with their learning and teaching and to be progressive in their own professional learning.

We offer an innovative British independent school curriculum for international students aged 4 – 18, starting in EYFS and culminating in IGCSE and GCE A Level. The campus, imbued with the ethos of its founding school, Merchiston Castle School Edinburgh, is designed to create the kind of innovative learning spaces in which an effective 21st-century education can flourish and inspire.

All MIS teachers are expected to participate fully in the school’s life beyond the classroom by contributing to boarding house life and the co-curricular programme. 

How to apply

Applicants should apply online through the TES careers portal. Please provide the names and full contact details of three professional referees, one of whom should be the Director/Head of School/Principal of your current school.

Short-listed candidates must be able to provide a recent DBS/PVG check, police clearance certificate, or similar record of non-criminality demonstrating that there is no reason why they cannot work with children.

The application should be submitted no later than Friday, January 29th, 2021.

Early applications are encouraged as MIS reserves the right to appoint before the deadline.

Due to national regulations, it is very unlikely that we will be able to secure a work permit or visa for foreign nationals whose 60th or subsequent birthdays take place between August 1, 2021, and July 31, 2022.