Graduate Boarding Assistant - August 2025

Repton Dubai is seeking to appoint a Graduate Boarding Assistant (Boys or Girls House) for a start August 2025.

A graduate boarding assistant is acting in loco parentis and as such accepts responsibility for the health, welfare and safety of the students who are boarders. Alongside the Head of Boarding and the boarding team, they are the direct link between parent and school when they are on duty and are responsible for keeping the Head of Boarding and other staff informed of all relevant information regarding the pupils in their care.

A graduate boarding assistant must demonstrate an empathy with and understanding of young people, a sense of humour and desire to be actively involved in their personal development. The successful candidate will also be required, at times, to be firm with the students and enforce necessary rules of conduct and be fair and consistent with the application of behavioural sanctions. 

About Cognita:

Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ schools in 16 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 85,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, ‘Thrive in a rapidly evolving world’.

About Repton School Dubai:

Repton Dubai was founded in 2007 and is a ‘world class’ international school in the heart of Dubai. One of the few genuinely international schools in the Gulf Region, Repton Dubai combines the reputation and academic rigour of the UK curriculum, from infants and junior school up to IGCSE level in Year 11 and then embraces the challenges and opportunities of the International Diploma or IB in the Sixth Form, whilst also offering A levels.

Set in a stunning campus in Nad Al Sheba, and almost uniquely in Dubai, also offering a dynamic boarding experience, Repton pupils from ages 3-18 benefit from facilities, resources and a classroom and sporting experience, that is the envy of their peers.

The department is proud of the outstanding results achieved in recent years for both IGCSE and IB. The successful candidate will join a hard-working, driven and experienced team of dedicated teachers, all working in collaboration to make our subject highly engaging and our young people experts. At Repton we have state of the art facilities, and we have embraced technological advances to allow students and teachers to be creative and successful in the modern world, this is a great opportunity to join a highly effective team.

Our mission is ‘the rigorous pursuit of excellence, inside and outside the classroom, combined with a passionate concern for the wellbeing of each individual’

Skills, Experience & Responsibilities:

Pupils:

1.To act 'in loco parentis' to all pupils in the house and ensure that the health, safety,

happiness and well-being of every pupil is given the utmost attention and importance.

2. To ensure that the individual circumstances, needs, strengths and personal challenges of each pupil are identified and understood by staff as needed so that individual opportunities, talents and potential are developed and maximized.

3. To undertake rostered weeknights and weekend duties, inclusive of planning and leading weekend excursions.

4. To be aware of the academic strengths and weaknesses of pupils; to liaise with Heads of Boarding, boarding staff, teachers and tutors to ensure that relevant background circumstances of pupils are known and considered; to ensure that the conditions and supervision of evening prep are conducive to effective academic progress.

5. To counsel pupils concerning any academic, social, emotional or behavioural problems they may have.

6. To inform the Safeguard Lead immediately if any child protection concern arises, in line with the school's policy on child protection and safeguarding.

Management

1. To ensure that parents and pupils understand the aims and objectives of boarding in the house, and the principles on which community life in the house is based;

2. To liaise with the school nurse(s), doctor and residential boarding nurse to ensure that pupils' medical requirements are properly catered for; to encourage pupils to adopt a healthy lifestyle;

3. To liaise with the boarding team and housekeeping staff to ensure that pupils treat the belongings of others, and the fabric and furnishings of the house, with respect;

4. To use every opportunity to cultivate communication with pupils; to ensure that family incidents and problems are brought to the attention of those that need to know;

5. To ensure that all members of the boarding staff team (including non-teaching personnel and senior pupils as appropriate) are familiar with the school's policies and procedures for child protection, countering bullying, substance misuse and health and safety and are aware of the appropriate response needed in these areas.

8. Along with other boarding staff, ensure that the boarding house is adequately staffed, including covering duties and being available in an emergency as and when needed.

Child Protection

Receive appropriate child protection training prior to beginning work in the boarding house.

Undergo induction training with the Head of Boarding and Assistant Head of Boarding prior to beginning duties in the boarding house

Follow and implement the Schools Safeguarding Policy

Administration:

To be aware of the implications of the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools regarding welfare and pastoral care of boarding students.

To keep boarding records up to date in line with the necessary policies and procedures in place.

Conditions of Appointment:

To live in the accommodation provided in the boarding house. Full board and lodging in a one bedroom apartment will be provided.

Within School Role

The Graduate Boarding Assistant will support the Senior School during the usual school working hours and may be asked to support with some/all of the following:

• Lead/support with an Extra Curricular Activity where appropriate

• Provide support to the pastoral team as a pastoral manager

• Provide cover support within the school as/when/if needed

• Fulfil three break/lunch duties a week

• Communicate with boarding student teachers and remain active in school life

To support your application, please include your current, up-to-date CV.

The school reserves the right to interview and appoint strong candidates before the official closing date, and therefore we would encourage candidates to apply early in the process.

Cognita is committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects the same from its employees. All new staff will be subject to detailed and enhanced pre-employment clearance, including identity checks, criminal background checks for all countries lived in, qualification checks, employment checks to include an exploration of any gaps in employment, and satisfactory reference checks for all employment in the last 5 years.