Head of Boarding/Houseparent

Cargilfield is Scotland’s first and premier prep school. We were founded in 1873 and are about to celebrate our 150th anniversary.

We are a school of about 300 boys and girls, aged 3 – 13 and located in our own grounds on the north-west edge of Edinburgh, about five miles from the city centre.

Cargilfield is seeking to recruit a Head of Boarding and Houseparents to manage the flexi, weekly and weekend boarding at the School. 

There are plans to significantly invest in the boarding facilities and the Houseparents will take a lead role in this. One of the Houseparents will act as Head of Boarding. The exact breakdown of the responsibilities would depend on the experience and skills that the applicants offer.  A willingness to get fully and energetically involved in the extra-curricular life of the school is essential.

Applications close: Monday 23rd May 2022

Start date: Monday 29th August 2022

We aim to appoint the best candidate(s) and so we are ready to be flexible over the start date for this role.

The Headmaster and his wife, Rob and Sarah Taylor, would be happy to speak to any candidates ahead of making an application and to answer any further questions.

Job Purpose:

The Head of Boarding/Houseparents are responsible to the Headmaster for the well-being and pastoral care of all boarding pupils and, in particular, ensuring that staff with pastoral responsibilities provide a happy and welcoming environment in which pupils can enjoy their weekly, flexi or weekend boarding experience. They will also be required to promote boarding, enabling the School to continue to develop its boarding community.

The role of Head of Boarding is primarily to fulfil the follow aims:

• Be responsible for ensuring that the boarding house is run in line with the ethos of Cargilfield School.

• To lead the development of boarding at Cargilfield.

• Monitor, oversee and maintain the welfare, safety, discipline and pastoral well-being of all members of the boarding house.

• To act as loco parentis and an appropriate role model for all the boarders.

Specific responsibilities and duties will include:

• Liaising with form teachers to ensure consistent pastoral care for the boarders.

• Planning and overseeing boarding inspections according to the guidelines of the Care Inspectorate.

• Be aware of all aspects of Safeguarding and attend relevant training. 

• Develop a strategy to ensure that boarding is promoted and marketed in an appropriate and effective way and meeting regularly with the Headmaster to review progress.

• Meeting with parents, pupils or staff undertaking pastoral duties.

• Organising the boarding routines with the cooperation and support of the boarding staff to ensure the security, safety and well-being of all boarders, appropriate to the age of the boarders.

• Communicating regularly and effectively with the Headmaster and his wife, SMT, staff and parents on issues relating to the general welfare of boarders, in particular matters causing concern.

• Setting, supervising and monitoring of duty rotas to ensure there is adequate and appropriate supervision in the boarding house.

• Establishing and maintaining appropriate standards for boarders of discipline, behaviour and dress.

• Planning boarding weekends in advance within cost limits agreed with the Head and managing the duty rotas for staff.

• Being present for brief periods, before and after each term and during half terms to ensure that facilities for boarders are set up or properly closed down. To be contactable via email throughout the holidays. 

• Allocation of boarders to dormitories.

• Meeting formally with the pastoral team to review all matters affecting the welfare of boarders.

• Meet regularly with the boarders to hear their thoughts and feelings regarding the boarding house.

• Ensure adequate catering provision is made for the boarders and, where appropriate, their parents by liaising with the Headmaster’s Wife and/or the Catering Manager.

• Liaise regularly with the School Nurse regarding the medical requirements for the boarders.

• Liaise with the Bursar regarding charges incurred as a result of boarding.

• Work at least three nights a week and on all boarding weekends.

• Write reports for the boarders at the end of each term.

• Complete Health and Safety recommendations and paperwork in coordination with the school’s H&S policies.

• To be the ‘night-time’ fire coordinator in the absence of the Headmaster.

• Be abreast and keep updated on all boarding issues across the sector and be proactive in the implementation of new strategies.

Ideal candidates will:

• bring a dynamic approach to life in the boarding house at Cargilfield.

• have a high level of emotional intelligence and be calm under pressure.

• have an understanding and experience of modern practices in pastoral care and child welfare for children aged 8 – 13.

• be able to offer other skills – such as teaching or coaching - to the life of this busy and dynamic prep school.

• be ready to work hard to support the children in their care.

• communicate effectively with children, parents and colleagues, both orally and in writing.

• be good team players.

• be organised and capable administrators to ensure the smooth running of the boarding house and its activities.

• have a UK driving licence and be ready to drive a minibus and undertake minibus training if required.

• Possess First Aid and BSA qualifications or be ready to acquire these.

The remuneration package will include:

• A two-bedroom apartment within the School.

• Generous fee remuneration for children aged 3 – 18.

• Salary dependent upon experience.

To apply:

Please send a CV and covering letter to bursar@cargilfield.com before the closing date