Centre Director (Residential) Summer 2026

CATS Global Schools; Bournemouth; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading education group in Bournemouth is seeking a Centre Director to manage a summer school program. This role involves coordinating the academic and activities programme, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of students and staff, and overseeing budgets. Candidates should have management experience, ideally in a summer or year-round school, and possess excellent communication skills to work with young people from diverse cultures. A commitment to safeguarding is essential. The role requires a degree and the right to work in the UK.

Qualifications

• Proven management experience ideally in summer or year-round school settings.
• Ability to oversee a large group of staff and students.
• Calmly manage customer expectations and troubleshoot any arising issues.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate the academic and activities programme.
• Ensure safety and wellbeing of students and staff.
• Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead for the centre.

Skills

Management and leadership experience

Excellent communication skills

Budget management

Experience with diverse cultures

Education

Degree level education

Job description

• Coordinating the academic and activities programme: Working alongside the Centre Management Team to ensure high performance and a great student experience.
• Managing customer expectations: Troubleshooting any issues that arise calmly and professionally.
• Controlling budgets and expenditure
• Safeguarding: Acting as one of the Designated Safeguarding Leads for the centre. We take safeguarding very seriously. If successful we will conduct full pre-employment checks including an Enhanced DBS check.
• Health, safety, and wellbeing: Ensuring the safety and wellbeing of students and staff.
• Pastoral duties: Taking part in pastoral duties including night duties on a rota basis.
• You must already have the right to work in the UK.
• You must be available to attend our training weekend in June 2026.
• You ll ideally be educated to degree level with previous experience of summer school management.

We are looking for candidates with proven management and leadership experience, ideally in a summer or year-round school.

Depending on the centre, you will oversee around 300 students and 30 staff. You must be a great communicator and have experience working with young people from diverse cultures. This varied role also involves budget management, customer and team satisfaction, and acting as the centre s designated safeguarding lead.

At Stafford House Study Holidays, we welcome over 6,000 students (ages 8-17) from overseas during the summer to help them improve their English. Students stay for up to 2 weeks at one of our fantastic summer centres, taking part in a rich academic, activities and excursions programme. We provide full support during their stay, including airport transfers, accommodation, and meals. As Centre Director, you re the glue that binds the whole programme together. You'll lead your team to deliver a safe, educational and memorable experience for every student.

WHO ARE WE?

Stafford House has over 70 years experience in providing international students with great English language study experiences in the UK. Our mission is to educate, inspire and help our students enjoy our locations, empowering them with confidence to realise their personal potential. Stafford House comprises 2 brands, Stafford House International and Stafford House Study Holidays. We offer 7 fantastic study locations within the UK with a wide range of courses to choose from including English Language and activities, creative Art & Design, sports, and academic preparation courses. Stafford House International is part of CATS Global Schools (CGS), a leading education group committed to inspiring the next generation of world shapers.

OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARDING

CATS Global Schools are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our students and expect everyone connected with the organisation to share this commitment. All positions are subject to the satisfactory completion of safer recruitment pre-employment checks in line with KCSIE guidelines. All shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a criminal declaration form prior to interview and be subject to online checks which may include social media checks in addition to an enhanced DBS check (DBS process paid for by CATS Global Schools), references and if applicable, an overseas police check.

OUR COMMITMENT TO INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY

We are committed to diversity, inclusion and belonging. Building on our core values Pioneering, Persevering, People we pledge to deliver a series of events, guest speakers and focus groups to make CATS Global Schools an employer of choice for all.