Director of Boarding & Residential Life

EF Academy; Oxford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

The Head of Boarding at EF Academy Oxford will provide clear leadership for the boarding provision, building a culture of high expectations, warmth and strong relationships. You will directly line manage the Boarding Team, set objectives, and drive a Boarding Development Plan aligned to the School Development Plan.

You will act as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, oversee safeguarding and pastoral matters, and ensure the welfare and wellbeing of residential students, including handling

Qualifications

• Strong experience in boarding, pastoral care, residential education or a closely related environment.
• Successful experience of leading and developing people.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and a clear commitment to the welfare of young people.
• A genuine enjoyment of working with students aged 16–19.
• Warmth, empathy and the ability to build strong relationships while maintaining clear professional boundaries.
• Good judgement and the ability to remain calm and make appropriate decisions in challenging situations.
• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• The ability to work confidently with international students and families from a wide range of cultures and backgrounds.
• A proactive approach to solving problems and improving provision.
• An understanding of the importance of health and safety, compliance and effective premises management within a residential environment.
• The ability to work collaboratively across academic, pastoral and operational teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide clear leadership and direction for the boarding provision.
• Create a culture of high expectations, warmth, consistency and strong relationships.
• Directly line manage the Boarding Team, set clear expectations, objectives and standards.
• Support and develop staff through regular feedback, appraisal, coaching and appropriate performance management.
• Develop and review a Boarding Development Plan that supports the priorities of the School Development Plan.
• Translate relevant School Development Plan priorities into practical improvements within boarding.
• Use student, parent and staff feedback to identify opportunities for improvement.
• Develop effective, fair and sustainable boarding rotas.
• Promote a culture in which colleagues take responsibility, communicate effectively and work collaboratively.
• Pastoral Care, Safeguarding and Student Experience
• Act as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL) and work closely with the DSL and wider safeguarding team.
• Ensure safeguarding and pastoral concerns are identified, recorded, communicated and followed up appropriately.
• Ensure the boarding team knows students well and notices changes in behaviour, wellbeing or circumstances.
• Lead responses to significant pastoral or residential incidents.
• Support students with homesickness, friendship difficulties, cultural adjustment and other challenges associated with living away from home.
• Work closely with the School Nurse and relevant colleagues to ensure appropriate care for students who are unwell.
• Create an inclusive boarding community that reflects and celebrates our international student body.
• Ensure students understand and meet expectations around behaviour, curfew, attendance, routines and residential life.
• Support students in developing increasing independence, responsibility and practical life skills.
• Ensure boarding routines support healthy habits around sleep, study, organisation and wellbeing.
• Promote meaningful opportunities for student voice and leadership.
• Create a Positive Boarding Community
• The Head of Boarding will help ensure that students enjoy living at EF Academy Oxford as well as studying here.
• THIS WILL INCLUDE

Skills

Boarding leadership

Pastoral care

Safeguarding

Team management

Staff development

Student wellbeing

Policy compliance

Communication

International students

Job description

The Head of Boarding at EF Academy Oxford will provide clear leadership for the boarding provision, building a culture of high expectations, warmth and strong relationships. You will directly line manage the Boarding Team, set objectives, and drive a Boarding Development Plan aligned to the School Development Plan.

You will act as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, oversee safeguarding and pastoral matters, and ensure the welfare and wellbeing of residential students, including handling