House Matron

The Independent Schools Council; Chelmsford; Hybrid; GBP 21,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

35 days’ holiday

Excellent benefits & CPD

Lunch provided in term time

Discounted sport club membership

Job summary

New Hall School in Essex is seeking a House Matron to provide high‑quality pastoral care for boarders within a Catholic independent boarding and day environment.

You'll work closely with Heads of Boarding and Assistant Heads of Boarding to support students' wellbeing, promote a caring house culture and uphold safeguarding and safety standards across daily routines.

Qualifications

• Educated to A Level standard (or equivalent).
• Experience in a school or similar educational environment is desirable.
• Excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Support the Catholic ethos and spiritual development of boarders.
• Maintain an outstanding boarding environment in line with National Minimum Standards.
• Foster a caring, inclusive House community with high behaviour standards.
• Monitor boarders' welfare and liaise with health and wellbeing services.
• Assist with House administration and safeguarding responsibilities.

Skills

Pastoral care

Excellent communication

Organisational skills

Interpersonal skills

Empathetic demeanor

Education

A Level standard or equivalent

Job description

We are seeking to appoint a House Matron to play a vital role in the largest Catholic independent boarding and day school in the UK.

The House Matron is expected to understand and be prepared to commit to the Catholic ethos of the School. Possessing patience, empathy and understanding, the successful candidate will provide the very best standards of care and support to our boarders.

Working closely with the Heads of Boarding (HoB), and the Assistant Heads of Boarding (AHoB), the House Matron will provide pastoral care to boarders, sharing responsibility for their physical, social and emotional wellbeing and presentation within the House. They will also contribute to establishing a ‘home’ environment for boarders through the day-to-day routines and culture of the House.

Key responsibilities:

• to support the Catholic ethos of the School and contribute to the spiritual growth and development of boarders through worship, prayer and reflection
• to support the HoB and AHoB in maintaining an outstanding boarding environment that exceeds the National Minimum Standards and promotes the House within the wider School community
• to build positive relationships with boarders and their families, attending School events and maintaining effective communication with parents
• to foster a caring, inclusive and respectful House community, promoting high standards of behaviour, equality and diversity
• to support the pastoral care, wellbeing and successful integration of all boarders, including new students
• to encourage boarders' personal development, independence, healthy routines and responsibility for their belongings and living environment
• to monitor boarders' welfare, maintain accurate records and liaise with the Health & Wellbeing Centre regarding medical and wellbeing matters
• to undertake room inspections, manage lost property and ensure boarders maintain high standards of dress, appearance and personal organisation
• to work with Housekeeping, Porters and the House leadership team to ensure the House is clean, well maintained and prepared for the start of terms
• to uphold safeguarding responsibilities, remain vigilant to welfare concerns and supervise authorised visitors to the House as required
• to support House security, fire safety procedures, Health & Safety compliance and risk assessments
• to assist with House administration, ensuring all paperwork is completed in line with the NMS

The successful candidate will be expected:

• to have a clear understanding of, and commitment to, the aims and ethos of a Catholic independent boarding and day school
• to care about the School's charitable work and public benefit and to help nurture the spirit of service to others
• to be educated to A Level standard (or equivalent)
• to have previous experience of working in a School, or similar educational environment
• to have excellent communication, organisational and interpersonal skills
• to demonstrate a high level of accuracy, discretion and attention to detail
• to demonstrate the ability to build positive and professional relationships with students, parents and staff
• to have a clear understanding of the importance of promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children
• to show commitment to supporting student wellbeing and pastoral care
• to demonstrate a calm, approachable and empathetic manner when working with young people
• to be able to manage a varied workload, prioritise effectively and work under pressure
• to demonstrate a positive, proactive and flexible attitude

What New Hall offers:

• 35 days’ holiday (including bank holidays)
• Excellent benefits & CPD
• Lunch without charge in term time
• Discounted annual membership for New Hall Sport Club

New Hall School offers an exceptional working environment. The main campus occupies the stunning Grade I listed former Tudor palace of Beaulieu. The School’s conference and events venue is at the Grade I listed Boreham House, one mile away. New Hall is a warm, welcoming, and supportive community, with a staff of around 300.

Beaulieu Park railway station is at the entrance to New Hall’s Avenue: 30 minutes to Stratford and 38 minutes to London Liverpool Street. The Elizabeth Line at Shenfield (13 minutes by train) terminates at Heathrow airport. There are nearby airports: London Stansted, London Southend and London City.

All adults employed by the New Hall School have a responsibility for data protection and have a duty to observe and follow the principles of the GDPR Regulations. All applicants must be able to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK prior to commencement of employment. As part of our need to comply with UK immigration rules, you will be required to provide Home Office stipulated documentation prior to interview.

As well as verification of identity, we ask all successful candidates to undertake an enhanced DBS disclosure. In line with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE) guidance, we may also conduct an online search about any shortlisted candidates as part of our due diligence to identify any matters that might relate directly to our legal duty to meet safeguarding duties, in accordance with Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE). New Hall School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

SAFEGUARDING AND FURTHER INFORMATION

Due to the nature of this role, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. In making your application, it is essential you disclose whether you have any pending charges, convictions, bind-overs or cautions and, if so, for which offences. This post will be exempt from the provisions of Section 4 (2) of the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Therefore, applicants are not entitled to withhold information about convictions which for other purposes are ‘spent’ under the provision of the Act, and, in the event of the employment being taken up; any failure to disclose such convictions will result in dismissal or disciplinary action. The fact that a pending charge, conviction, bind-over or caution has been recorded against you will not necessarily debar you from consideration for this appointment.