Resident Graduate Assistants

PURCELL SCHOOL; Bushey; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 21,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Bushey is seeking Resident Graduate Assistants to support young musicians. The role includes caring for boarders, organizing recreational activities, and ensuring student well-being. Ideal for recent graduates from any discipline, especially those interested in music or pastoral care. This full-time position starts on 1st September 2026 and includes free accommodation and meals during term time.

Benefits

Free accommodation

Meals during term time

Extensive training provided

Qualifications

• Recent graduates from any discipline are welcome to apply.
• Experience or interest in music or performance is a plus.
• Willingness to live on site and engage with students.

Responsibilities

• Support Houseparents with day-to-day care of boarders.
• Lead and facilitate recreational activities for boarders.
• Ensure the safety, happiness, and health of students.

Skills

Caring

People-focused

Ability to lead recreational activities

Job description

Resident Graduate Assistants (RGA)

We are seeking Resident Graduate Assistants to join us from 1st September 2026.

This is an exceptional opportunity for a recent graduate of any discipline to gain valuable experience supporting and looking after some of the country’s most gifted young musicians.

This role would be the perfect first job for a graduate considering a career in teaching, pastoral care or working with young people in any other context. Extensive training will be given in all aspects of safeguarding as well as around boarding and mental health first aid.

We welcome applicants from any background (especially music and performance related disciplines) and will facilitate opportunities to gain experience working in a relevant curriculum area, if this is desired. For example, recent music RGAs have joined ensembles and choirs, assisted music teachers and have even led major performances and projects in their spare time; sports graduates have led a full and varied range of recreational sports activities.

We want our boarders to enjoy living here and we strive to provide outstanding pastoral care and support. Each of our three boarding houses is supervised by at least two residential staff.

The successful candidate will support Houseparents with the day‑to‑day care of our boarders, overnight cover and will respond positively to the needs and interests of our students. They will play a significant part in ensuring that our young musicians are safe, happy and healthy and will be able to lead and facilitate a range of recreational activities for boarders.

If you are caring, people-focused, enjoy the company of young people and think you would enjoy a busy residential lifestyle, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Terms and Conditions

Full‑time position during term time. This is a fixed‑term, one‑year contract with the possibility of extension by a year if both parties agree.

Start date: 1st September 2026

The salary is £16,920 PA (£20,395 FTE).

The post holder is required to live on site. Single accommodation is provided in a boarding house every day of the contract period. Accommodation (which may be shared) is provided free of rent, council tax and all utilities. Meals are available and are free of charge in the School dining room during term time.

There is a sixth‑month probationary period, with notice of 4 weeks on either side, after which the post will be confirmed, with a notice period of one term. This post is subject to regular appraisal.

How to Apply

If you wish to apply, please complete the School’s Application Form (available on our website) and send it with a supporting Personal Statement. Please do not send a separate Curriculum Vitae.

Personal statements should outline your experience, subject knowledge and evidence of your achievements. The Personal Statement is your opportunity to tell us how your skills and experience can contribute to an outstanding student experience.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview in the Spring or Summer term. Candidates will be required to bring evidence of identity and right to work in the UK.

Please submit your application by email via the button below as soon as possible. Applications will be considered on receipt so candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Job Specification

The Purcell School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Job Title: Resident Graduate Assistants

All members of staff are ultimately answerable to the Principal. Your line manager will be a Houseparent.

This job specification sets out the duties of the post at the time of drafting. Specific responsibilities are as follows:

• To supervise, support and care for members of a designated boarding house and provide pastoral care to all students of the School as required.
• To organise, supervise and promote a range of social and recreational activities in the evenings and at weekends.
• To follow Health and Safety guidelines at all times and to undertake Risk Assessments as required.
• To assist Houseparents with the day‑to‑day care of boarders.
• To support the smooth-running of the boarding house by contributing to the duty rota. Up to three nights overnight “on call” will be required per week.
• To be in residence for 48 hours prior to and after the end of each term to assist with the preparation and closing of the boarding house.
• To participate in school inset meetings.
• To contribute to the School’s extra‑curricular and/or boarding provision.
• To assist occasionally at whole‑school events.