Student Director

Summer Boarding Courses; Oxford; On-site; GBP 125,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A summer school provider in Oxford is seeking a Student Director to ensure smooth operations and high-quality program delivery. This role involves overseeing student supervision, managing activities, and ensuring a positive atmosphere. Ideal candidates will possess strong leadership skills, effective communication, and the ability to foster an inclusive environment for students. This position offers a unique opportunity to impact the student experience in a vibrant and dynamic summer school setting with a focus on safety and engagement.

Benefits

Accommodation included

Full cost of a new DBS

CPD and Appraisals

Staff Wellbeing Initiative

Access to Employee Assist Programme

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and organisational skills to manage a dynamic environment.
• Ability to communicate effectively with young people.
• Experience in organising excursions or events.

Responsibilities

• Oversee daily operations ensuring high standards of engagement.
• Manage student supervision during activities and meals.
• Provide leadership during excursions and events.

Skills

Leadership skills

Organisational skills

Effective communication

Empathy

Flexibility

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Overview

The Student Director ensures the smooth operation of daily routines while supporting high standards of programme delivery and pastoral care. Key responsibilities include overseeing student supervision, assisting with programme logistics, and leading staff to foster a vibrant, positive Summer School atmosphere. The role also involves managing excursions, supporting the delivery of activities, and maintaining high standards of student behaviour. Strong leadership, organisational skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with young people are essential to excel in this dynamic, fast‑paced role.

Site: North Oxford – located within walking distance of the city centre. Camp Dragon offers spacious grounds and modern facilities in a warm, homely community.

This summer we will welcome over 100 children aged 8‑12 from across the globe for a truly unique programme. Designed by language‑learning experts and play specialists, Camp Dragon blends interactive lessons, creative workshops and unforgettable activities with big events and the fun of camp life.

Our values – Safe, Brave, Curious – are at the heart of everything we do. Staff play a huge role in making this vision a reality: supporting students as they try new things, grow in confidence, and create lasting memories in a playful, international environment.

Support & Benefits

• Full cost of a new DBS (if required) for your first contract with SBC.
• Accommodation included.
• CPD and Appraisals.
• Staff Wellbeing Initiative.
• Access to Employee Assist Programme (EAP).
• Continual support from the Head Office Team, both on the ground and via phone/email.
• Online safeguarding and prevention training.
• Professional, fun and supportive environment.

Additional Role Specific Support

• Paid attendance to pre‑course Management Training.

Working Hours & Remuneration

A normal working week for the Office Coordinator will consist of up to 70 hours per week over six working days. All staff will receive one full day off per week.

Remuneration: The salary for the Office Coordinator role is £955 per week (subject to tax and national insurance), paid weekly in arrears. This sum includes a holiday allowance (12.07% of basic pay, £102.85).

Programme & Daily Routine

• Oversee the smooth operation of the daily routine, ensuring high levels of staff engagement and supervision, particularly during break and mealtimes.
• Communicate effectively with the school management team to coordinate daily logistics.
• Address students during key moments such as meals, activities, and events.
• Take a lead role on arrival and departure days, ensuring smooth delivery of welcome and departure experiences.
• Provide cover for the Activity and Event Managers in the coordination and delivery of the Social Programme activities and events.
• Attend excursions and off‑site activities, taking the role of Excursion Leader when necessary.

Student Welfare

• Promote and embody high standards of behaviour and engagement for students.
• Foster a positive summer school atmosphere, supporting staff to manage students with empathy and professionalism, addressing individual needs effectively, and encouraging student feedback to continuously improve the environment and experience.
• Work closely with the Welfare Manager, providing cover during their time off and ensuring the highest standards of pastoral care.
• Act as an onsite First Aider after completing the Induction Week First Aid Course.
• Be available for emergency on‑call or overnight duty up to six times per week.

Team Leadership & Support

• Attend relevant staff and House Parent meetings to discuss operations and student welfare.
• Coordinate staff to ensure comprehensive supervision and engagement.
• Foster positive working relationships with the host school staff.

Safety and Compliance

• Conduct Site Risk Assessments and ensure safety controls are communicated to staff.
• Regularly inspect meal and breaktime areas to ensure cleanliness, maintenance, and safety.
• Provide support during setup to ensure the site is presentable and ready for student arrivals.
• Assist in implementing and conducting regular evacuation drills with the Course Leader.
• Collaborate with the Management Team, attending meetings and maintaining open and proactive communication.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with students, staff, parents, agents, site hosts, and external stakeholders.
• Work with SBC Head Office to complete necessary paperwork and share updates.
• Implement Health and Safety procedures, ensuring incidents are reported and risk assessments are followed.
• Keep staff informed of student welfare needs and maintain required welfare records.
• Ensure staff and students understand emergency and fire evacuation procedures.
• Securely manage summer camp data, following GDPR and confidentiality policies.

Student Experience

• Encourage student engagement in the programme, promoting communication, confidence, and social skills.
• Promote a culture of equality, respect, and diversity, ensuring students adhere to the Student Code of Conduct and assisting staff in managing behaviour.
• Encourage student feedback and promptly address concerns or complaints.
• Contribute to hosting arrival and departure days, ensuring a welcoming and professional experience for students and parents.
• Support the safe delivery of the programme, covering sessions, attending off‑site activities and supporting breaks, meals, and welfare duties where needed.

Safeguarding Duties

• Be committed to the safeguarding and welfare of students in your care.
• Complete online safeguarding training and attend on‑site safeguarding training during induction week.
• Read and understand SBC's Safeguarding Policy, Staff Handbook, Operations Policy Handbook and Part 1 of Keeping Children Safe in Education (including annexes A & B).
• Be alert to the signs of abuse and neglect, and report any concerns to the DSO immediately (including low level concerns).
• Know what to do if a student tells a staff member they are being abused, exploited or neglected.
• Help students understand how to keep themselves safe and manage risk; earn their trust while maintaining professional boundaries.

Referees, Checks and Identification

• Provide details of two recent and relevant referees who will be contacted and asked about your suitability to work with children.
• Undergo a Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) (or equivalent if you live or have lived outside the UK).
• State that you have no known reason preventing you from working with children.
• Provide official identification and certificates for our records.

Key Staff Qualities

• Approachable & empathic to the needs of students.
• Enthusiastic & engaging.
• Diplomatic, responsible & motivated.
• Flexible within the summer school environment.

Experience Required

• Meticulous organisational skills.
• Strong communication skills; able to work under pressure and be flexible.
• Experience of organising excursions, events or other logistical operations.
• Proven strong administrative skills; good knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Experience working in a visitor/customer‑facing role.

Desirable Experience

• Previous residential summer school experience, ideally with international students.
• Experience of working within the education sector.
• Experience using MS Teams as a communication tool.
• Experience using Mail Merge and basic accounting administration tools.

About Summer Boarding Courses (SBC)

Founded in 2008, Summer Boarding Courses unite students from around the world through education. We deliver award‑winning, future‑focused courses that strike the perfect balance between academic and social enrichment. Our residential summer courses take place at some of the UK's top boarding schools and university college campuses, including Eton College, Oxford University Colleges and Headington School. We carefully select our campuses to ensure the perfect environment for our students to live and study. Over 15,800 students from 152 nationalities have been welcomed to study with us to date.

Our courses unlock potential and ignite a spark for long‑term success. The knowledge gained on an SBC course allows students to go forward and apply what they have learnt to other areas of their education and beyond, giving them the necessary skills to achieve their future goals.

SBC has been ranked Number 1 by the British Council from 2018 to 2023 and is the only multi‑campus summer school provider in the UK to have achieved a perfect 15/15 areas of strength. We are proud of this achievement and will continue to grow and develop our courses to offer students extraordinary experiences.