House Parent / Head Of House
Role Overview
This role is responsible for overseeing the boarding facilities, developing routines for daily boarding life, ensuring the well-being and development of students, and fostering a homely and supportive environment.
Responsibilities:
Leadership and Management:
i. Oversee the boarding programme, ensuring a high standard of care. Provide leadership and direction to boarding staff, fostering a team environment.
ii. Strategic Planning: Develop and implement a strategic plan for the boarding department that aligns with the school’s overall objectives.
iii. Staff Supervision: Recruit, train, and mentor boarding staff, including house parents and support staff, ensuring they are equipped to provide exceptional care.
iv. Performance Evaluation: Regularly assess the performance of boarding staff, providing feedback and professional development opportunities.
v. Effective Communication: Ensure students, parents and staff across the school are up to date with ongoing events and developments.
Student Welfare:
i. Prioritize the physical, emotional, and social well-being of boarding students. Implement policies and practices that support students’ health, happiness, and academic success.
ii. Individualised Care: Monitor and support the individual needs of each boarding student, including academic, social, and emotional aspects.
iii. Guidance and Support: Serve as a mentor and role model to students, offering guidance in their personal development and academic pursuits.
iv. Health and Wellbeing: Coordinate with the school nurse and counsellors to ensure the health and wellbeing of students are adequately monitored and supported.
v. Run an effective and detailed induction programme for all new students entering boarding, including the operation of a buddy system.
Parental Engagement:
i. Maintain regular communication with parents/guardians, providing updates on their children’s boarding experience and addressing any concerns.
ii. Regular Updates: Provide regular updates to parents on their child’s progress, including academic achievements and participation in boarding activities.
iii. Parent Meetings: Organize and conduct meetings with parents to discuss their child’s overall experience and address any concerns.
Safety and Compliance:
i. Ensure the boarding facilities comply with safety regulations and standards. Develop and implement risk management strategies.
ii. Facility Management: Oversee the maintenance and upkeep of the boarding facilities, ensuring they are safe, clean, and conducive to living and learning.
iii. Policy Development: Develop and enforce boarding policies and procedures that comply with legal and educational standards.
Programme Development:
i. Innovate and develop boarding programmes that enhance students’ living and learning experiences. Coordinate activities and events that promote social interaction and personal growth.
ii. Extracurricular Activities: Plan and implement extracurricular activities and programmes that enhance the boarding experience and encourage personal growth.
iii. Cultural Sensitivity: Promote a culturally sensitive environment that respects the diversity of the student body.
Pastoral Care:
i. Provide pastoral support to students, offering guidance and counsel. Foster a culture of respect, inclusiveness, and community.
ii. Conflict Resolution: Manage and mediate conflicts among students, ensuring a harmonious living environment.
iii. Emotional Support: Provide emotional support and counselling to students as needed, referring to professional services when necessary.
Administrative Duties:
i. Manage the boarding budget, oversee admissions for boarding students, and maintain accurate records.
ii. Record Keeping: Maintain comprehensive records of boarding students, including health records, academic progress, and disciplinary actions.
iii. Ensure that all boarding documentation, such as Handbooks for staff, parents and students is up to date and shared in a timely manner.
iv. Operate and further develop administrative systems across the house to ensure a cohesive, effective and efficient administration of all boarding matters.
Qualification, Skills and Knowledge:
• Qualified graduate teacher.
• Master’s degree.
• Proven experience in a boarding school environment, with a minimum of 3 years in a leadership role.
• Strong understanding of child development and the specific needs of primary and secondary students.
Skills & Competencies
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in using office software (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite).
• Detail-oriented and highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and prioritize workload effectively.
• Professional appearance and demeanour.
• Ability to work collaboratively with staff, students, and parents.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills.
Personal Traits:
• Charismatic, empathetic, and a good listener.
• Leadership qualities with the ability to inspire and motivate others.
• Innovative thinker with a passion for creating a vibrant boarding community.
• Resilient and adaptable to changing circumstances.
• Problem-solving skills and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Discretion and the ability to handle sensitive information confidentially.
• Team player with a positive attitude.
• Commitment to upholding the values and ethos of Charterhouse Lagos.
Download the Recruitment Pack at the bottom of the page to read the full Job Description.
Safeguarding
Charterhouse Lagos is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our students and expects all applicants to share this commitment. We follow safer recruitment practices which are aligned with recommendations from the International Task Force on Child Protection. We aspire to the highest international standards of recruiting practices with specific attention to child protection. All appointments are subject to interviews, identity checks, criminal record checks, social media checks and successful references.
Data Protection
The personal data relating to candidates, including personal data provided in, or along with the enquiry and application forms, is required to be collected by Charterhouse Lagos/The Huntington Education Group, for purposes of candidate evaluation, and facilitating the recruitment process. By providing us with your personal data, you give your consent to us for collecting, retaining, processing, transferring (including cross-border transfer) and disclosing personal data to any third parties (including intra-group) for achieving the above purpose.
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion
At Charterhouse Lagos, we want everyone to feel valued, appreciated, and free to be who they are at work, whilst remaining true to the culture and laws of Nigeria. Our recruitment processes are designed to prevent discrimination regardless of gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, or any other aspect which makes them unique.
Click here to read our Safeguarding Policy.