Boarding Housemaster/Teacher/Sports Coach

Job Description

Job Title: Boarding Housemaster/Teacher/Sports Coach

Responsible to: The Headmaster and Bursar through the Head of Boarding and Head(s) of PE.

Hours of Work: Hours will not exceed an average of 40 hours per week over a 17-week period.

Salary: A competitive salary is offered commensurate with experience.

Accommodation: Free accommodation and food is available during term time.

[Employer hidden], Armagh is currently accepting applications for the position of Boarding Housemaster/Teacher/Sports Coach. This could be a teaching or non-teaching role. The primary aspect of the role is Housemaster, however, it could be coupled with an element of teaching and/or sports coaching, dependent upon the successful applicant’s experience and qualifications. The Housemaster will primarily assist the Head of Boarding in all aspects of running the Junior Boarding House to secure a high quality of pastoral care, effective use of resources and improved standards of learning and achievement for all pupils.

The Housemaster will get to know the boarding pupils to build up a relationship of trust with them and will be expected to give support and advice on their academic studies whilst taking a leading role in disciplinary matters if necessary. The Housemaster has an overview of the boy boarders in the Junior Boarding House and is expected to ensure that they organise their work and free time efficiently and, in conjunction with other academic staff, that they have a balanced curriculum. The Housemaster is expected to have, energy, good resilience, enthusiasm, flexibility and an understanding of boarding school life. The Housemaster will be encouraged to enter fully into the life of the school and to develop and share their talents and interests with regard to sports and/or other extracurricular activities. To assist them, they have a team of teaching staff, Matron(s) and a Housemistress. It is the Housemasters responsibility to deploy their team to ensure proper supervision and care, to motivate them and to check their effectiveness. In particular, the Housemaster should ensure that when they are off the premises, appropriate arrangements have been made to ensure a proper level of supervision and care.

Obligatory Duties include boarding supervision each afternoon and evening, on a rota basis, to ensure that good behaviour and discipline is maintained.

Accommodation within the Junior Boarding House will be provided and is available for use during term time and holiday times. This consists of a private one-bed flat located in the Junior Boarding house. No charge is made for the accommodation or food during the school term.

Job Purpose:

The post-holder is expected to share in all aspects of boarding life to secure high standards of pastoral care in all areas and ensure that practices improve the quality of care provided, meet the needs and aspirations of all pupils, and raise standards of achievement.

The Housemaster will be aware of the academic strengths and weaknesses of boarding pupils and will liaise with teaching staff to ensure that relevant background circumstances of pupils are known to ensure that the conditions and supervision in evening prep are conductive to effective academic progress. The Housemaster will be part of a boarding team that supports the academic and pastoral progress of the boarding pupils whilst they are away from home. They will be required to live in school accommodation during term-time. Whilst on duty the Housemaster assists with the control and routine organisations of the Boarding House in unison with other duty staff.

The successful candidates will have:

• A strong academic background;

• A commitment to the aims and ideals of boarding school life and demonstrate the ability to deliver excellent levels of pastoral care;

• Strong communication, leadership and presentation capability;

• Be educated to degree level or have a Sports Coaching qualification;

• If undertaking the teaching element of the role - a qualification which meets the requirements for recognition to teach in grant aided schools in Northern Ireland and be registered with the GTCNI by the commencement of the post;

• Ability to present and teach in an effective manner up to Key Sage 3 level or offer experience in other aspects of the school.

Boarding

1. To share in all aspects of boarding life.

2. To be responsible to the Head of Boarding for the safety, welfare and pastoral care of the boys in the Boarding House.

3. To ensure that all members of the boarding staff team are familiar with the school’s policies and procedures for safeguarding, counter bullying, substance misuse and health and safety, and are aware of the appropriate response needed in these areas.

4. To Supervise junior pupils during prep, including giving support as necessary.

5. To gain the respect and trust of all pupils, and in particular boarding pupils, and support them in their academic, co-curricular and extra-curricular activities.

6. To be responsible to the Head of Boarding for the safety, welfare and pastoral care of the boys in the Boarding House.

7. To ensure that all members of the boarding staff team are familiar with the school’s policies and procedures for safeguarding, counter bullying, substance misuse and health and safety, and are aware of the appropriate response needed in these areas.

8. To Supervise junior pupils during prep, including giving support as necessary.

9. To plan, implement and review structures of teaching staff supervision; to ensure the safety and security (including emotional) of all pupils at all times when they are in boarding (including meal times, weekends, and on expeditions and outings).

10. To ensure that adequate arrangements for ‘back up’ cover are made.

11. To ensure that a full and varied programme of extra-curricular and after prep activities are available.

12. To support the school’s disciplinary policy and, by encouragement and reward and by a clearly understood and fair system of sanctions, foster an acceptance of the code of conduct of the Boarding House and School.

13. Aim to achieve constructive working relationships with the boarding pupils.

14. To perform any other tasks which the Head Teacher, Bursar or Head of Boarding may reasonably assign.

Teaching & Learning (if relevant)

1. To manage pupil learning through effective teaching in accordance with the Department’s schemes of work and policies.

2. To ensure continuity, progression and cohesiveness in all teaching (including appropriate targeted differentiation planning for SEN pupils).

3. To use a variety of methods and approaches (including differentiation) to match curricular objectives and the range of pupil needs, and ensure equal opportunity for all pupils.

4. To set homework regularly, (in accordance with the School and Departmental homework policy), to consolidate and extend learning and to encourage pupils to take responsibility for their own learning.

5. To work with SEN staff and support staff (including prior discussion and joint planning) in order to benefit from their specialist knowledge and to maximise their effectiveness within lessons.

6. To work effectively as a member of the relevant Department team to improve the quality of teaching and learning.

7. To set high expectations for all pupils, to deepen their knowledge and understanding and to maximise their achievement.

8. To use positive management of behaviour in an environment of mutual respect which allows pupils to feel safe and secure and promotes their self-esteem.

Sports Coaching (if relevant)

1. To have previous knowledge and playing experience of rugby and/or hockey and performing at a high level.

2. Strong communication, leadership and presentation capability and demonstrable experience of promoting or developing rugby and/or hockey.

3. Positive and proactive approach to coaching rugby and/or hockey and have experience of successful involvement of coaching rugby and/or hockey.

4. Organise, coordinate and deliver programmes and events to promote rugby and/or hockey and recruit young players to the game(s).

5. Support the development of rugby and/or hockey in the school.

6. Plan and implement player development programmes through the school to increase player enjoyment and improve playing standards.

7. To secure optimal levels of sporting success on the field in line with established targets

8. Have a coaching qualification in rugby and/or hockey.

This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of responsibilities and duties. It is expected that the post-holder will participate in other reasonable activities which may be required to meet the needs of the school or for better fulfilment of the role.

Person Specification

Criteria Essential Desirable

Qualifications • A degree (or equivalent) • Hold a qualification which

OR meets the requirements for

• HNC or higher in Sports recognition to teach in grant

Coaching. aided schools in Northern

OR Ireland.

• Experience of working with • Post Graduate Certificate in

young people in a residential Education

environment. • Be registered with the

• OR GTCNI by the

• Nationally recognised commencement of the post.

boarding qualification • Ability to teach to KS3 Level

• Full UK driving licence • Offer experience in other

aspects of the school

• Sport or coaching

qualification

• A First Aid qualification

Knowledge • Current knowledge of • To be aware of the

approaches to promoting implications of the National

positive behaviour for Minimum Standards for

learning. Boarding School for the

• Show commitment to welfare and pastoral care of

boarding school life. boarding pupils

• Managerial and

• A commitment to safeguard

administrative experience

and promote the welfare of

commensurate with leading a

children in loco parentis.

team of Boarding staff.

• Knowledge of pastoral care

in a boarding school

• Knowledge in a similar role

of teaching, boarding or

sports coaching.

Skills • Evidence of leadership roles • Ability to lead and manage a

• Good and demonstrable team consisting of teachers

organisational skills and support staff

• Responsible attitude to work • A willingness to engage in

• Effective communication further professional

skills development

• Ability to show an • Enthusiastic approach

empathetic approach

• Able to define appropriate

boundaries

• Willingness to contribute to

wider school

• Excellent communication

skills with pupils, parents and

staff

• Able to prioritise and manage

time effectively

• Flexibility

Interpersonal skills • Ensure that all those

involved in rugby receive

support, challenge,

information and

development necessary to

sustain motivation and

secure improvement in the

sport.

• An ability to motivate,

enthuse and influence with

strong interpersonal skills.

• The ability to sustain

working for long hours

throughout term time.

• A good sense of humour.

• Experience of developing

positive relationships

children and young people

through sport and extra-

curricular involvement

• Establishes clear,

unambiguous goals.

• Remains calm and effectively

manages the situation/team

when faced with uncertain or

unambiguous situations.

• Demonstrates ‘growth mind-

set’; reflecting on practice,

seeking to improve and learn

from others as well as share

own knowledge.

• Generally, to have empathy

with young people.

• A professional manner and

appearance.