Head of Boarding

Support students in developing increasing independence, responsibility and practical life skills.

Ensure boarding routines support healthy habits around sleep, study, organisation and wellbeing.

Promote meaningful opportunities for student voice and leadership.

Create a Positive Boarding Community

The Head of Boarding will help ensure that students enjoy living at EF Academy Oxford as well as studying here.

This Will Include:

• supporting a varied programme of evening and weekend activities;
• contributing to the School's House system and wider student life;
• supporting celebrations, cultural events, trips and community activities;
• creating opportunities for informal interaction between students and boarding staff;
• encouraging students to participate, try new things and contribute to the life of the School;
• ensuring communal spaces are welcoming and used positively.
  
  

Snack Night and activities in the student kitchen are examples of the informal community experiences our students value. We are also keen for colleagues to bring their own interests, skills and ideas to residential life.

• Oversee Boarding Operations and Front of House
  
  

The Head of Boarding is responsible for ensuring that boarding operates smoothly, safely and efficiently.

This Includes Oversight Of:

• the day-to-day operation of the boarding houses;
• boarding rotas, staffing and cover;
• student room allocations and room changes;
• arrivals, departures and student travel arrangements;
• airport transfers and related administration;
• boarding induction and onboarding;
• accurate student whereabouts records ;
• boarding-related Front of House and visitor arrangements;
• Welcome Days and other significant arrival, departure and School events.
  
  

The Head of Boarding will also have oversight of the residential environment and boarding premises. ensuring that issues are identified, prioritised, communicated and followed through appropriately.

This Will Include:

• maintaining a good understanding of the condition and day-to-day requirements of the boarding accommodation;
• carrying out or coordinating appropriate checks of residential areas;
• identifying maintenance, security or health and safety concerns;
• working closely with the Facilities team to ensure issues are resolved appropriately and in a timely manner;
• monitoring standards across bedrooms, communal areas and the wider residential environment;
• ensuring appropriate records, actions and follow-up are maintained where required.
  
  

The Head of Boarding will ensure appropriate cover is maintained when House Parents are unavailable due to sickness, off-site duties or other operational circumstances. This includes providing contingency cover for the boarding duty phone personally when required, which may occasionally extend overnight.

The postholder should continually look for ways to make boarding systems simpler, safer, more efficient and more student focused.

• Communicate and Contribute Across the School
  
  

For many of our families, their child may be living thousands of miles from home. Clear, sensitive and proactive communication is therefore an important part of the role.

The Head Of Boarding Will:

• maintain strong communication with parents and families regarding significant residential and pastoral matters;
• ensure boarding colleagues communicate professionally and consistently with families;
• act as the main boarding contact for more complex or escalated concerns;
• work closely with Pathway Managers, academic colleagues and other pastoral staff;

work collaboratively with Admissions and Enrolment teams to support prospective and incoming students;

contribute to campus visits, Welcome Days, Open Days and other School events;

maintain effective relationships with Facilities, Catering and other operational teams;

contribute boarding, pastoral and operational expertise to relevant School projects and improvement priorities.

As part of a small school community, the Head of Boarding will have opportunities to contribute to areas beyond the immediate boarding remit and broaden their leadership experience.

• Compliance, Health & Safety and Quality
  
  

The Head Of Boarding Will:

• Ensure boarding operates in accordance with relevant safeguarding, health and safety, residential and School requirements.
• Maintain a good working understanding of the regulatory requirements that apply to boarding and residential provision.
• Contribute actively to the School's wider health and safety arrangements as they relate to boarding and residential accommodation.
• Ensure appropriate risk assessments are in place, current and acted upon.
• Maintain and review relevant boarding policies, procedures and records, working with appropriate colleagues across the School.
• Contribute to the review and implementation of safeguarding, health and safety and operational policies where these relate to boarding.
• Ensure boarding staff understand and consistently follow School policies and procedures.
• Maintain effective arrangements for student whereabouts, security, emergencies and overnight supervision.
• Contribute confidently to inspection preparation, compliance reviews and evidence gathering.
• Ensure that identified compliance or safety actions are followed through to completion.
• Monitor incidents and patterns to identify emerging concerns or areas for improvement.