The Purcell School for young musicians

Assistant Houseparent (Residential, Non Teaching)

To be based in a Senior House

Permanent, Full Time Position to start on 1st September 2026

The Purcell School, Aldenham Road, Bushey, Hertfordshire, WD23 2TS 01923 331100info@purcl-school.org www.purcell-school.org

INTRODUCTION

Celebrated throughout the world as a centre of musical excellence, The Purcell School is the most vibrant, exciting and exhilarating place to work or study. We are a close-knit community dedicated to nurturing some of the world’s most talented young musicians and we recognize the unique privilege it is to work with these incredibly gifted students.

Our students are the liveliest, most committed and self-motivated young people you could hope to meet. Every day, the School’s corridors echo with the sound of extraordinary music as our students prepare for one of the 150 concerts we present every year, both here at School and in the most prestigious venues in London.

It is a working environment quite unlike anywhere else! We want our students to be challenged and inspired by every aspect of their experience here, and we support and encourage staff to achieve this. Academic classes are small, behaviour is excellent and the opportunities for innovative and creative teaching practice are limitless.

If you are committed to providing an outstanding student experience and prepared to play a full part in the life of this extraordinary place, The Purcell School off ers you the opportunity to join an exceptional team, serving truly exceptional students in a totally unique environment. I very much hope you will consider making an application to join us.

Kind regards,

Paul Bambrough Principal

ROLE DESCRIPTION

Residential Assistant Houseparent

Boarding is central to life at the Purcell School. Assistant Houseparents play a vital role in the wellbeing of our students, taking full responsibility for their welfare during term time and acting as role models for students and colleagues alike across the School.

You will be managing the day-to-day care of boarders ensuring their wellbeing and safety, promoting a fulfilling educational experience and encouraging a caring, positive and productive ethos in the House.

You will be living within the boarding community and will provide visible and inspiring leadership within your House. You should have the ability to develop and maintain warm, respectful and valued rapport with young people, whilst understanding the professional boundaries that must exist between staff and students. You should provide a positive role model, demonstrating self-motivation and mature interpersonal skills.

You will need the ability to negotiate and manage complex events in a professional, eff ective manner and an understanding of community partnerships and organisation. Imagination, creativity, enthusiasm and a warm sense of humour are all essential!

You will need eff ective communication skills (oral and written) and the ability to deal with students, parents and staff across the whole School. We expect you to maintain high personal and professional standards, including recognition of the confidentiality issues impacting upon work in a school.

You must be able to demonstrate an awareness of safeguarding and child protection legislation and issues, and will be expected to uphold a full commitment to the best safeguarding practice. You will be committed to professional growth and development, especially in the area of safeguarding and student wellbeing.

You will need a flexible approach to your duties, overnight and weekend working will be required and a willingness to ‘muck in’ is essential. There is an expectation that Assistant Houseparents take full ownership of their House with the support of the Houseparent, ensuring that students have an outstanding boarding experience in every regard, advocating for them when necessary and proactively supporting them however they might need. You will be supported to achieve this by other members of your House team (the make-up and number of which vary according to the House size and requirements).

Boarding is provided across three Houses: a Junior House (Years 7-9, mixed); a Senior Girls’ House (Years 9 and above) and a large mixed House (Years 10 and above). This position is for one of the Senior Houses.

If you genuinely enjoy the company of young people and are passionate about making a significant diff erence to their lives, this could be the perfect job for you. You need to be prepared to put the students first during term time and thrive on developing and maintaining a House culture which supports the School’s aims and each individual in your care. If this sounds like you, we would be delighted to hear from you.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This is a full-time post across a 34 week academic year. Assistant Houseparents are entitled to a protected 24 hour period off each week, regular Exeat weekends and holidays, but can expect to be present and available at all other times. The salary will be based on the School’s salary scale, according to the successful candidate’s experience, with a contributory pension scheme.

The post holder is required to live on site. Subject to applicable HMRC rules, accommodation is provided free of rent, council tax and all utilities and is provided for the period of the contract. Meals are available and free of charge in the School dining hall during term time.

There is a sixth month probationary period, with notice of one term on either side, after which the post will be confirmed, with a notice period of two terms. 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 to the Principal as soon as possible. Please do not send a separate curriculum vitae.

Personal statements should outline your experience and evidence your achievements. If you have a specific area of specialism or industry experience, please demonstrate how this enables you to contribute to an outstanding student experience.

Interviews will explore pastoral experience, the ability to relate appropriately to students and a willingness to contribute to the whole School community. Candidates will be required to bring evidence of identity and qualifications to the interview.

Deadline for applications: 5pm on Friday 1st May 2026

Start date: 1st September 2026

Applications should be made to the Principal, sent by email to recruitment@purcell-school.org or by letter to: Recruitment, The Purcell School, Aldenham Road, Bushey, Hertfordshire, WD23 2TS.

CHILD PROTECTION

people and expects allstaff to share this commitment. All applicants should read the School's Child Protection policy, which is available on our website, and are required to declare any criminal convictions or cautions, or disciplinary proceedings related to young people, Applicants must be wiling to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including records checked and processed through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

recruitment.

The Purcell School, Aldenham Road, Bushey, Hertfordshire, WD23 2TS 01923 331100 info@purcell-school.org www.purcell-school.org

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: Assistant Houseparent

REPORTS TO: The Houseparent and Director of Boarding

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

FOR THE ROLE:

● To provide the day-to-day care of boarders in their charge and to safeguard their welfare.

● To be aware of and comply with current health and safety, safeguarding and child protection legislation and procedures, and to uphold the School’s policy on child protection.

To ensure that daily registration is carried out eff ectively and according to School policy.

● To attend to administrative duties as required in the day-to-day running of the boarding house, such as answering e-mails and queries from parents, dealing with phone-calls, and the basic management of the house.

● To encourage every student in their House to develop to their full potential, academically, musically and socially, and to promote their personal development, including leadership, consideration for others and courtesy.

● To help ensure that boarding staff , parents and students understand the aims and objectives of boarding in the House and the principles on which community life in the House is based.

● To help maintain good order and ensure a high standard of discipline within their House, according to the School’s behaviour policy.

● To consult with appropriate staff , tutors, parents and guardians over issues involving students in their House so that their diverse learning, social and emotional needs are met.

● To help maintain all records as required including students’ individual files and to write the requisite pastoral and other reports as appropriate.

● To help manage the staff ing, organisation and resources of the House eff iciently, ensuring that appropriate adult supervision is provided at all times when students are in residence.

● To ensure compliance within the House of the requirements of all current legislation (including the National Minimum Boarding Standards and Independent School Regulations) and all School policies.

● To support the smooth running of the House by being a proactive presence in the House throughout each week, and via the duty rota. Up to three nights overnight “on call” will be required per week.

To provide cover where needed within the boarding duties in any of the boarding houses.

● To undertake housekeeping duties during the day such as checking rooms, reporting maintenance issues and working with the domestic team to ensure cleanliness throughout the house.

● 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 House.

To participate in School Inset day meetings.

● To contribute to the School’s extra-curricular programme in the evenings and at weekends.

● To assist occasionally at whole School events such as Open Day and Summer Fair

● To assist with emergency situations outside of duty hours if necessary.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Experience and Knowledge:

Experience of working within a residential setting essential, preferably as an Assistant Houseparent or Resident Graduate(desirable)

Experience of working in an educational setting (desirable)

A strong track record of providing pastoral care to young people and successfullysupportig their verall wellbeing with gdunderstanding of Mental Health issues affecting young people.

Knowledge and understanding of the concepts and skill esential for student welleing and personal development

Ability and Skills:

Good listening skils with the ability to deal with ssues in a sensitive, sympathetic and diplomatic manner

The ability to engage with young people and develop positive and meaningful working relationships

The ability to establish a safe, positive and purposeful orking atmosphere in which students feel secure nd confidentin heirHouses

The ability to work as a proactive member of a team

The ability to work independently, take initiative and solve problems

Excellent planning and organisation skills with the ability to handle competing demands on your time

Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with students, parents and colleagues

Strong IT skills with experience using databases (experience of SIMs is desirable)

A willingness to drive the School minibus - training can be provided (desirable)

Personal Attributes:

To have an interest in music and asisting oung people to achieve their potentil li is not essential to be a practising musician)

Flexibility and willigness to be involved in and committed t the ethos of a seven-day-a-week Boarding School, includingorganising and supporting extra-curricular activities

An ability to inspire students of al levels and abilities and e committed to their uccess in all reas of chool life

Enthusiasm, energy and imagination with an open mindset and desire to effect change

Calm and confident with a personal warmth to be able to connect with students in a meaningful and compassonate way