Gap Year Assistant
Candidate
Information Pack
Required for
immediate start

Closing date for applications:

Sunday 25 January 2026

Employee Benefits

At Durston House we offer a range of benefits, which include:

Generous pay
scales

Training and
Development
Opportunities

A contributory
pension scheme

Remission of
fees for children
of staff

 Free daily hot/cold
lunches, tea, coffee
and biscuits during
term time

Generous
holiday
entitlement

 Employee
Assistance
Programme

‘Values of kindness,
respect and independence
shine through.’

—Good Schools Guide Review 2024

Key Facts about Durston House

•  Girls & Boys aged 3 - 13

•  315 Pupils

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Located in Ealing, West London

•  Day School with Breakfast Club & After-School Care Provision

•  15 pupils - Average Class Size

•  6.75 acres of Playing Fields

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Less than 10 miles from Central London

•  7 TFL bus routes across neighbouring boroughs

Welcome to Durston House School

Durston House is a leading London prep school for girls and boys aged 3 –
13, located in Ealing, West London. An education at Durston House is based
upon academic rigour through excellent teaching, encouraging pupils to
explore, question, take risks, and develop their creativity, communication and
teamwork – all central to successful life-long learning. At Durston we have a
fine record of preparing pupils for top Senior Schools in London and beyond.
We take pride in the true and visible diversity of our community and embrace
pupils and staff from all ethnic, cultural and religious backgrounds.

Durston House places an emphasis on high standards of work and targets that are
commensurate with each pupil’s personal development. We believe that it is hugely
important to create an educational environment that encourages all pupils to be curious
and enthusiastic about their opportunities to learn and grow. We place our pupils at the
centre of everything we do, making sure that every opportunity is taken to enable each
pupil to flourish.

Lessons are delivered in a range of ways, taking account of different learning styles and
preferences, and the certainty that pupils should explore and experience practically, not
just from a textbook. Workshops, Outings, Trips and outdoor adventures complement the
classroom experience across all year groups. Throughout the school there is an After-School
Activities Programme, offering a wide range of activities from chess, coding, skateboarding,
photography and many more! After-School Activities at Durston House aim to inspire,
enthuse and develop curiosity in pupils.

Mr Giles Entwisle, Headmaster

The School

Founded in 1886, the school has a proud and long history of achievement in
partnership with parents and the local community. The school encourages pupils
to be active participants in their learning and lives; to revel in success; to celebrate
effort; to expect challenge; to take calculated risks and to develop independence.

Pupils thrive in an environment of support, academic challenge and high
expectations. Our ability to develop exceptional people cannot be separated from
our rich history.

“A school where they chant their Latin verbs, can plot countries and
can hold a conversation with an adult knowing what’s going on in the
world, “ summed up by one happy mum.

—Good Schools Guide Review 2024

Durston House School employs over ninety full-time and part-time staff in both teaching
and support roles. The school offers a dynamic and inspiring environment for any teaching
professional. In addition, the diversity of support roles available provides a wealth of
opportunities for a whole range of specialists and professions – from Administration, Finance and
IT,  to Buildings and Grounds Maintenance.

As a member of staff, you will be encouraged to develop your skills and experience
through our professional development programme. You will be part of a friendly
and welcoming school community.

The Role

Durston House is seeking to appoint a reliable, enthusiastic and caring individual to join
the school as a Gap Year Assistant for the remainder of the academic year (July 2026).

They work term-time and the hours of work are 8:00am - 5:00pm. The Head of Pre-Prep
oversees the immediate day-to-day work of the Gap Year Assistant.

This role is not a traditional sports-led gap year position. Instead, it is a pupil-facing
support role primarily based within EYFS, Pre-Prep and Junior School, providing day-to-
day support for younger children and covering key responsibilities as below.

The Gap Year Assistant supports and promotes the policies and procedures held in the
Staff Handbook, including the Durston House Safeguarding Policy and other policies that
promote the welfare and care of pupils. They comply with the school’s Data Protection
Policy – Implementation by School and Staff, as well as its Privacy Notice, contained and
referenced in the Staff Handbook.

Attend staff meetings and other

•
         meetings, within or outside normal school hours,
         according to the Meetings Schedule and as required by
         Senior Management
Attend major school events, such as the Carol
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          Service and School Concert, outside normal school
          hours
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         Staff and the Meetings Schedule.

Attend all Staff Study Days, according to Term dates for

Responsibilities

Duties as a Gap Year Assistant

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Assist the Head of Pre-Prep with pupil supervision,
welfare and daily routines
Assist with administration tasks in Pre-Prep and Junior
School Offices
Support pupils in lessons and assist in classroom
activities from Pre-School to Year 4
Assist teachers with practical tasks in preparation
for lessons, in the maintenance of resources and
classrooms
Undertake break and supervisory duties, as directed by
the Deputy Head
Cover for absent colleagues, as directed by the Deputy

•
         Head
•
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Undertake First Aid Training
Administer First Aid to pupils, staff and visitors, within
the competencies of the certification held
Attend school Outings and Trips (Residential) as
required by Senior Management
Assist the Maintenance Department, as directed by the

•
          Deputy Head

Other General School Duties

Accept responsibility for the welfare and care of all

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          pupils at the school, at any time
Be a member of a House, supporting its pupils and
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          assisting in one of its constituent  Vertical Groups

The Gap Year Assistant is:

•  Mature
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Trustworthy
Honest
Discreet
Punctual
Enthusiatic
Energetic
Proactive
Keen to use initiative
A team player

Personal Attributes

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 A calm, easy-going manner
 Clear, oral and written communication skills
 A neat, professional appearance
 Good organisation, with an ability to prioritise
  ICT skills
 Ability to adapt to the varied tasks of school life

Working Time Beyond Agreed Hours

The Gap Year Assistant is sometimes required to attend
meetings, Staff Study Days, major school events, or
accompany Outings or Trips which may occur outside their
agreed working hours. For some of these, overtime is paid
for the extra hours worked.

The Gap Year Assistant is paid overtime for work beyond
normal hours, at the following times:
•
•
•
•
•
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Normal school days
Staff Study Days
Outings and Trips
Informal Parents Evenings/Garden Parties
Extraordinary Staff Meetings, or events, as
required by the Headmaster
School Productions (where appropriate)

To claim overtime, he/she completes a timesheet and has it
authorised by the Head of Pre-Prep.

The Gap Year Assistant is required to attend, sometimes
beyond normal hours, and is paid overtime ONLY if he/she is
working, at the following:
School Concert
•
Carol Service
•
Prize Day
•

The Gap Year Assistant is not required to attend and is not
paid overtime for attendance beyond normal hours, at the
following:
•
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Other School Productions
Staff social events

Person Specification

Person Specificatio

How to Apply

Durston House will only accept applications from candidates completing
the relevant Application Form in full. CVs will not be accepted in
substitution for completed Application Forms.

1.

 If you would like to apply for this role, please download the application form from the
school website.

2.

 Your application form should be completed and returned to recruitment@durstonhouse.org
by Sunday 25 January 2026.

We reserve the right to appoint before the closing date for an exceptional candidate.

Safeguarding Statement

Durston House is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of its pupils and expects its entire
staff to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be subject to child protection screening, including
checks with past employers and the Disclosure Barring Service. We will carry out online searches on shortlisted
candidates as part of our due diligence checks. This will include publicly available information on social media
and other online platforms.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

Durston House School is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We encourage applications
from a diverse range of suitably qualified candidates.

12-14 Castlebar Road
Ealing
W5 2DR

T: 020 8991 6530
E: recruitment@durstonhouse.org

Follow us! @durstonhouse

Registered Charity No. 294670.