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THE SEDBERGH SCHOOL FOUNDATION
Senior School campus (Sedbergh)
Full-time
OPERATIONS DIRECTOR - ISS
JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: OPERATIONS DIRECTOR  - ISS

Responsible  to: Course Director

Main Purpose:
The Operations  Director, as a key member  of the ISS Senior Leadership  Team (SLT), will assume responsibility
for  the  smooth  day-to-day  management  of  ISS  and,  together  with  the  Director  of  Studies  (DoS),  will  be
involved  with  planning  and  preparation  in  the  months  leading  up  to  the  course,  reporting  to  the  Course
Director. The position acts as a visible  leader for the course, providing  motivation and inspiration  for the ISS
students  and  staff.  They  are  also  the  key  liaison  with  all  school-employed  support  teams  and  external
contractors.  The  summer  school  experience  is  an  intense  one, and  the  ability  to work  under  pressure,  to
manage competing demands  and to communicate  effectively with, and motivate staff and pupils  is essential.

Course Dates:  The  course in  2026  will run  for 4 weeks, and  we will  require  an Operations  Director to begin
prior  to  the  course  start  date.  If candidates  have  holidays,  weddings,  graduations  etc  booked,  they  must
mention  this at the interview  stage. Time off for such events cannot be guaranteed  otherwise.
The course  is run  on the Senior  School campus  (Sedbergh),  with  three London  trips  running  throughout  the
course. See breakdown  of dates below (subject  to change).

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18th June: SLT, including  Operations  Director, arrive on site
27th – 30th June 2026: London trip
30th June  – 8th August:  Senior  School campus  at Sedbergh  (staff induction  begins  on 27th June  or 2nd
July, depending  on contract start date)
18th – 21st July: London trip
25th – 28th July: London trip

Summer  School roles are residential  and involve  variable  hours, including  evenings  and weekends.  Weekly
pay reflects both  active working hours  and periods  of standby/on-call  duty. Staff receive one full day off per
week and reasonable  daily rest periods.

The school cannot cover the cost of travelling to and from the school.

Roles and Responsibilities:

•  To  oversee  and  manage  all  logistical  aspects  of  Sedbergh  ISS,  reporting  regularly  to  the  Course

Director.

•  To  line  manage  the  Activity  Manager,  and  ensure  all  activities  have  effective  Risk  Assessments  in

place and adhere  to school policies and expectations throughout  the  course.

•  To  liaise  regularly  with  the  DoS  and  ISS  Administrator,  to  ensure  all  administrative  aspects  of the

summer  school adhere  to school policies and expectations  throughout  the  course.

•  To establish  and maintain  a positive, welcoming and supportive  atmosphere  throughout  ISS for staff

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and pupils.
In  conjunction  with  other  SLT  members,  to  prepare  and  deliver  the  staff  and  pupil  induction
programmes.

•  Promote and ensure  a thorough understanding  of ISS policies and  procedures  by all  staff.
•  Ensure  all GDPR  protocols are met throughout  the programme.
•  As  a member  of the  SLT, to take  joint  responsibility  for the  overall  safeguarding  standards,  safety,
welfare and behaviour,  including  following established  disciplinary  procedures,  of all staff and pupils
during  their  stay  and  ensure  that  rules  are  always  abided  by  and  according  to  the  Staff and  Pupil
Handbooks.

•  To  take  pro-active,  positive  action  to  address  any  issues  that  arise,  and  carry  out  disciplinary

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procedures  if required,  following School policies and as outlined  in the Staff Handbook.
In conjunction  with the DoS and Activity Manager, to ensure all necessary steps are taken to minimise
risk, e.g. risk  assessments  are carried out, acted on and regularly  reviewed,  fire drills  are carried  out
regularly  in all communal  areas and First Aid  is always available.

•  To be  responsible  for staff rotas and  ensure  pupils  are adequately  supervised  24  hours  per  day and

in line with activity/teaching  ratios.

•  To ensure  that  all staff are  carrying  out their  duties  to a sufficiently  high  standard  and  to manage

staff appraisals as appropriate.

•  To oversee the quality  delivery  of all sporting  and social activities ensuring  each is carried out to the

highest  of standards, including  safety.

•  Be  the  point  of  regular  communication  with  the  School  Operations  Team  to  ensure  transport,
catering, cleaning and laundry  are running  smoothly, providing  feedback and requesting  adjustments
as necessary, holding  providers  to the standards  set out  in the  planning  months,  and  informing  the
Course Director of any issues.

•  On an agreed rota basis, to be in possession  of the emergency  phone  out of office hours and  during

the night.

•  To ensure  relevant  information for staff and pupils  is displayed  on notice  boards.
•  Be  in  daily  contact with  the  Course  Director  and  liaise  with  parents  and  agents  in  an  efficient  and

polite manner.

•  Deal with  any complaints  or grievances from staff, pupils,  parents,  or agents in a calm and  efficient

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manner.
Inform the Course Director of all incidents,  grievances and accidents  and make sure  they are logged
as soon as possible  and  certainly within  twelve hours.

•  Be responsible  for overseeing  some financial aspects of the running  of the course, to include  pocket

money provision,  petty cash, excursions and  authorising  staff expenses.

•  Run student  and staff meetings as required  and ensure  minutes  are taken and appropriately  stored.
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In conjunction  with other SLT members,  to ensure  new arrivals, including  accompanying  parents, are
made to feel welcome and well looked after.
In conjunction  with other  SLT members,  to ensure  Group  Leaders  are welcomed, briefed  and  aware
of and abide by ISS School rules  and safeguarding legislation as it pertains  to them.

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•  To ensure  the ISS Office is always manned  during  the day.
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In conjunction  with  the DoS, to ensure  weekly feedback  questionnaires  are completed  by all pupils,
to provide  recommendations  for improvement  for future years.

•  To ensure  staff appraisals are undertaken  and any feedback recorded.
•  To provide  an end  of summer  report, including  learnings  and recommendations.
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In  conjunction  with  other  SLT members,  to manage  the  closure  of the  programme  and  full  facility
check, including  damage assessments.

•  To carry out any other reasonable  duties  as requested  by the Course Director.

Pre-Course Duties:
•  To establish  and  ensure  that  there  are robust  systems  and  procedures  in  places to ensure  the safe and

effective running  of the summer  school.

•  To  input  to  and  finalise  The  Schedule,  Staff  and  pupil  Handbooks  at  least  6  weeks  before  course

commencement.

•  To help plan  and implement  effective and complete induction  programmes  for staff and pupils.
•  To  be  familiar  with  ISS  publicity  materials  (brochure,  website  etc)  and  to  promote  the  course  as

opportunities  arise.

•  To  regularly  liaise  with  the  other  SLT  members,  to ensure  plans  are  in  place  and  all  preparations  are

progressing  in a timely manner.

•  To assist the Course Director in the recruitment  of ISS staff where possible.
•  To undergo  first aid and safeguarding training  as specified  by the Course Director (at the school’s cost).
•  To liaise regularly  with the Activity  Manager, once employed,  and  the school Transport,  IT, Catering and

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Cleaning teams to ensure  pre-course  requirements  are met and in place.
In conjunction  with  the DoS and  School Operations  teams, to ensure  the site(s)  are set up  correctly and
to a high  standard  prior  to the  start of the  course,  ensuring  appropriate  signage is  in  place and  that  all
accommodation and facilities are checked, safe and secure  and ready for occupation.
In conjunction  with  the  Welfare and  Activity  Managers,  to ensure  all  pastoral and  activity  staff receive
detailed  instruction  on the use of facilities and the safe running  of the Boarding  Houses.
•  Reading Keeping  Children  Safe in Education (KCSIE)  and other policy documents  provided.
•  Completing  relevant  Educare training  modules  as instructed  prior to arrival.

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Health  and Safety:
All staff should  be aware of the school’s health  and safety policy and implement  it as appropriate.
All staff are required  to familiarise  themselves  with  the relevant Risk Assessments  ensuring  that H&S
policies are adhered  to at all times  to ensure  our pupils’  safety and wellbeing.

Safeguarding:
All staff employed  by Sedbergh  School are expected to take responsibility  for promoting and safeguarding
the welfare of children  and young persons  for whom they are responsible  or with whom they come into
contact.

These roles and responsibilities  provide a framework  for the role and should not be regarded as a
definitive  list.  Other  reasonable duties  may be required consistent  with the level of this post.

Sedbergh School is committed to safeguarding & protecting the welfare of children. Applicants must be
willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers
and the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Registered Charity No 1080672