Resident Senior Housemaster

SENIORHOUSEMASTER(RESIDENT)Appointment ofCandidate Information Pack CONTENTS5Our Mission Statementand Vision3Headmaster’s IntroductionAcademic Excellence8-10The Role and Responsibilities6Background InformationThe Benefits1921Ratcliffe Terms12-18I wish you the very best of luck with your application. Yours sincerely, Kind regards,Mr J. P. Reddin,Headmaster.Welcome to Ratcliffe College. I am delighted that you are considering applying for a role at our wonderful school. Firstand foremost, Ratcliffe College is a fantastic place to work. We are blessed with abeautiful physical environment set in almost 200 acres of rolling Leicestershirecountryside. Our staff, teaching and non-teaching, work in harness, daily, to provide asafe, secure, and nurturing environment for the children and young people to enjoy.Our collegiality is built on the foundations of the College’s Catholic faith, whichwelcomes everyone with the same universality of warmth and respect, embracingdifference and cultivating an authentic community which values everyone equally. As a Catholic School with a proud Rosminian heritage which has endured since ourFoundation in 1847, our aim is to help young people to achieve their greatest potential,guide their intellectual growth, nurture their God-given talents, and inspire them to livein service to others. Together, we aim to develop honest, confident, responsible, andcompassionate members of society, based on the educational values of BlessedAntonio Rosmini, inspired by our school motto, Legis Plenitudo Charitas’ or Love is thefulfilment of the Law. At Ratcliffe College, Christ is very much at the centre of all that we do. So, if ourMission resonates, and you believe you can be happy and thrive here, I encourage youto apply and join our team of staff as we fulfil our Mission.HEADMASTER’S INTRODUCTION34“Learning and Growing in the Light ofthe Gospel.”With Christ at the centre of our learning we: Help young people to achieve their greatestpotential.Guide their intellectual growth, nurture theirGod-given talents, and inspire them to live inservice to others.Aim to develop honest, confident, responsible andcompassionate members of society, based on theeducational values of Blessed Antonio Rosmini. Our core Rosminian values: 1. Legis Plenitudo Charitas: Love is the Fulfilment ofthe Law. Our community recognises each individual as aunique part of God’s creation, nurtures in each asense of dignity and self-worth, and fosters supportiveand caring relationships. 2. Rosminian Education pursues the perfection of bothhuman nature and the human person. Our students’ intellect and talents are formed by abroad and balanced curriculum, responsive to andsupportive of students’ needs and aspirations. Ourstudents’ moral integrity is developed through theteaching, celebration and the living of Christian faith.3. Intellectual integrity leads us to the Truth. God is the source of all truth. Our staff are encouragedto foster intellectual curiosity, honesty andachievement in their students and within themselves. OUR VISIONTo be a leading independent day and boarding school,which is financially secure. OURMISSIONSTATEMENTSCAN THE CODE 3-YEAR STRATEGYDEVELOPMENT PLAN 2025-2028.5Ratcliffe students enjoy an excellent all-roundbalanced education, underpinned by theCollege’s core Rosminian Catholic ethos. While students at Ratcliffe have a broad rangeof ability, academic success is stronglyencouraged, valued and recognised; indeed,the greatly improved academic standards inrecent years have proved popular both withparents and prospective parents, as reflected inthe numbers of students applying to join theCollege.Ratcliffe College has repeatedly ranked in thetop 1% nationally for value added results at A Level.A Level results achieved in 2025: 45% of A Level grades A*/A 71% grade B or above. Ten percent of students achieved A*/A*/A orbetter. One in four students achieved A Level orBTEC grades equivalent to A/A/A or higher.Over 90% of students typically achieve their firstchoice pathway for life after School. Thisincludes students taking up places at Oxford,Cambridge, and other highly selective RussellGroup universities; for Medicine, Dentistry andVeterinary Science; and at universities abroad. ACADEMICEXCELLENCE6Scan to view thefull ISI InspectionReport. 7Ratcliffe College is one of England's leading Catholic independent day and boardingschools, set in 200 acres of beautiful Leicestershire countryside at Ratcliffe on the Wreake.Founded in 1847 by the Rosminian Fathers (Institute of Charity), the College provides anoutstanding co-educational day and boarding education for 900 pupils aged 3 to 18, fromNursery through to the Sixth Form.At Ratcliffe our Rosminian charism is lived authentically and where pupils grow inconfidence, compassion and service. Boarding is central to this mission. It is a communitywhere:• Relationships are rooted in dignity, respect and care• Pupils from different cultures are warmly welcomed and fully integrated • Prayer, reflection and shared experience help foster a genuine sense of belongingThe Resident Senior Housemaster plays a key role in sustaining and developing this culture.ABOUT RATCLIFFE COLLEGE 8THE OPPORTUNITYRatcliffe College is seeking to appoint an outstanding non-teaching resident SeniorHousemaster to lead one of our boarding houses and play a central role in shaping thelived experience of boarding within our thriving Catholic community.This is an exciting opportunity to join a College where boarding is a key strategic priority,and where inspection evidence from December 2025 highlights a high-quality pastoralenvironment in which pupils feel safe, supported and develop a strong sense of belonging.About the RoleThe Resident Senior Housemaster is responsible for the pastoral care, welfare and personaldevelopment of all pupils in the House, leading a dedicated team of boarding staff to createa warm, structured and aspirational “home from home”.You will play a vital role in ensuring that boarders:Feel known, valued and supportedDevelop independence, responsibility and resilienceFully engage in the academic, co-curricular and spiritual life of the CollegeWorking closely with the Assistant Head (Boarding and Mission), you will help deliver aboarding experience that reflects the College’s ambition to be a sector leader in pastoralcare and community life.9THE ROLEKey ResponsibilitiesLead and manage the House team, ensuring high standards of pastoral careAct in loco parentis, supporting the wellbeing and development of all boardersCreate a strong House identity and culture, promoting belonging and prideOversee the evening and weekend programme, ensuring it is engaging andvariedMonitor and support the academic progress of boarders in partnership withteaching  staffMaintain strong relationships with parents and guardiansEnsure compliance with safeguarding requirements and National MinimumStandards for BoardingThe PersonWe are seeking a candidate who:Has experience in boarding or pastoral leadershipIs a strong, visible and relational leader, able to build trust with pupils and staffHas high expectations and a commitment to outstanding pastoral careIs organised, resilient and able to manage a dynamic residential environmentIs committed to supporting and promoting the Catholic Life and Mission of theCollegeAs a Catholic Rosminian school, we particularly welcome applications from  practising, baptised Roman Catholics. Applications are also welcomed from  candidates of other faiths or none, provided they are willing to support and actively  promote the Catholic Life and Mission of the College. What We OfferA salary of £39,949 plus suitable accommodation according to the needs of the successfulcandidate, in addition to fee remission of 50% for any school-age children (subject to themeeting of entrance requirements). This is a full-time, non-teaching position.This opporunity is underpinned by: A genuinely purposeful leadership role within a strong pastoral systemThe opportunity to shape the experience of boarding within a growing and ambitiousschoolA supportive and values-driven community, rooted in faith, service and belongingThis is a role for someone who understands that successful boarding is not just aboutorganisation, but about relationships, presence and culture. At Ratcliffe, you will not simplyrun a boarding house. You will lead a community in which young people grow, belong andflourish.For more information about this role, please contact the Deputy Head Pastoral, Mr JamesRainer (jrainer@ratcliffecollege.com), or the incumbent Housemaster, Mr Jose Estevez(jestevez@ratcliffecollege.com).1011PURPOSE OF THE ROLE12The Resident Senior Housemaster is responsible for the pastoral care, welfare andpersonal development of all students within the House, ensuring that the boardingenvironment provides a safe, structured and welcoming home from home.The Resident Senior Housemaster will lead a vibrant residential community in whichboarders are encouraged to be ready to embrace the opportunities of boarding, to actresponsibly in their relationships with others, and to be responsive to the sense ofbelonging that our students can find at Ratcliffe.The postholder will lead the House team in delivering outstanding pastoral care,fostering a strong House community and ensuring that the highest standards ofbehaviour, wellbeing and personal development are maintained.Working closely with the Assistant Head (Boarding and Mission) and other pastoralleaders, the Resident Senior Housemaster plays a central role in supporting theacademic progress, personal development and wellbeing of all boarders.The Resident Senior Housemaster is a non-teaching pastoral leadership role and isexpected to contribute fully to the wider life of the College, particularly through the co-curricular and pastoral programmes.The Resident Senior Housemaster is required to live in the designated Houseaccommodation during term time. The Resident Senior Housemaster will also support the staffing of the College’sholiday camps in half-terms and during the Summer School. The terms of occupancy of College accommodation require any cohabiting couples tobe married.KEY TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIESPastoral Care and WelfareAct in loco parentis for all students within the House.Provide a caring, disciplined and supportive environment that promotes the wellbeingand personal development of boarders.Maintain high expectations of behaviour, conduct and appearance.Foster a strong House spirit and a culture of mutual respect and responsibility.Support students through the challenges of boarding life, particularly those who maybe far from home or adjusting to a new environment.Maintain regular communication with parents and guardians and ensure that theHouse serves as an appropriate first point of contact for families.Actively seek and respond to student voice in shaping the lived experience of life inthe Boarding House.Academic SupportTake an active interest in the academic progress of boarders.Liaise closely with pastoral leaders, tutors, Heads of Department and subjectteachers to support students’ academic development.Ensure appropriate study routines and expectations within the House.Meet regularly with boarders to support their academic progress and personalorganisation.House LeadershipDevelop and sustain a distinctive House culture that reflects the values of the Collegeand fosters pride, belonging and leadership among boarders.Lead and manage the House staff team, ensuring effective communication andcollaboration.Be a champion for boarding, taking every opportunity to promote it within the schoolcommunity.Organise and oversee duty rotas for boarding staff and ensure that staff fulfil theirregular responsibilities within boarding, including tutoring duties where appropriate.Ensure appropriate supervision of students outside the school day.Support the professional development and wellbeing of members of the House team.13International Programmes, Immersion and Summer SchoolProvide strategic oversight of the College’s immersion programmes and summer schoolprovision, which includes in-term immersion programmes, half-term boarding camps, andresidential Summer Schools.Line manage the Summer School and Immersion Programme Coordinator.Work with the Coordinator to develop high-quality programmes for visiting internationalstudents that promote language development, cultural understanding and engagement withthe life of the College.Ensure that immersion and summer programmes support the College’s internationalrecruitment strategy and contribute to the long-term growth of boarding.Develop opportunities for visiting students to experience the College’s boarding and widerco-curricular life.Support the staffing of the half-term boarding camps and residential Summer School asrequired.Act as the Educational Visits Coordinator for these programmes.Recruitment, Admissions and MarketingAssist the Headmaster and Registrar with the promotion and marketing of boarding and theadmission procedures for boarding students.Contribute to the strategic direction of student recruitment and retention throughmembership of the Recruitment, Admissions and Marketing committee.Work closely with the Admissions, Marketing and Communications teams to ensure thatcurrent and prospective families, guardians and agents have a clear understanding of theCollege’s pastoral care and boarding provision.Engage with prospective families, agents and guardians as required to promote the boardingexperience at the College.Oversee the production of communications for boarding parents, including newsletters, andensure that the boarding content on the College website and the College’s social mediachannels remains up to date.Pastoral ManagementAct as one of the College’s Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSLs) and contributeto the work of the Student Support Services team.Meet with parents and support pastoral and safeguarding casework as required.Support the Director of Safeguarding in monitoring online safety concerns and reportingsystems relating to boarders, taking appropriate action where necessary and supportingtraining for boarding staff.Keep abreast of developments in pastoral care, boarding practice, adolescent wellbeing andtechnology, leading the professional development of boarding staff in these areas.Act as a daily, visible presence across the boarding and day communities, and within boththe Preparatory School and Senior School, building trust and rapport with pupils, parentsand staff.Support the promotion of high standards of behaviour and adherence to College pastoralpolicies.14Boarding Life and CommunityPromote the Catholic Rosminian charism of the College within the life of the House,including participation in prayer and the spiritual life of the community. This includesattendance at Boarders’ Night Prayer and the weekend Community Mass (Saturdayevening or Sunday morning) whilst on duty.Ensure that a varied and engaging evening and weekend programme is available forboarders and routinely evaluate student views of this programme.Encourage participation in co-curricular activities and the wider life of the College.Support College events and activities where appropriate.Encourage the development of student leadership within the House, including theeffective use of House Prefects.Safeguarding and ComplianceAlways promote and safeguard the welfare of all students and record and report anyconcerns in accordance with the College’s safeguarding policies and procedures.Ensure that the House operates in accordance with the National Minimum Standardsfor Boarding Schools.Maintain appropriate records relating to boarding students. Liaise with the Assistant Head (Boarding and Mission), Deputy Head Pastoral and/orthe Director of Safeguarding regarding any safeguarding, pastoral or welfareconcerns.Administration and OrganisationOversee the organisation and administration of the House, including attendanceregisters, leave arrangements and communication with parents.Maintain accurate pastoral and safeguarding records relating to boarding students.Ensure that the House environment is safe, well maintained and conducive to thewellbeing of students.Work with support staff and the Estates team to ensure the effective upkeep of theHouse.Administer the House budget for sundries where applicable.Ensure that the Boarding House is prepared for the start of every term and half-term,which will include directing staff to specific tasks and checking that the House iscompliant with the requirements of the National Minimum Standards for BoardingSchool before any students are resident.15Working ArrangementsThe Resident Senior Housemaster is expected to be available to students from the daybefore the start of term until the morning following the end of each half-term, exceptduring agreed periods off duty. It is expected that the postholder will work as requiredduring school holidays to ensure that the Boarding House is prepared for the start ofevery term and half-term.The Resident Senior Housemaster will normally have:Two nights off duty during the week, which includes one continuous 24-hour periodoff duty.Two weekends off duty in every eight-week cycle.Two additional weekends where they are resident but not formally on duty. It wouldbe expected that the Resident Senior Housemaster supports an element of theweekend boarding provision on these weekends.Duty arrangements may vary according to the operational needs of the boardingcommunity, as the Resident Senior Housemaster must ensure that there is alwaysadequate supervision within the boarding house. This could include supportingstaffing in the girls’ House or having to rearrange a period of off-duty at short notice.The Resident Senior Housemaster will also contribute to the staffing of the College’sholiday programmes.GeneralAttend and contribute to Pastoral Meetings, Student Support Services meetings, andboarding staff meetings.Attend College Open Days and Open Evenings, in addition to any Boarding-specificmarketing events. Be a visible presence at new starters and induction events, taking a lead onarranging any boarding taster events and stays or ad hoc taster stays for daystudents.Support school functions and events as appropriate, whilst also encouragingboarders to attend these events.Work in accordance with the College’s policies and procedures.Undertake any other reasonable duties as requested by the Headmaster, DeputyHead Pastoral or Assistant Head (Boarding and Mission).SafeguardingThe postholder is responsible for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children andyoung people with whom they come into contact. The postholder must comply with theCollege’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy at all times.17PERSON SPECIFICATION16EssentialExperience of boarding or pastoral leadership (for example, asHousemaster/Housemistress, Deputy Housemaster/Housemistress, Head of Year orequivalent role)Proven ability to provide high-quality pastoral care, with a strong understanding ofadolescent development, wellbeing and behaviourDemonstrable commitment to safeguarding and child protection, with the ability toimplement policy, maintain accurate records and promote a strong safeguarding culturewithin a residential settingSecure knowledge of safeguarding requirements and relevant statutory guidance, includingthe National Minimum Standards for Boarding and Keeping Children Safe in EducationAbility to act in loco parentis with sound professional judgement, emotional intelligence andappropriate boundariesStrong leadership and team management skills, with experience of leading, supporting anddeveloping staffExcellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build positiverelationships with pupils, parents, colleagues and external stakeholdersA visible, approachable and consistent leadership presence suited to a residentialcommunityHigh expectations of behaviour, conduct and personal standards, with the ability to applythese consistently and fairlyStrong organisational and administrative skills, with the ability to manage a busy anddynamic boarding environmentAbility to support and monitor pupils’ academic progress in collaboration with teaching staffCommitment to contributing fully to the wider life of the College, including co-curricular andboarding programmes including half-term and summer school programmes.Willingness to live in school accommodation and undertake the demands of a residentialroleA practising Roman Catholic, or a Christian with a strong commitment to supporting andpromoting the Catholic Life and Mission of the CollegeDesirableExperience of working in a full boarding environmentExperience of inspection processes (ISI and/or National Minimum Standards for Boardingcompliance)Experience of working with international students and supporting cultural integrationExperience of leading or developing boarding activities, trips or weekend programmesExperience of using pastoral or safeguarding information systemsUnderstanding of the independent school sector and boarding marketExperience of contributing to recruitment, marketing or promotion of boardingTermDetailsRole TitleSenior HousemasterReporting lineAssistant Head (Boarding and Mission)Contract typePermanent, full-time, residential. The postholder is entitled to 5.6 weeks ofleave (including bank holidays).Start DateSeptember 2026 (or January 2027 for the right candidate)LocationRatcliffe College, Ratcliffe on the Wreake, Leicestershire LE7 4SGSalary£39,949 per annumTERMS OF APPOINTMENTWe welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Ratcliffe College is an equalopportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Allappointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.To apply, please complete the application form, ensuring that your supporting statement clearlyaddresses all relevant criteria outlined in the Person Specification. You should provide specificexamples from your career to demonstrate how you meet these requirements.Closing date: Midday, Friday 24th April 2026Interviews: w/c 4 May 2026thIFor more information about this role, please contact the Deputy Head Pastoral, Mr James Rainer (jrainer@ratcliffecollege.com), or the incumbent Housemater, Mr Jose Estevez(jestevez@ratcliffecollege.com), for an informal conversation.HOW TO APPLYRatcliffe College reserves the right tointerview and appoint ahead of theclosing date.If you do not hear anything further withintwo weeks of the closing date, pleaseassume that you have not beensuccessful on this occasion.INVITED TO INTERVIEW Visit our vacancies page.Please follow the link above to visit themain vacancies page on our schoolwebsite. Search for the vacancy youwish to apply for, complete the onlineapplication form in full and submit it tous before the closing date. COMPLETE AN ONLINEAPPLICATION FORM18THE BENEFITS OFWORKING ATRATCLIFFE COLLEGEDefined ContributionsPension Scheme.Suitable accommodation (Benefit in Kind)Free lunch andrefreshments Professional Developmental opportunities Sport and LeisureFree use of the on-site gym       (at specified times)Staff Wellbeing50% school fees remission fordependents (subject to meetingentrance requirements)Staff Wellbeing Committee     Free staff social events                        Access to on-site Medical CareRatcliffe College CommunityCommittee Access to the School Counsellor SCAN THE CODE TAKE A LOOK AROUND OUR VIRTUAL CAMPUSTOUR.19Child ProtectionRatcliffe College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and youngpeople and expects all staff to share this commitment. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation ofOffenders Act 1974, and applicants are required to declare all convictions and cautions (includingthose which are “spent” unless they are “protected” under the DBS filtering rules), in order to assesstheir suitability to work with children. For further information, please see the Recruitment, Selection and Disclosures Policy andhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-guidance-on-the-rehabilitation-of-offenders-act-1974The College is also registered for the processing of personal data in accordance with the DataProtection Act 1998. Such checks are required in accordance with the Recruitment, Selection andDisclosures policy and the Data Protection policy. Copies of these policies may be obtained from theDirector of Finance and Operations upon request.The appointment is subject to satisfactory:References, of which one must be from a current or most recent employer if not currently inemploymentDisclosure and Barring Service check (including children’s barred list check if appropriate)Open source checkProof of identityRight to work checkQualifications checkHealth screeningProhibition from Teaching / Management (where applicable)RATCLIFFE TERMS21Ratcliffe College, Fosse Way, Ratcliffe on the Wreake, Leicester, LE7 4SGwww.ratcliffecollege.comHR: 01509 817089HR@ratcliffecollege.com