Cargilfield School

GRADUATE ASSISTANT JOB DESCRIPTION

About the School

Cargilfield was founded in 1873 and is the oldest preparatory school in Scotland. It is also
the largest independent Prep School in Scotland and the north of England, as well as being
the only independent boarding prep school in Edinburgh. The school is ideally situated in 13
acres of grounds, 10 minutes from the centre of Edinburgh and 15 minutes from the Airport.

The school is co-educational and pupil numbers have risen to over 310 in the last few years.
There are around 50 occasional boarders with day children able to stay until 7.30pm and
occasionally board. The strong boarding ethos leads many children to make the most of the
opportunities to be a weekly or a flexi-boarder from aged 8 and to participate in boarding
weekends.

Children are prepared for the Common Entrance examinations at 13+ as well as for
Scholarship examinations to senior schools. Cargilfield prepares children for entry to a wide
range of top independent senior schools throughout Britain including Ampleforth, Dollar
Academy, Edinburgh Academy, Eton, Fettes, George Heriots, Glenalmond, Gordonstoun,
Harrow, Kilgraston, Loretto, Merchiston, Oundle, Queen Margaret’s, Radley, Rugby,
Sedbergh, Shrewsbury, Strathallan, Uppingham, Winchester and Wycombe Abbey.

The School is a vibrant, demanding and supportive community which encourages pupils and
staff to be involved in as broad a range of activities and interests as possible. Art, Drama
and Music are especially strong, and the School has a national reputation for Sport in the
prep school world in Scotland and in the UK.

Graduate Assistants will fully engage with the life of a busy prep school with a boarding
ethos through carrying out coaching of sport, assisting in classrooms, assisting with
administrative support and being a major part of the boys’ or girls’ boarding wings. The
support of a graduate assistant for academic teachers is invaluable and candidates should
demonstrate a ‘can do’ attitude to their work.

WORKING HOURS

•  One year contract, usually September to July
•  Expenses are paid weekly
•
•  Work Monday to Friday, also 14 weekends during the academic year
•  Have one evening (after 5.30pm) off each week, in liaison with the Head of Boarding

Individual accommodation during term time and holiday

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Qualities

•  Energy and enthusiasm.
•  A ‘can do’ attitude.
•  A commitment to immersing themselves during term time in the life of a busy

boarding school.

•  A desire to work with young people.

Desirable Qualities

•  A good sense of humour.
•  Flexibility in approach to work.
•  A desire to work with young people.
•  Experience of a boarding school environment would help.
•  Willingness to get ‘stuck in’.

Expenses & Accommodation

•  Expenses will be paid including holidays, for the duration of the contract.
•  Accommodation will be provided by the School throughout the contract period.
•  Accommodation bills will be met by the School and all meals can be taken in the

School during term time.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITES (this is a selection, and not an exhaustive list)

•  Assist all members of staff where necessary
•  To be responsible for tidiness of your accommodation
•  Undertake break and supervisory duties in the Upper School, Pre Prep and Nursery
•  Attend school outings and camps as required at boarding weekends
•  Assist the Maintenance Department on the grounds at busy times
•  Attend INSET training at the start of each term
•  Take tables at lunch time
•  Do two evening clubs each week
•  Attend major school events, such as the Summer Fair, Carol Services and School

Concerts etc

•  Support the staff in managing pupil behaviour, reporting difficulties as appropriate.
•  Supervise children in the changing rooms before and after games
•  Encourage pupils to interact with others and engage in activities led by the teacher.
•  Set high standards in terms of dress, language and behaviour.
•  Supervising children at break times
•

If strong in one area of sport, you may be asked to umpire or referee matches and to
take charge of a team.

•  Art, Musical or Drama specialists will also be give appropriate roles and

responsibilities to reflect their interests.

•  Contribute to the overall ethos/work/aims of the school
•  Appreciate and support the roles of other professionals in the school.

SPORT

•  Assist the PE/Games Department for PE lessons
•  Assist with Games/outdoor pursuits every afternoon
•  Accompany school teams at sports fixtures, when necessary
•  Assist at Tournaments, occasional Saturday mornings, outside of boarding weekends
•  Attend coaching courses as required

ADMINISTRATION

•  Assist teachers with practical tasks in preparation for lessons, maintenance of

resources and the maintenance of classrooms
•  To cover for absent form teachers at registration
•  To provide cover in the office for short periods

PASTORAL/BOARDING

•  To be resident in the Boarding House in term time
•  To liaise closely with the Head of Boarding on the daily routines and programmes

upstairs to ensure consistency of operation

•  Help upstairs in the boarding wings
•  Follow school safeguarding procedures
•  Be a member of a Division (Pastoral House), supporting its pupils and the staff

attached to it

•  Establish good relationships with pupils, acting as a role model and being aware of

and responding appropriately to individual needs.
•  Promote the inclusion and acceptance of all pupils.

All Graduate Assistants receive appropriate induction when they arrive at the school
and staff are always on hand to help and support them during their time at Cargilfield

Please see the website for more details: www.cargilfield.com If you think this might
be for you, then please do get in contact!

APPLICATION PROCESS

Please send a copy of an up to date CV (including email and address) to the
Headmaster at rtaylor@cargilfield.com.

There will be an interview with the Headmaster, either on visiting Cargilfield or online.

There are no closing dates for applications but these positions are often filled
well ahead of time and so we would advise early applications.