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Head of Careers and Higher Education

Information for Candidates

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www.trentschools.net

Houseparent, Bates House

A boarding house for junior girls

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Bates House Bates House is a thriving home during term time for 30 girls in Years 7 to 11. At the end of Year 11, the girls move to our specialist Sixth Form House for girls. The girls comprise full, weekly and flexi boarders with a balance of UK and international pupils. The current post holder is retiring from the role at the end of this academic year after several years of committed and fulfilling service to the boarding community. She leaves a house that has a strong identity, exceptional quality of care and a motivated and committed staff team. This role is an excellent opportunity for the successful candidate to develop their current skill set in a supportive and collaborative boarding community.

Trent College

Trent College is a happy and flourishing HMC coeducational, independent day and boarding school. There are over 700

pupils in the Senior School, which includes 140 boarders. There are over 400 pupils in The Elms, which is the Junior

School to Trent College for pupils from Nursery to age 11.

The campus is located in beautiful grounds and is conveniently located on the border of Nottinghamshire and

Derbyshire. Founded in 1866, Trent College boasts a rich heritage and traditions spanning over 150 years. Though we

value our unique and distinguished past, we have our eyes firmly set on the potential of the child in the 21st century

and a spirit of energy and innovation shapes our school life.

We give the highest priority to the quality of our academic provision. We are also proud of our reputation for delivering

a fully rounded curriculum, with sport, music, art and drama all being important elements of an education at Trent

and The Elms. This, coupled with a focus on excellent pastoral care, makes us a school that nurtures the individual to

go further than they thought possible in terms of achievement and character. We are committed to enabling them to

flourish in a changing world. Required from September 2020 the Houseparent of Bates House will be joining a forward

thinking, successful, happy and ambitious school with exciting plans for its development.

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The Trent College Programme

We offer GCSEs, iGCSEs, A level and BTEC courses as well as the Extended Project Qualification. We support pupils

preparing for Oxbridge and other highly selective universities through a programme of lectures, seminars and debates.

Nearly all of our leavers choose to take up a place at university, with an impressive quality and range of courses

undertaken. Many opt for the traditional professional routes into medicine, law, finance and public service, but

significant numbers increasingly choose more creative and entrepreneurial paths. As we would hope from any school

that sees its virtue in breadth and diversity, our pupils are as varied and unique as the many interests they pursue.

The quality and range of activity at Trent is remarkable and the size and scope of the school allows all pupils to find

their niche.

Trent College has a very strong sporting tradition and an enviable record of sporting achievement, with a national

reputation in hockey, cricket, tennis and rugby. Many of our pupils are selected for county, regional and national

honours.

There is an outstanding music programme at Trent College, from the formal disciplines of choral and classical

ensembles to the informal jazz, rock and swing bands. Over 500 music lessons taught each week by 25 specialist music

staff.

Our drama productions are impressive and students are encouraged to join in with a wide range of plays and reviews,

from small studio ensemble work to ambitious whole school musicals and other productions.

A programme of lectures has also become a distinctive feature of our school life, which gives our students the

opportunity to listen to eminent speakers from all walks of life.

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Our new Careers and Higher Education Centre provides an exceptional environment for future planning and is staffed

by an experienced team.

The school also fully understands the importance of all round opportunity for pupils. Our programme features CCF,

the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award and outdoor pursuits as core activities in the development of the pupils. Community

and service work, prefectship and charitable fundraising provide further benefit to the pupils.

This is an exciting time for Trent College. A major refurbishment of boarding is underway and further plans for

development of our facilities are well advanced.

The appointed candidate will be encouraged to contribute to the Trent College programme.

Pastoral Care & Boarding

Pastoral care is a significant strength at Trent. The small tutor groups and attention given to each individual is at

the heart of this intimate and friendly community. Trent College welcomes students and staff from all faiths. All

pupils attend services and assemblies and great emphasis is placed on the spirit of our community and the

significance of spiritual life and reflection.

Trent College enjoys a strong boarding ethos with boarding places available from Year 7 upwards. Many pupils elect

to board in their final years at Trent enabling them to fulfil their work commitments and to play a full part in our

busy school life. Boarding also provides space and freedom for students to develop as individuals and it promotes

independence and self-sufficiency which provides excellent preparation for university and life after school.

As a key element of our most recent strategic plan there is an emphasis on wellbeing and the benefits of a positive

education. A broad and inclusive co-curricular programme is an essential part of our approach.

Boarding houses are maintained to an excellent standard and Bates House was purpose built for the role. The girls

enjoy spacious and agreeable accommodation and take all meals in the school dining room. All dorms in Bates

House are scheduled to be refurbished to an exceptionally high standard. It is a wonderful home from home

environment.

The House team comprises Resident Assistant, House Matron and non-resident tutors.

Our full boarders enjoy exceptional opportunities which include free music lessons, an allocation of EAL lessons

which is included in the fees and an unrivalled range of weekend trips and activities which are again covered in the

fees.

The House is located at the heart of our exceptional campus. The Houseparent is provided with excellent, spacious

accommodation, all meals during term time and is resident throughout the school term.

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Job description and person specification

Overall expectations

The Houseparent has the overall responsibility of caring for the personal, emotional, social and academic wellbeing of all the boarders in the House and for providing a stimulating, orderly, family atmosphere in which boarders feel safe,

happy and can learn. This role has a proven track record in preparing colleagues for promotion to senior leadership roles.

Person Specification

Experience of working with children in a residential setting is essential. The successful candidate will have a well-

developed understanding of boarding schools, independent education and excellent pastoral care. They will be able

to articulate a vibrant, inspiring vision for their work in support of the girls in the house and will be committed to

playing an active role in developing the work of the boarding team. Honours graduates with compelling prior

experience, QTS and excellent team work and management skills will have a distinct advantage.

Key Responsibilities

• To work in accordance with the national minimum standards for boarding schools and the arrangements for promoting the welfare and pastoral care within the House.

• To uphold the school commitment to safeguarding children and young people and to act as a role model in these essential duties

• To provide all adult members of the House team with a clear briefing of their roles and responsibilities, and to undertake review of their performance as required.

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• To lead, develop and manage the resident staff in the House and the Duty Tutors so they play an effective role

in maintaining a safe, happy, healthy and successful House. This includes induction training and encouragement

to attend additional training courses. • To promote and contribute to the recruitment of boarders from UK and overseas. • To ensure all boarding staff, boarders and their parents understand the aims and objectives of boarding in the

House and the principles and practice of boarding at Trent College. • To ensure the school boarding principles and practice are followed at all times within the House and to ensure

the House handbook is kept up to date. • To ensure boarders are listened to and their views are represented in the management of the House. • To keep abreast of issues relating to boarding, child protection and the pastoral care of boarders. • To take full part in attending external training courses, including those run by the Boarding Schools Association. • To ensure that prep is effectively organised within the allocated time and that boarders are supported in their

studies. • To maintain suitable documentation on boarders’ progress including relevant achievements and misconduct and

their general welfare (via individual welfare plans).

• To develop a culture of mutual respect within the House so the boarders look after the welfare of each other,

provide support to their peers and inform House staff of any boarders feeling unhappy. • To establish good relationships with the parents of boarders and maintain regular communication with them. • To organise, with House staff, whereby there is supervision within the House at all designated times (and on

House trips) and this information is published so boarders know who is responsible for them at all times. Also to

ensure arrangements are made for cover. • To arrange liaison with the Medical Centre to ensure pupils’ medical requirements are appropriately catered for

and all medical protocols are understood, followed, and relevant documentation produced. • To liaise with House staff, and cleaners to ensure that pupils’ rooms are kept clean and tidy, clothes and personal

belongings are stored securely and tidily and that the fabric and furnishings within the House are treated with respect.

• To be responsible for the expenditure of House funds and to maintain accounts for this expenditure for use by the Bursar.

• To update the Deputy Head (Pastoral) on general House issues and on any disciplinary incidents so they are

managed in accordance with school policy. • To support the school in ensuring there is an appropriate range of activities for the boarders during evenings

and at weekends. • To support the school in ensuring the House is well maintained and routine maintenance issues are swiftly

reported to operations. • To ensure all House staff are familiar with the published school policies and procedures, particularly those for

child protection, anti-bullying, risks to health, drugs and substance abuse, alcohol, sexual health, antismoking,

behaviour management and health and safety and are aware of the appropriate response in all cases. • To maintain full documentation within the House including individual pupil welfare plans, fire drills, accident

reports, complaints, punishments and risk assessments. • To support the development of boarding within the school. • To produce an annual House report to summarise the past year and set the main targets for the following year

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Application Process

Whilst applicants from other backgrounds are welcome to apply, Houseparents usually combine their pastoral work with an appropriate level of teaching commitment. All teaching disciplines will be considered.

An application form and covering letter (addressed to the Head, Mr Bill Penty) containing an account of your suitability for the post should be completed and sent to Mrs Morag Daykin (HR Manager), Trent College, Derby Road, Long Eaton, Nottingham, NG10 4AD or by email to recruitment@trentcollege.net no later than noon on 20th March 2020. Interviews will take place week commencing 23rd March 2020. Trent College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Should your application be successful; an enhanced disclosure will be requested from the Disclosure and Barring Service and any contractual offer will be subject to rigorous recruitment procedures.

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Trent College, Derby Road, Long Eaton,

Nottingham NG10 4AD

Tel: 0115 849 4949

www.trentcollege.net