Downe House School - Graduate Boarding Assistant

Summary

Downe House are seeking an energetic Graduate Boarding Assistant to join our enthusiastic Lower School House Staff Team from September 2025.

Detail

2-year fixed term contract from 1st September 2025 – 31st July 2027

Are you a graduate, with an interest in supporting the wellbeing and development of students?

Are you caring and committed to helping young people achieve their goals in a safe and nurturing environment?

Downe House is a leading independent boarding and day school for girls aged 11-18, based in the village of Cold Ash, Berkshire. Our aim is to provide pupils with a wealth of academic, pastoral and Co-Curricular opportunities to allow them to grow into confident young women. We are seeking an energetic Graduate Boarding Assistant to join our enthusiastic Lower School House Staff Team from September 2025. This is an exciting route to kickstart your career and gain valuable experience working with students in an educational setting as well as develop personal skills.

In this role you will be a member of the team of House Staff in the Lower School Boarding House (Remove and Lower 4 – Years 7 and 8) and make a positive contribution in all areas concerning the welfare of the boarders. As a resident member of staff, you will support the girls at key times during the day, evening and weekends. Your creative and leadership skills will be utilised to organise and deliver a range of Co-Curricular activities for the girls, assist with morning and bedtime routines and help keep the Boarding House looking its best at all times.

You will be part of a nurturing and supportive but busy and thriving school, where everyone is encouraged to get fully involved with school life. We have Graduate roles in other departments, so you will not be alone! Some of our graduates have succeeded to gain permanent employment with us after their 2-year placement, whilst others have benefitted from useful career insight and connections to guide their next steps.

This is a residential post, and the Graduate Boarding Assistant will live in on-site accommodation, sharing facilities, usually with other Graduate Assistants. You will have daily and weekly time off during the 34 weeks of term time and enjoy substantial holiday periods for nearly 18 weeks outside of term time.

We offer a range of benefits including:

• Free staff accommodation provided on site

• Provision of delicious and nutritious free meals and on-site parking

• Substantial holiday periods for nearly 18 weeks outside of term-time

• Modern gym and swimming pool facilities

• Regular opportunities for professional development

• A vibrant and supportive staff community

• A variety of social occasions through the year

• Generous pension scheme (9% employer contribution)

• Life Assurance and Death in Service benefit

• A supportive induction programme

• Beautiful working environment in a semi-rural location

How to Apply

Application forms can be downloaded by clicking 'Apply' at the bottom of this advert. Please provide a covering letter and / CV and send to recruitment@downehouse.net by 22nd February. We reserve the right to interview/appoint before the closing date.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Own transport is essential as the school is in a rural location with no public transport links.

For further details you can contact the HR Department on 01635 204712 or email recruitment@downehouse.net

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and any offer of employment is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure Check (DBS), satisfactory references, and social media checks.

At Downe House we promote equality of opportunity for all pupils and staff, both current and prospective, and we actively support an environment and culture that values diversity and inclusion.

Documents

• Application_Form Feb 25
• Candidate Pack - Graduate Boarding Assistant

Further Information

https://vacancies.downehouse.net/