Downside School - House Parent

Summary

We are currently seeking to fill the position of House Parent at Downside School.

Detail

House Parent - Every Saturday Term-Time Only

Downside School has an opportunity for a part-time House Parent to join one of our boys boarding houses. Downside School is an independent, co-educational boarding and day school for pupils aged 11 to 18. Supporting the House Master and Assistant House Master, you will form part of a House Parent team who looks after the welfare, safety, and pastoral care of students in our boarding houses. This role is working in Roberts which houses approx. 50 boys.

The role of a House Parent involves ensuring our boarding-houses feel like a home to our pupils and involves building positive and professional relationships with pupils, parents, and school staff.

House Parents work as part of a dedicated team, assisting with and contributing to the supervision and care of pupils in the boarding House, and the smooth running of the House during the School day. This includes responsibility for their clothing/uniform, health (in conjunction with the Health Centre) and general well-being of pupils in the House. House Parents also support the domestic staff working in the House and assist the House Master or Mistress (HsM) and other pastoral staff in ensuring that their work is carried out effectively and efficiently.

It is essential that the House Parent is seen by the pupils as an approachable, helpful, and sympathetic person. There is also an element of administration involved with this role, so experience of using IT systems including MS office is required. Our buildings are located over several floors and the work may require climbing flights of stairs and some general lifting and carrying.

To be successful, you will have:

• A kind and caring nature
• Confidentiality and discretion
• Ability to work using own initiative but also as part of a team
• Excellent communication skills
• General administration experience
• An organised approach with the ability to adapt to changing situations
• Embraces and appreciates the ethos of a Benedictine boarding school

We can offer the successful candidate:

• Term-time working
• A supportive, skilled, and innovative staff team
• An inspiring, intellectually rewarding work environment
• Plenty of opportunities for CPD
• Free on-site parking
• We have an excellent catering facility, which offers all our staff a complimentary lunch
• Complimentary access to onsite leisure facilities including gym, squash courts and indoor swimming pool
• Employee Assistance Program including Cycle to Work Scheme

Contractual Details

Pay: £12.77 per hour

Hours: Every Saturday 8.00am - 6.00pm with a 30 minute unpaid lunch break

Working Weeks: 35 weeks per year (Term-time only)

Holiday: 5.6 weeks paid holiday per year. Holidays are to be taken in line with independent School holidays

Contract: Permanent contract

Closing date for applications: Friday 10th July 2026

Interviews to be held on Thursday 16th July 2026

To Apply

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews. Downside School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. All appointments are subject to enhanced DBS checks and satisfactory references. We encourage applications from diverse backgrounds.

Please complete your application through our applicant tracking system on our website Downside School Opportunities - Downside School, using the apply button. CVs are not accepted.

Applications must be completed in full to include full employment history, education history and contact details for referees for current and most recent employer.

About Downside School

Nestled in the beautiful Somerset countryside just 25 minutes from Bath, Downside School is a historic Catholic independent school founded in 1606. Our Benedictine ethos fosters integrity, independent thinking, and service, creating a happy, inspiring environment where pupils thrive academically and through over 70 co-curricular activities.

With facilities like a 400-seat theatre, indoor pool, and 24/7 Health Centre, we nurture motivated learners in a supportive community praised by the ISI for excellent staff-pupil relationships.

By car, we are within 40 minutes of Bristol, 30 minutes of Bath and 15 minutes of Wells.

Registered Company No. 11751009 and Registered Charity No: 1184700