Day Matron
Part time, term time
Starting September 2026
Headington Rye Oxford is a vibrant and welcoming school set in 23 acres of playing fields and grounds. In an environment where individuals come first, Headington Rye Oxford is renowned for its commitment to academic excellence, pastoral support and an impressive range of extra-curricular opportunities.
Executive Summary
We are seeking a part time, term time Day Matron to support the Housemistress and Boarding team of our Davenport Boarding House.
The Day Matron plays a vital role in maintaining the smooth operation of Davenport House, contributing to a supportive community where boarders can thrive both academically and personally.
The Day Matron will work alongside the Housemistress, Assistant Housemistress and Graduate Boarding Assistant.
Boarding at Headington Rye Oxford
Boarding is available at Headington Rye Oxford for girls aged 11 and upwards, and the boarding community plays a key role in school life. It provides girls with a secure environment in which to learn to become individuals with a sound set of values.
The boarding community plays a key role in school life. We have c200 boarders: these are a mix of full, weekly, half-weekly and occasional boarders. There are five separate boarding houses on the campus: Davenport, Hillstow, Napier, Celia Marsh and MacGregor. Each house has a slightly different format of age groups, and each has its own sense of individuality; whilst at the same time working in unity with the other houses in order to create a whole boarding community.
Each house is run by a residential team consisting of a Housemistress/master and Assistant Housemistress/master and a residential Graduate Boarding Assistant. They are also assisted by a Matron.
The Day Matron (Davenport) will work within Davenport House.
Role Description
This is a part-time, term-time role plus seven extra days starting in September 2026
The Day Matron's key responsibility is to assist the Housemistress and to provide for the safety and welfare of pupils who stay in the boarding House. They are expected to work closely with the Housemistress and will be an integral part of the House team. The Day Matron will also provide an effective and wide-ranging secretarial and administration service to the House.
Key responsibilities
- oversee the day to day domestic running of the House (in liaison with the Housemistresses, Assistant Housemistresses and Housekeeping team) particularly in relation to cleaning, laundry and hygiene
- check all the rooms/bedrooms on a regular basis
- send repairs to the Works team via our Fixit system
- liaise with Catering Manager to ensure a fully stocked larder for weekdays and weekends, reflecting the dietary needs of the girls, as well as weekend food numbers
- check all girls into and out of the House while on duty
- supervise all girls while present in the House during the day
- respond to and co-ordinate fire alarms and evacuations
- take and record messages from parents and girls for the Housemistress and Assistant Housemistress
- provide an effective administration service to the House as required by the House team
- distribute post and messages for girls in the House
- provide assistance with medical emergency rota
- undertake relevant training courses when needed and as required
- use school IT systems and databases to access information, maintain records and for communication across the School and externally
- such other reasonable duties in line with your skills and abilities as may be required from time to time by the Head of Boarding, Deputy Head (Pastoral) and Headmistress
Pastoral Care
The Day Matron will have an important role in the pastoral support of boarding pupils, working closely with the Housemistress. It is expected that they will get to know the pupils well and have a listening ear where necessary.
Flexibility
It is recognised that the circumstances of the Day Matrons differ and that there is a need for flexibility and individuality in the way in which they work. Day to day working practice should be agreed with the Housemistress and the Head of Boarding. It is expected, however, that the Day Matron will work within the agreed common framework as outlined above.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
- experience of working with young people, ideally in an educational environment.
Desirable
- previous experience of working in a boarding school
Personal attributes/skills
- housekeeping/domestic skills
- IT literate
- patience with young people whilst having a commitment to, and understanding of, the concerns of young people from a variety of cultural and social backgrounds
- excellent written and oral communication skills at all levels
- excellent interpersonal skills
- good organisation and administration skills
- physically able to undertake all the physical requirements of the post and use equipment according to Health and Safety guidelines
- flexibility to provide cover in cases of illness
- willingness to work in other areas of the school if required
- sensitivity and empathy
- flexibility to deal with changing needs of a busy boarding environment
- ability to cope calmly and effectively with emergencies when they arise
- self-motivated.
- good team player, cooperative, honest and helpful
- patience and a sense of humour
- sympathy with the values and ethos of the School
Terms of Appointment
Type of Contract
Part time, term time plus seven extra days. Hours of work: 15 hours per week (3.00 pm - 6.00 pm Monday to Friday). Starting September 2026
Benefits
Pension
Contributory membership of the School’s Support Staff Pension Scheme with a School contribution of up to 9.95 per cent upon successful completion of six months’ service.
Salary
The prorated salary for a full academic year (approximately 33 weeks @ 3 hours per day) plus seven inset days @7.5 hours per day is approximately £9,618 per annum.
(The full-time-equivalent salary based on 37.5 hours per week, all year-round would be approximately £29,091 per annum).
Additional Benefits
All staff have access to a broad programme of wellbeing activities. The programme currently includes access to the School’s gym and swimming pool, weekly Step and Tone and Zumba classes and regular staff social activities such as Book Club and Staff Choir. Staff also benefit from free access to the Employee Assistance Programme, a free, confidential helpline that offers advice on a range of issues. Free restricted parking is available for all staff on site.
Appointment Process and How To Apply
Applicants should submit an application form and a covering letter detailing their skills and experience to recruitment@headingtonschool.com
- Applications will only be accepted from candidates completing the application form in full. CVs will not be accepted in substitution for completed application forms. However, they may be sent in addition to the application form.
- We will seek references on successful candidates and will approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications . References will ask about your suitability to work with children.
- If you are invited to interview you will receive notification outlining the interview process and guidance regarding the documentation you are required to provide.
Please apply immediately
Interviews upon receipt of applications
Please note that applications will be reviewed and shortlisted on a rolling basis and we reserve the right to interview, appoint and close adverts early depending on the volume of applications we receive. We therefore encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment.
All appointments are subject to satisfactory completion of all employment checks, ie Disclosure and Barring Service, Right to Work in the UK, references, medical questionnaire. Headington Rye Oxford is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Applicants must undergo child protection screening, including checks with past employers and DBS and barred lists checks. The School expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Important documents
