Graduate Boarding Assistant
(General, Sport/PE, Music and Creative Arts)
Full time, term time (fixed term)
September 2025 - July 2026
Executive Summary
We are seeking eight Graduate Boarding Assistants to support the Housemistress/master in the smooth running of the House and/or department linked to your area of expertise. You will live and work at the School for the academic year September 2025 – July 2026.
Of the eight Graduate Boarding Assistants: five of the roles will be general roles based in the boarding houses, the other three Graduate Boarding Assistants will be based in either PE & Sport, Music, or Creative Arts department; they will also reside on site and provide some support to the boarding houses.
The jobs available are designed to give recent graduates an opportunity to gain experience of living and working in a boarding school environment, perhaps prior to embarking on a PGCE, or to taking up a full teaching position.
We are seeking confident, resilient, well-rounded personalities with good flexibility to be able to adapt to changing circumstances.
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.
PE and Sport at Headington Rye Oxford
The PE & Sport department is an exciting and dynamic team to join. With our state-of-the-art dance and fitness centre we have a range of facilities that create a positive environment to teach and coach sport and PE. Our facilities include two sports halls, a stunning gym, a spinning room, ergo room, dance studios, astro turfs, a swimming pool, outdoor netball and tennis courts, football pitches, and cricket pitches.
Music at Headington Rye Oxford
The Music Department is a busy and exciting team of academic and instrumental staff, based in a stand-alone building on the site. The department features state-of-the-art teaching and rehearsal spaces, a large number of practice rooms and offices, and a fully-operational studio. As well as an extensive live-streamed concert programme on site (around 30 per year), the department regularly produces concerts and events across the city and further afield, enjoys creating outreach opportunities with other schools and working with professional musicians.
Creative Arts at Headington Rye Oxford
The Creative Arts Faculty is housed in the Hive, our state-of-the-art, purpose built Creativity & Innovation Centre. The facilities include digital manufacturing and digital media suites, a dedicated sixth form studio, a 3D workshop and studio, lens media studio, darkroom, seminar room, 150-seat lecture theatre, five specialist teaching studios for Art and Textiles and an additional large gallery space.
Role Description
This role is a full-time, term-time, fixed-term position from September 2025 - July 2026.
You will be part of a boarding team that supports the academic and pastoral progress of the girls whilst they are away from home.
Key responsibilities
- to undertake any tasks relevant to the work of the House/area of expertise or the needs of the girls, as these may arise.
- your hours of work will be approximately 55 hours per week during term time; however will not exceed an average of 48 hours per week (over a 17-week period).
- to be a member of the staff team and to make a positive contribution in all areas concerning the welfare of the girls
- to supervise students in the art studios out of lesson time after school and on the weekend.
General boarding
The Graduate Boarding Assistant (General) will be part of a boarding team that supports the academic and pastoral progress of the girls whilst they are away from home. It is essential that applicants are sympathetic to the philosophy and ethos of boarding at Headington Rye Oxford. The needs of the boarders vary and the Graduate Boarding Assistant (General) must have the ability to deal with confidential matters and show care and commitment to the particular age group they work with. We have a wonderful mix of students boarding and seek ways of both supporting the integration into boarding school life, whilst at the same time celebrating a range of cultures. The Graduate Boarding Assistant (General) will be required to live in school accommodation for the better performance of your duties. In the past Graduate Boarding Assistants (General) have embarked on a PGCE, Masters or been promoted to another role within Headington Rye Oxford or another boarding school.
PE & Sport
The PE Graduate is an integral part of the PE & Sport Department, and is an excellent opportunity to join a busy and productive team at the heart of the school. The PE Graduate will be involved with teaching lessons from day one. Depending on experience and ability, the graduate will begin by assisting in lessons and work toward leading parts of lessons, and then whole lessons, as the year progresses. The PE Graduate will ideally have a specialism in one of our focus areas, for example hockey, netball, football, cricket, athletics / cross-country, or swimming. The graduate will be designated a mentor within the department, and will have regular meetings with them, as well as being supported by the Director of Sport and wider team. The graduate can expect to be involved with weekly extra-curricular sessions including recreational clubs, team training, and fixtures.
Music including Music Technology
The Graduate role is highly regarded within the Department, and you will be included in weekly Department meetings and a wide variety of concerts and events. Your key role will be as liaison with boarders and day pupils, on behalf of the Director of Music, often being an accessible pastoral keystone within the Department. Depending on the candidate, there will be opportunities to help students with ABRSM/Trinity exam preparation for Aural and Theory, and also to assist some more advanced girls with Bach chorale harmony, counterpoint and similar. For a Music Technology graduate, there will be opportunities to work in recording and producing alongside students and staff. It is beneficial to be a confident pianist for this role, as, ideally, some accompanying is required. The role involves supervising specific practice sessions within the building, and to support ensembles and choirs. Another key area is to liaise with the Chaplain and the Housemistresses in providing music for the Boarders' Services on Sunday evenings.
Creative Arts
The Creative Arts Graduate Assistant is an integral part of the Visual Arts Faculty, and will be fully involved in the day to day supervision of students within the Department. Supervising open studios after school, in the evening and on weekends. Providing technical support for teachers and students both in and out of lessons where required, and running small group arts based activities for students. A flexible role that will suit candidates from a range of creative disciplines including Textiles, Fine Art, Graphics, Photography and 3D Design. Past Creative Arts Graduates have gone on to full time teaching positions, masters degrees, and full time practice in industry. With fantastic facilities on offer there is opportunity to continue one’s own artistic practice alongside the responsibilities outlined above. Access to 3D printers, laser cutters, screen printing facilities and a ceramics studio, along with much more, this is a great opportunity to work alongside other practising artist teachers in an ambitious creative setting.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
- degree or equivalent in a subject relevant to your application
Desirable
- about to embark or study towards a PGCE or ready to take up a full-time teaching position
Full training will be provided including Mental Health First Aid, Fire Marshall and Emergency First Aid.
Personal attributes/skills
- excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to deal confidently with a wide range of people including staff and pupils
- approachable at all times and is empathetic to the needs of others, especially boarders
- good time management and organisational skills
- an effective team member with the ability to use own initiative when appropriate
- able to work flexibly as workloads require and takes ownership of individual tasks
- good organisational skills
- excellent attention to detail and actively questions and clarifies information
- knows when to ask for support and advice from others
- resilient
- creates a positive and credible school image
- a good role model and demonstrates professionalism at all times
- demonstrates a basic understanding of the roles and ethos of school life (desirable)
- sense of humour and enthusiasm, with a mature attitude
Terms of Appointment
Type of Contract
Full time, term time, fixed term from September 2025 - July 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
Circa £24k
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@headington.org
- 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.
Closing Date: Monday 3rd March 2025
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.
