Lead Nurse
Permanent, full time, term time
Start date: 5th January 2027
Executive Summary
Headington prides itself on the care and support it provides for its pupils. Our Health Centre plays an integral role in the pastoral care we provide, offering a welcoming space and promoting the physical health and emotional wellbeing of our pupils, both resident boarders and day pupils alike.
The Lead Nurse will be a professional, caring, enthusiastic, dynamic and experienced nurse (RGN/RN qualified) who enjoys working with young people. They will have the ability to manage the Health Centre and our team of dedicated and highly professional nurses and to oversee health provision and the health care roles undertaken by the Health and Wellbeing Assistant in the Prep School and the boarding staff in the Senior School.
From meeting the physical needs of some pupils in drop in clinics, to looking after those boarders who are too unwell to remain in their boarding house, or administering first aid and guiding pupils who require psychological support, the role of a Headington nurse is a varied but vital one.
The Lead Nurse has a number of administrative and leadership responsibilities but retains the day to day contact with pupils (and their parents) and staff that are critical to any nursing role at the School.
The Health Centre
The Health Centre is a busy professional department that operates from a dedicated facility in the heart of the school site. It is open 24 hours a day Monday to Friday, with reduced hours at weekends during term time. The Health Centre caters for the needs of pupils and staff during the school day and supports the needs of boarders and the wider resident team at other times. The Lead Nurse is supported by three full-time nurses, as well as bank nurses, in delivering effective care and support to the wider school community. Boarders benefit from visiting GP clinics twice weekly. In the Prep School there is a Health and Wellbeing Assistant who manages the day-to-day needs of our younger pupils.
The Lead Nurse and the nursing team will work closely with the Deputy Heads Pastoral, our Wellbeing Team and the pastoral leads to ensure we continue to meet the needs of all of our pupils and provide effective, targeted and appropriate care and advice to our young people and their families. There is increasingly an operational element to the role too as we seek to meet and where possible exceed the regulatory requirements that relate to health and wellbeing.
Role Description
The Lead Nurse is responsible for the management and leadership of a dedicated team of nurses based in the Health Centre, coordinating the provision of on-site medical care and advice for pupils and staff, and advising on the School’s approach to health-related issues. They retain oversight of the health and wellbeing provision in our Prep School and have some responsibility for the boarding staff who also administer medical support in the Senior School.
Key responsibilities
- oversee the running of a term-time only Health Centre, operating 24 hours a day across the working week with reduced coverage at weekends
- line manage, lead and direct the team of nurses (including any bank staff)
- take responsibility for ensuring staff supporting the school’s health provision (including boarding matrons, boarding staff and first aiders) are appropriately trained and able to understand and follow expected protocols and processes including the recording and dispensing of medication
- work with the Head of Boarding to ensure relevant training has been undertaken by boarding staff
- be aware of pupils’ physical and emotional needs, to be able to talk to them (and their parents [where necessary or appropriate] sensitively and to know when other professional help (in or external to the School) may be needed
- be responsible and accountable for the writing, implementation and monitoring of policies and procedures for the safe and proper operation of the Health Centre - using BSA, ISI and other appropriate guidelines as required
- provide on-site high standard medical care for both “drop in” day pupils and for those with ongoing issues and concerns
- provide total care of ‘in patients’ in conjunction with the other nurses and boarding staff, liaising with and updating parents and guardians as appropriate
- treat and advise pupils and staff with common minor injuries and illnesses and to administer First Aid to pupils and staff in emergencies
- develop, implement and monitor clear healthcare plans for pupils with chronic conditions and to advise and train staff as appropriate on how they can best meet the health care needs of individuals with specific conditions (eg asthma, allergies, anaphylaxis, diabetes, complex migraine, epilepsy etc). To liaise with external medical teams around such care plans where it is appropriate and necessary to do so
- have strong communication links with the Deputy Head Pastoral and the wider Pastoral and Safeguarding team in order to offer holistic pastoral support within the school community
- have ongoing liaison with the Head of Boarding and boarding staff, allocating nurses to houses, and ensuring communications are clear and effective and promote the welfare of boarding pupils
- liaise with the school GP team in order to plan and implement a twice-weekly clinic meeting the health needs of the boarding community
- maintain a strong professional link with the GP administration team to ensure that records are accurately maintained and advice and guidance obtained in a timely manner when required
- work with the Schools Immunisation Team to plan, advertise and deliver vaccination and immunisation programmes as required
- be aware of safeguarding processes and protocols and to share relevant information as appropriate in a timely manner with the Deputy Head Pastoral and/or the Director of Safeguarding regarding pupils of concern
- manage the triaging and review of medical information shared by parents and guardians as part of the admissions process, ensuring pupil records are created and updated and information for staff is available prior to the start of the Autumn Term
- ensure that medical information on pupils is transferred accurately and in a timely manner into the relevant management databases (such as iSams and/or CPOMS) and records are stored confidentially and updated regularly and appropriately
- work confidentially with the HR team where advice is needed around staff needs and adjustments
- liaise with the Deputy Head Pastoral where pupil medical information suggests specific adjustments or planning may be required to meet individual need (this may include a need to consider EHCP documentation during the initial enquiry phase and through the admissions process, advising on necessary adjustments, perhaps in collaboration with the School SENCOs
- work closely with senior managers to ensure best practice guidelines are adhered to in relation to nursing and medical care throughout the School
- keep up to date with relevant professional developments and ensure information is disseminated to the nursing team, encouraging the nursing team to engage in evidence-based practice which feeds into their annual appraisal process
- produce duty rotas for the nursing team and manage hours worked ensuring there is a team of RGN/RN qualified nurses operating a shift system for the School enabling the advertised provision to be met during term time
- take responsibility alongside the Deputy Head Pastoral for recruitment within the Health Centre team as required, ensuring all members of the nursing team have appropriate personal development plans and undertake annual performance reviews
- play an active part in the School’s Health Education Programme (delivered via PSHE) and to advise pupils on sexual health matters
- be responsible for the Health Centre budget, maintaining sufficient levels of stock drugs and medical supplies, and ensuring boarders’ prescriptions are renewed in a timely manner
- have oversight of health care and medication/equipment audits, maintaining clear records and evidence of the audit process and any actions resulting from it
- work alongside the Deputy Head Pastoral and Assistant Bursar Operations in managing any medical incidents or reportable conditions that might lead to the involvement of external health agencies or the implementation of a crisis or emergency plan
It is acknowledged that some of these responsibilities are shared with, or delegated to, other members of the nursing team.
Person Specification
Qualifications and Experience
Essential
- professional Nursing qualification; a state registered nurse with ‘hands on’ experience in children and young people’s health
- knowledge and experience of providing First Aid
- experienced in the care of young people including those with chronic illnesses and in providing care and support for young people with mental health needs.
- physically able to undertake all the physical requirements of the post and use equipment according to health and safety guidelines
- good IT skills (Microsoft Office and Google Applications)
Desirable
- specialist Community Public Health Nurse (School nursing)
- mental health training
- familiarity with, and good understanding of, safeguarding procedures
- familiarity with using a database and information management system (eg ISAMS, CPOMS)
Personal attributes/skills
- strong pastoral instincts and a caring nature
- patience, sensitivity, empathy and a sense of humour
- ability to cope calmly and effectively with emergencies when they arise and to inspire confidence
- resilient and capable of working under pressure
- flexibility to deal with the changing needs of a busy health centre and the ability to adapt one’s approach being sensitive to the needs of the individual
- good team player, cooperative, approachable, helpful and positive
- self-motivated and able to motivate others
- able to lead and delegate effectively
- excellent interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills
- good time management, organisation and administration skills
- a willingness to undertake training to keep knowledge of mental and physical health needs and best practice treatment up to date - committed to continuous self-development
- sympathy with the values and ethos of the School
Terms of Appointment
Type of Contract
Permanent, full time, term time
This post will form part of a shift system which will include day time hours (8am - 6pm), some weekends and nights. The post holder should expect to work 46-48 hours per week. Headington School has its own pay scales, however this senior role is broadly in line with NHS Agenda for Pay Band 7 (depending on skills and experience)
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.
Fee remission
In accordance with the School’s policy, which may be subject to change, up to 50 per cent fee remission for pupils attending Headington School Oxford and up to 20 per cent fee remission for boys attending Magdalen College School (under a reciprocal agreement) and subject to the terms of their policy. Fee remission is calculated on the number of weeks and hours worked and is pro rata for part-time staff who work at least 50 per cent of a normal working week.
Salary
£47k per annum
Additional Benefits
Free school lunches are provided. 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 shortlisted candidates and will approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications, before the interview. 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.
Application deadline: Monday 2nd November 2026
Interviews: week commencing Monday 9th November 2026
Applications are 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 as once we have closed a vacancy you will be unable to submit your application form.
All appointments are subject to satisfactory completion of all employment checks, ie references, Disclosure and Barring Service, medical questionnaire, Right to Work in the UK. Headington School 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.
