Pastoral Assistant Head of House

Assistant Head of House (Maternity Cover)

This is a non-resident, non-teaching post that is based in a boarding house, covering the pastoral care for pupils during the school day.

Location: Godalming

Salary: £34,424 per annum

Closing date: Thursday 23 April 2026

Charterhouse is a beautiful school in a 250-acre campus - a wonderful setting for the whole community to live and work together and a splendid backdrop for teaching and learning.

Starting in September 2026, we are seeking an enthusiastic and resilient individual for a fixed term for the purpose of maternity cover (anticipated until June 2027) to manage the Boarding House during the School 'day' ensuring that pupils are safe, secure and supported through proactive pastoral care, effective supervision of pupils and behaviour and efficient communication, organisation and administration of all House routines and regulatory requirements as outlined in the Boarding Handbook.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Proactive Pastoral Care

Proactive pastoral care is based on supportive relationships with pupils built on clear structures and routines, well-understood boundaries and expectations as well as relentless patience and (almost) boundless good humour. It is also based on carefully listening to and respecting their point of view, even when we may not be able to go along with their ideas. The most important part of this role is to be genuinely interested in, and enjoy talking to around 65 adolescents every single day!

Effective Supervision of Pupil and Behaviour

This is achieved through a combination of visibility and a certain amount of unpredictability! Working from the ground floor House office, but not being tied to it; popping along corridors and to rooms to catch a pupil for a conversation regularly so that pupils 'expect' you to be about, all helps create a positive less risk-prone environment.

Communication, Organisation & Administration

Keeping track of around 65 pupils and ensuring their parents and guardians fill out all the necessary paperwork as and when needed is quite a challenge. Even more so as much of the information we have to collect is a regulatory requirement. On the other hand, it can be just as hard to collect each pupil's mufti donation or to get them to an appointment at the HHC on time.

Person Specification

Essential

• A desire to look after and support teenagers as they grow and develop into thoughtful and considerate young adults.
• A warm, empathetic and welcoming manner and the ability to develop positive, supportive relationships with the young people in your care.
• Successful experience in a role requiring supportive relationships and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• IT literate and confident, with a good knowledge of MS Office and the ability to learn other systems used in running a House/School e.g., ISAMS, CPOMS etc.
• The ability to multi-task work flexibly and independently balancing differing and sometimes conflicting priorities.
• An instinct for recognizing the difference between important and urgent.
• The ability to remain calm in a real crisis but also to keep a sense of perspective.
• A positive, 'can-do' attitude and an open mind.
• Excellent all-round communication skills, including tact and diplomacy.
• Strong organisational and administrative skills.
• The confidence to deal calmly and professionally with challenging conversations.
• Good with data and numbers.
• Persistence, patience and a good sense of humour because adolescents will sometimes get things wrong, repeatedly.
• Discretion and the ability to work in an environment requiring high levels of confidentiality.
• To be physically fit, able to climb stairs and walk extensively around the boarding house as required for the job. A full, clean driving licence and a car that can be used for work purposes when required.

Desirable

• Previous experience working with young people/adolescents.
• Experience of/training in First Aid.

This is a non-residential role, predominantly term-time, plus:

• the week before and after the start and finish of the school year
• three days in the full weeks before and after the start and finish all other terms (to allow for the usual day-off arrangements where needed)
• attendance at other essential training during holiday periods by prior arrangement.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Charterhouse School, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application.