Vacancy

Junior School Matron

The Matron is a key member of the Pastoral Team in the Boarding House, and as such, has an important role to play in the care, welfare and happiness of the students in the House.

The Matron is directly responsible in the first instance to the Head of the Junior school, the Deputy Head of the Junior School and, through them, to the Director of Pastoral Care.

The Matron will also be required to attend to matters a few days before the start of each term and after the end of each term, in consultation with the Headmaster of the Junior School and one other matron.

The role of Matron encompasses the following duties:

Pastoral

To provide an adult presence in the House during the hours specified in the Matron’s contract and to give students help, support and encouragement where appropriate under guidance from the Headmaster.
To be aware of the organisational requirements of the Junior School in terms of student attendance at lessons, examinations and activities.
To monitor pupil presence and activity in the House when pupils are off games, and report any problems to the Headmaster. Any visiting staff are required to report to the Matron if they enter the residential section of the House.
To encourage pupils to maintain high standards of hygiene, appearance and behaviour.
To work closely with other members of the Pastoral Team and liaise with the ancillary and support services which exist at Junior School level.
To accompany boarders to breakfast, lunch and, where appropriate, evening supper, uphold good manners and monitor eating habits appropriately.

Organisational

To ensure that the House Daily Logbook is kept up-to-date, stored securely at all times and is passed to the Headmaster before the end of the day.
To monitor the on-going cleanliness of the House to ensure that it complies with the Service Level Agreement set up between the House and Domestic Services.
In conjunction with the Headmaster, to ensure that domestic routines are adjusted, where appropriate, to cater for special events, such as visits, open days etc.
To answer the telephone, record messages and provide personal reception at the House for visitors, including parents, prospective parents, maintenance staff and representatives from outside organisations on School business.
To assist the Headmaster in the organisation of students' travel arrangements.
To report and record maintenance issues, liaising with the appropriate department to ensure timely resolution.
To organise the ordering, labelling and collection by the appropriate company of items of luggage as required.
To assist with the arrangements for the ordering and distribution of student’s stationery requirements.

Uniform & Property

To be responsible for checking each student’s uniform at the start of the year.
To monitor the appearance of students, taking appropriate action to ensure that they are smartly dressed, conducting specific checks on certain items and generally encouraging the students to take pride in their appearance.
To guide the students in the proper care and organisation of their clothing.
To be responsible for minor repairs and some naming of clothing.
With the Headmaster and other staff, to share the responsibility for the tidiness and appearance of the House.
With the Headmaster and other staff, to play a key role in property issues, in order to locate missing items, and to promote an ethos of respect for the property of others.

Laundry

To be responsible for the supervision of the despatch of all laundry to the School Laundry, ensuring that the Laundry Guidelines are followed.
To be responsible for the supervision of the House laundry.
In the House laundry, to help out occasionally with the washing, sorting and returning of clothes.
Clean up after incidences of sickness and bedwetting.
To endeavour to ensure that all bed linen is changed on the appropriate day and bagged for collection.

Medical

To provide some basic medical care under the guidance of the Nurse Manager or duty nurse in the School Medical Centre, ensuring that all procedures are correctly followed.
After consultation with the Medical Centre, to administer paracetamol to students, ensuring that all such administrations are accurately recorded in the log provided.
To refer students to the Medical Centre when there is a concern about their condition.
In exceptional situations, to accompany students on routine medical or dental appointments, including all students under 16 seeing an Optician.
To provide information and offer advice on health issues within the House and to maintain an up-to-date supply of appropriate leaflets and information packs.

Safety

To monitor the security of the House, ensuring the entrances are secured on the code locks.
To be aware of the Fire Regulations and monitor adherence to them by students.
To ensure that Fire Exits are clear at all times.
If required, in the absence of the Headmaster or Assistant House Master/Mistress, to conduct an evacuation of the House according to all the required procedures.
To report any concerns about Safety issues to the Headmaster.
To assist in ensuring that all electrical items in the possession of students are tested according to School safety requirements.

Management & Appraisal

All Matrons are required to attend fortnightly Matrons’ Meetings and will be appraised by the Director of Pastoral Care on a two-yearly rolling system.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential
Recognised childcare qualification
Experience of working with children

Desirable
Counselling qualification
Games/coaching qualification

Experience

Essential
Three years' experience of child-care related work
IT skills

Special aptitudes/abilities

Essential
Good time management
Ability to prioritise workload
Able to work on own initiative
Mature approach to confidentiality
Excellent telephone manner