Residential Director of Boarding; Non-Teaching

This is a permanent, full-time role from September 2026

Closing date:
Wednesday 4th February 2026
Start date: 1st September 2026

The School reserves the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Boarding is central to life at The Purcell School and Houseparents play a vital role in the wellbeing of our students, taking full responsibility for their welfare during term time.

This full-time role takes senior managerial responsibility for the whole boarding experience including NMS compliance; the leadership, management and professional development of Houseparents and Boarding Staff; the induction of students; oversight of wellbeing provision within boarding; oversight of the boarding activities and the management of student behaviour ‘out-of-hours’.

Our students are hugely gifted and lead extremely demanding lives balancing academic and musical life, so it is vital that they receive outstanding care in their Houses, feel well supported and truly feel that we are their ‘home from home’. School must be somewhere they live, rather than somewhere they simply stay. If you understand the distinction, this position could be for you!

The Director of Boarding needs to have a clear vision for the boarding experience and will be supported to achieve it.

The School has three boarding houses:
Avison (Co-Ed, Years 7-9);
Sunley (Girls, Years 10 –13) and Ellington (Boys, Year 10-13; Girls Years 12-13) and these are staffed by three resident Houseparents, Assistant Houseparents, Day Staff and a team of Resident Graduate Assistants.

The Director of Boarding is a member of the School’s SLT (Senior Leadership Team) and, as such, will devise policy and advise the Principal on best practice, resources and the appointment of boarding staff. Hours of work will vary according to need but on site presence will be required during “boarding time” (i.e. evenings and weekends) to ensure support for Houseparents, students and parents.

In brief, it is envisaged that the operational and residential running of the School will be ‘handed over’ to the Director of Boarding during these times. The Director of Boarding will be supported by the Vice-Principal and Principal. This is a non‑teaching post.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of boarding at one of the world’s most celebrated schools. The School is committed to ensuring that students are safe, happy and healthy at all times, and this role is pivotal in ensuring we meet that aspiration. The role is demanding and challenging during term time and will require significant personal resilience.

SLT members need to be able to deal effectively with the unexpected whenever it occurs (across a range of issues) and need to understand that we work whatever hours are necessary to “get the job done” during term time. Good decision‑making under pressure is essential.

If you are energetic, ambitious and creative; if you are an experienced boarding and/orpastoral practitioner who genuinely enjoys the company of young people and who would relish the challenge of an SLT level role, this would be a fantastic opportunity for you!

This is a full‑time post. The salary will be based on the School’s salary scale, according to the successful candidate’s experience, with a contributory pension scheme. This is a residential position and the postholder will be required to live on site during term‑time. A three bedroom house will be made available free of any rent or utility charges.

Meals are available and free of charge in the School dining hall during term‑time.

There is a sixth month probationary period. This post is subject to regular appraisal.

If you wish to apply, please complete the School’s Application Form (available on our website) and send it with a supporting Personal Statement to the Principal as soon as possible. Please do not send a separate curriculum vitae.

Personal statements should outline your experience and evidence your achievements. If you have a specific area of specialism or industry experience, please demonstrate how this enables you to…