Boarding Assistant

At The Prebendal School, boarding is about much more than a place to stay after the school day. It gives children a welcoming home during the school week: somewhere to share their day, enjoy time with friends and feel supported as they grow in independence.

We are looking for a warm, dependable Boarding Assistant to help care for our boarders and support the smooth running of the boarding house. This is a hands-on pastoral role for someone who enjoys working with children, notices when they need encouragement or reassurance, and brings calm good judgement to a busy evening.

Prebendal is an independent day and boarding preparatory school in the heart of Chichester and the choir school of Chichester Cathedral. Our boarding community includes Cathedral Choristers, whose musical commitments are woven into school life.

The Role

Working pattern: Friday evening to Monday morning. Including sleep-in.

Contract type: Full-time, permanent

Salary: Dependent on experience

Start date: Immediate start available

The Boarding Assistant reports to the Head of Boarding and plays a vital role in promoting the health, safety, and wellbeing of our pupils. As a night worker, you will remain awake throughout your duty to ensure excellent supervision, complete essential housekeeping tasks, and uphold the highest standards of pastoral care.

Working alongside the Houseparents and wider boarding team, you will:

• Help boarders settle into their daily routines, from arrival and mealtimes to homework, activities and bedtime.

• Build positive, professional relationships with pupils, offering practical help and a listening ear when they need one.

• Provide support to boarders as they develop confidence and independence.

• Supervise pupils during study time, free time and boarding activities.

• Help organise enjoyable activities and support outings where these form part of the duty rota.

• Share relevant information about pupils’ wellbeing with the Houseparents and follow the school’s safeguarding procedures.

• Carry out routine house checks and report maintenance or safety concerns promptly.

• Work closely with the wider boarding team to help make the boarding house a safe, welcoming and well-organised place to live.

About You

You will be approachable, patient and attentive to children’s needs. You will communicate well with pupils and colleagues, remain calm when plans change and understand the importance of confidentiality and professional boundaries.

Experience of working with children in a school, boarding, childcare or youth setting would be helpful. More important is a genuine commitment to their welfare and a willingness to learn the routines of the house. You will need to be comfortable working the evening and weekend hours required by the role.

Why Join Prebendal?

You will join a close-knit school community where staff know pupils as individuals and play a meaningful part in their daily lives. The role offers the chance to develop pastoral experience in a distinctive school with close ties to Chichester Cathedral.

Our staff benefits include:

• Professional development opportunities

• Wellbeing programme

• Refer a Friend scheme

• Life assurance

• Company sick-pay

• Food provided

• On-site parking

The Prebendal School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. The successful applicant will be subject to appropriate pre-employment checks, including references and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974; applicants will be given information about the disclosure requirements as part of the recruitment process.