JOB DESCRIPTION - SCHOOL MATRON (GAP) 2017
Main Purpose:
The School Matron is part of a support team that works within the school and all the boarding house to ensure the welfare and happiness of the children. The Matron supports the Houseparents and Senior Matron in the care of the children in house and takes a pride in the presentation of the boarding houses. The School Matron must work in conjunction with the policies of the school and is responsible for being familiar with them. The School Matron needs to communicate professionally and confidently with parents, Houseparents and all staff. The Joint Heads of Boarding are the direct line managers, to whom this post is accountable.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The School Matron will:
- Provide cover in all houses when Houseparents or Gap Matrons are unwell or otherwise absent, with priority being given to the senior houses
- Provide support in-house for Houseparents absent on maternity leave as required, not exceeding 30 hours a week in one house
- Provide cover in Dragon Health Centre (DHC) during periods of staff absence or high levels of pupil sickness in the school
- Assist with clubs & activities and also provide classroom assistance
They may also opt to become more involved within school during their free time.
Routine
When providing cover in the boarding house the School Matron is responsible for supervising the children’s routine in House and at mealtimes. This includes:
- Simple laundry, following a washing rota
- Tidying the dormitories
- Answering the telephone
- Looking after the children on their return to house during break time or any other time when they return to house
- Minor sewing
- Supporting the cleaning staff
- Helping with unpacking/packing at the beginning and end of term
- Handing over to the house staff
- Generally helping to ensure that the house runs smoothly
- Taking children to the doctor, dentist, optician etc as required
- Recording information on Medical Dams
The duties and responsibilities highlighted in this Job Description are indicative and may vary. Post holders are also expected to undertake other duties and responsibilities that may be relevant to the nature, level and extent of the post and the school.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
- Salary: £7,513.39 a year
- Hours: 45 hrs per week
BENEFITS:
- In normal circumstances the School Matron will have 1.5 days off each week and free time each day as agreed by the Joint Heads of Boarding. Occasionally free time may have to be sacrificed due to unforeseen circumstances, particularly in the last week of term, although every endeavour will be made to provide alternative time off instead.
- The School Matron is entitled to a minimum of 13 weeks holiday, to be taken during school holidays.Bank Holidays may be working days, depending on when they fall.
- The School Matron is required to work three days before the beginning of each term and three days after the end of each term.
- The School Matron is given furnished termtime accommodation in school and all heating, lighting and meals are provided free during the term time only, inclusive of the three working days either side of the holidays (estimated worth approx. £10,000 a year)
- Accommodation is only available during holidays with the prior discretionary agreement of the Headmaster
- The School Matron is required to observe the security and fire regulations of the house and school and comply with these at all times. Visitors would normally be expected to leave by 11 o’clock and the School Matron may not entertain overnight guests. The School Matron may not smoke anywhere in the school and should maintain a high standard of behaviour, as guided by the line manager, and set a good example to the children.
The Dragon School Trust Ltd is registered as a company, number 524331 and as a charity, number 309676 in England and Wales at Bardwell Road, Oxford, OX2 6SS
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Key to assessment methods; (a) application form, (i) interview, (r) references, (o) others e.g. case studies/visits; (c) certificates
Requirement / Essential / Desirable / Assessed by:- Personal qualities
b)Resilience and demonstrated ability to work in a variety of settings
c)Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
d)Sensitivity to the needs of others
e)Openness and willingness to address and discuss relevant issues
f)Ability to work harmoniously with colleagues and pupils of all cultures and backgrounds
g)Ability to work under pressure and with competing priorities
h)Willingness to become involved in the wider school community / (a); (i); (r)
- Skills
b)Ability to form and maintain appropriate relationships and personal boundaries with children
c)Ability to create a happyand effective boarding environment
d)Ability to establish productive partnerships with pupils, parents, carers and the wider community of the school
e)Ability to demonstrate honesty and integrity and uphold public trust and confidence in the school
f)Ability to be adaptable and solve problems
g)Strong interpersonal skills
h)Ability to communicate, both written and orally
i)Ability to persuade, influence and negotiate
j)Ability to prioritise and juggle multiple tasks simultaneously / (a); (i); (r)
- Knowledge and understanding
b)Confident use of information and communication technology (ICT) / (a); (i); (r)
- Experience
b)Evidence of working successfully as a member of a team
c)Evidence of school, business, voluntary or community involvement / d)Evidence of living or working away from home
e)Basic first aid / (a); (i); (r); (c)
5. Other requirements / a)Knowledge of a second language / (a); (i); (r); (c)
The Dragon School Trust Ltd is registered as a company, number 524331 and as a charity, number 309676 in England and Wales at Bardwell Road, Oxford, OX2 6SS