Resident Graduate Assistants

We are seeking Resident Graduate Assistants to join us from September 2024
This is an exceptional opportunity for a recent graduate of any discipline to gain valuable experience supporting and looking after some of the country’s most gifted young musicians.

This role would be the perfect first job for a graduate considering a career in teaching, pastoral care or working with young people in any other context. Extensive training will be given in all aspects of safeguarding. as well as around boarding and mental health first aid.
We welcome applicants from any background (especially music and performance related disciplines) and will facilitate opportunities to gain experience working in a relevant curriculum area, if this is desired. For example, recent music RGAs have joined ensembles and choirs, assisted music teachers and have even led major performances and projects in their spare time.

At this time we are particularly keen to recruit Sports graduates to assist with a range of recreational sports activities. 

We want our boarders to enjoy living here and we strive to provide outstanding pastoral care and support. Each of our three boarding houses is supervised by at least two resident staff. The successful candidate will support Houseparents with the day-to-day care of our boarders, overnight cover, and will respond positively to the needs and interests of our students. They will play a significant part in ensuring that our young musicians are safe, happy and healthy and will be able to lead and facilitate a range of recreational activities for boarders.

If you are caring, people-focused, enjoy the company of young people and think you would enjoy a busy residential lifestyle, we would be delighted to hear from you.

JOB TITLE: Resident Graduate Assistant

All members of staff are ultimately answerable to the Principal.
Your line manager will be a Houseparent.
 

This job specification sets out the duties of the post at the time of drafting.
Specific responsibilities are as follows:
 

FOR THE ROLE:
 

● To supervise, support and care for members of a designated boarding house and provide pastoral care to all students of the School as required.
● To organise, supervise and promote a range of social and recreational activities in the evenings and at weekends.
● To follow Health Safety guidelines at all times and to undertake Risk Assessments as required.
● To assist Houseparents with the day-to-day care of boarders.
● To support the smooth-running of the house by contributing to the duty rota. Up to three nights overnight “on call” will be required per week.
● To be in residence for 48 hours prior to and after the end of each term to assist with the preparation and closing of the boarding house.
● To participate in School Inset meetings.
● To contribute to the School’s extra-curricular and/or boarding provision.
● To assist occasionally at whole school events.

Experience and Knowledge:

A degree in any discipline
Experience of leading activities for young people
Excellent knowledge and understanding of the concepts and skills essential for student success
Knowledge of (or a good instinct for) the pastoral support of young people
Some experience of working in a residential setting (boarding school, summer school, residential trip)

Ability and Skills:
 

The ability to use an imaginative range of strategies to engage and motivate gifted young musicians
The ability to engage with students and develop positive and meaningful working relationships
The ability to establish a safe and purposeful working atmosphere in which students feel secure and confident both in lessons and in their boarding houses
The ability to work as a proactive member of a team
The ability to take initiative and solve problems
Excellent communication, planning and organisation

Personal Attributes:

An ability to inspire students of all levels and abilities
Enthusiasm, energy and imagination
Willingness to play a full part in the life of the School
Commitment to student success
Personal warmth and the ability to connect with students in a meaningful way

TERMS AND CONDITIONS
 

The Purcell School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and  expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Full-time position. It is a fixed term, two year contract with the possibility of termination after one year.
 

Start date: September 2024

The salary will be in the region of £14,500 per annum.
 

The post holder is required to live on site. Single accommodation is provided in a boarding house every day of the contract period. Accommodation (which may be shared) is provided free of rent, council tax and all utilities. Meals are available and are free of charge in the School dining room during term time. 

There is a sixth month probationary period, with notice of one term on either side, after which the post will be confirmed, with a notice period of two terms. This post is subject to regular appraisal.