Day House Matron

The College has grown significantly in the past seven years, with pupil numbers rising 40% as the result of the opening of our Lower School in 2016, and growth throughout the rest of the College. We admit pupils into Years 7, 9, and 12, and each year around 220 new children join our community, with an average of five pupils applying for every space.

Epsom is a happy school. Almost all our pupils remain with us for their A-levels, and staff retention is equally strong. Around 60% of staff live onsite, which lends the College a real sense of community and togetherness.

From 8am until 6pm, our 72-acre campus is alive with learning; academic lessons also take place on Saturday mornings meaning that pupils have time each day to learn and develop outside the classroom. Our co-curricular programme – which features a vast array of clubs, societies and activities each week – is award-winning (picking up the ‘Best of the Best’ accolade from The Week for six consecutive years); our CCF is one of the largest in the UK; and our Duke of Edinburgh programme currently has over 100 pupils completing their Gold or Silver award.

In addition, our timetable features wellbeing lessons, an award-winning Personal Social Development offering, and an hour each week for volunteering in the community. Last year Epsom pupils gave 9,830 hours of their time to help local charities, schools, and community groups.

When pupils aren’t busy with all of the above, they can relax and catch up with friends in their House. We have 13 single-sex Houses for all our pupils from Year 9 upwards (whether they are day pupils or boarders). This combination of single sex accommodation within a co-ed environment gives us the best of both worlds.

The fact our houses are physical buildings, where pupils can step through the door into a space that’s entirely their own, is key to the success of our pastoral programme. This was part of the reason why Epsom was named Independent School of the Year for Student Wellbeing (2022-23).

Sport is central to the College. We have been named the top co-ed school for sport in south east England, and compete in county and national finals in all our major sports across all age groups. Over 22 sports are offered to our pupils, and the aim is to encourage participation for all – we regularly field D and E teams, and see an average of 90% of pupils playing competitive fixtures.

Our focus on delivering an all-round education, that develops the whole child, is regularly celebrated. In the past four years, in both the TES and Independent School of the Year Awards, we have been a finalist in the categories of Boarding School of The Year, Co-Ed School of the Year, SLT of the Year, Creativity in Teaching, Student Wellbeing, Community Initiative, and Sporting Achievement. We were voted the overall winner at the Independent School of the Year awards (2022-23), and the Sunday Times’ most improved school in the UK for 2024.

We hope that you are excited by the opportunity to come and join the fantastic teachers and operational staff who work here.

The House

A Matron works closely with the Housemaster/mistress to care for and promote all personalities, talents and interests of pupils in the House. Both a Housemaster/mistress and a Matron act as guardians of the potential of all pupils in their House and they promote the collective experience of living in a school community.

The Position

The key role of the House Matron is helping to ensure the general well-being and supervision of all the pupils within the House. The position requires significant involvement in the pastoral and health care of all pupils in the House, together with administrative responsibilities, under the direction of the Housemaster/mistress as well as supervising the cleaning and house laundry services. All support staff are required to participate in a regular appraisal of their performance.

A Matron will report directly to the Housemaster/mistress and, accordingly, to the Head of Facilities and, ultimately, the COO.

There are six key overall responsibilities of the Day House Matron:-

1 To provide proactive pastoral and supervisory support in the House in line with safeguarding procedures and protocols.

2 To be the primary point of contact for any pupil in the House who may be feeling unwell or who needs medical/dental treatment during the school day.

3 To provide administrative support for the Housemaster or Housemistress using the College’s management information systems.

4 To be the point of contact with parents/guardians for any routine matters, taking messages for the Housemaster/mistress as necessary.

5 To be responsible for daily cleaning of the House and closely liaise with the Assistant Matron, ensuring that the provision of housekeeping care is consistent with the College’s high standards.

6 To monitor the wear and tear of the house and arrange for any repairs where necessary.

Pastoral and Administrative Responsibilities

• To help new pupils settle in the House

• To assist the Housemaster/mistress in creating a friendly and happy atmosphere in the House.

• To assist pupils through periods of uncertainty and difficulty, but without intrusion. It is a careful and important balance: pupils are encouraged to talk about problems with those who can help, but also are also encouraged towards mature resolution of them through their own thought and effort.

• To supervise pupils and be the adult responsible within the House throughout the day.

• To liaise regularly with the Housemaster/mistress and Tutors over concerns about pupils well being.

• To be the point of contact for parents over housekeeping matters such as arranging taxis etc. Take messages for the Housemaster/mistress and inform him/her of matters as and when they arise.

• To assist the Housemaster/mistress with routine administration using the College’s management information systems.

• To assess illness and injuries, deal with minor problems and administer daily medicine where deemed appropriate by the Medical Centre.

• To be a source of awareness of pupils’ behaviour and be ready to alert the Housemaster/mistress about areas of concern, both positive and negative.

• To communicate with the pupils as required to ensure a well ordered House.

• To monitor the daily routines of the pupils including punctuality, registration, attendance at activities, school events, issuing town leave, and ensuring the ethos of the school and high standards of behaviour are maintained at all times.

• To ensure that the pupils are correctly and appropriately dressed when leaving the House, eg full school uniform, correct games kit, etc.

• Under the direction of the Housemaster/mistress maintain administrative records of the pupils and undertake routine administration, eg off games chits, accident reports, allocation of study keys/billing when lost,

• To assist the Housemaster/mistress in organising and attending House events, open days, etc

• To have a full understanding of child protection procedures within the school and the National Boarding Standards in so far as they apply to day students. The Matron will be required to attend training from time to time

• To attend specific training, on occasion, as directed by line-managers.

• To ensure effective processes are in place to maintain continuity of care and housekeeping standards whilst the Assistant Matron is on duty.

• To report to the Head of Facilities or designate with regard to the scope, timing and extent of all housekeeping duties.

• To undertake all housekeeping/cleaning duties within the House on a daily basis.

• To order and maintain food supplies. (eg, milk, bread, snacks)

• To maintain and update the soft furnishings, pictures, photographs etc in the House and agree with the Housemaster/mistress replacements each year.

• To adhere to the housekeeping standards, workflow sequences and work schedules.

• To ensure that all areas are cleaned according to the work schedules.

• To plan, arrange and assist in all deep cleaning duties as necessary.

• To oversee all areas of responsibility within the house to ensure sufficient stock levels of materials and that appropriate equipment is available as necessary.

• To maintain all housekeeping necessary records.

• To attend all mandatory and relevant training as required by the Head of Facilities or designate.

• To report any defects, using the maintenance Every system, monitor progress of issues and label and remove from service all defective items.

• To ensure that all Domestic house staff are aware of their responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work etc., Act, 1974.

• To ensure that they adhere to all relevant regulations, i.e., Fire Precautions, Manual Handling, C.O.S.H.H. etc.

• To ensure that the Head of Facilities is informed of all personnel concerns.

• To ensure all domestic cleaning staff are aware of child protection procedures, implications of strangers on campus, and all staff are conscious of their security responsibilities.

• To undertake any other reasonable task as directed by the Head of Facilities and Housemaster/mistress and other Senior Leadership Team members.

• Prepare the House at the end of the summer holidays ready for the next academic year.

Epsom College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects the Matron to fully embrace this commitment.

Essential

– People management experience.

– Experience of working without direct supervision.

– Experience of working with children or within a school environment.

– An understanding and knowledge of safeguarding procedures within a school environment

– Qualified First Aider at Work (or willing to attend training and qualify).

– Good written and verbal communication skills in response to pupils, parents and staff.

– Comprehensive knowledge and experience of professional Housekeeping requirements.

– Experience in cleaning to specified standards within a commercial environment and ideally supervising responsibilities.

– Possess strong organisational skills.

– Evidence of IT skills with a good knowledge of Word, email and school IT systems. – Basic administrative skills (eg record keeping, managing budget allocation, and filing.)

– An ability to adapt, show initiative and be flexible in approach to role and responsibilities.

Desirable

– Able to drive/own car (eg purchase/ collect source new items for the house in agreement with the Housemaster/mistress)

– Experience of working in a school environment.

– A childcare/nursing experience or qualification.

Essential Person attributes

– Enjoy working with young people

– Encouraging and motivating with a professional approach and a strong ethos in supporting pupils to achieve their potential

– A commitment to safeguarding ethos.

– Approachable and empathetic and patient

– Good listening skills and objective

– Tactful, diplomatic and discreet

– A sense of humour and cheerful disposition

– Firm but fair and even tempered when dealing with situations.

– Sensitive to other people’s needs and respect for their opinions

– Warm, caring and nurturing

– Enthusiastic and positive

– Flexible and adaptable approach

The selection panel reserves the right to enhance any or all of the desirable criteria to attain a manageable field.

Hours: 34 weeks term time + 4 weeks.

• during term time working 5 days per week spread over 6 days with every fourth Saturday off and one designated day off during the week (currently a Friday) when working the Saturday

• 8am – 6pm week days and 8am – 3pm Saturdays.

• during the holidays (in addition to term time working): First week and last week of summer holidays, 1 week during Easter and Christmas holidays (3 days at the beginning of the holidays and 2 days at the end of the Christmas and Easter holidays). Holiday working hours will be 8am – 1.30pm Monday – Friday.

Salary:

Based on the above working arrangement a total salary of £35,488 per annum inclusive of holiday entitlement paid monthly in arrears on 25th of the month.

Holidays:

The holiday entitlement is a total of 33 days paid holiday per annum inclusive of bank holidays pro-rated for part time working and taken at the earliest opportunity during the College’s published holiday dates. Holiday entitlement has been calculated and paid within the above total salary.

Pension:

The College operates the Epsom College Automatic Enrolment Scheme. The Scheme is administered by the Pensions Trust. Eligibility is based on statutory criteria. If eligible, the Employee will be required to contribute a minimum of 5% of Basic Salary and the College will contribute 4% in compliance with pension regulations.

Life Assurance:

Members who are automatically enrolled or who choose to opt into the College Pension Scheme will be provided with life assurance cover at two x contractual annual basic salary subject to scheme rules at no cost to the employee.

School Fee Discount:

Subject to qualifying conditions a generous school fee discount is offered.

Refreshments:

Free refreshments available and free meals when the dining room is open during break times.

Health care plan:

Private healthcare and well-being plan offered to staff subject to qualifying conditions.

Health, Fitness and Wellbeing:

Free use of Fitness suite and swimming pool are available to staff at certain times.

Employee Assistance Programme:

The College offers an employee assistance programme including counselling and other support services.

Cycle to Work:

Subject to qualifying conditions, the College offers a cycle to work loan scheme

Parking:

Free car parking for staff is available on campus.

Computer Loan:

Subject to qualifying conditions, the College offers a computer loan scheme.

In compliance with safer recruitment regulations, the post will be offered subject to receipt of satisfactory written references, pre-placement medical assessment, proof of appropriate qualifications, a check of online search engines and websites of publicly available information that does not identify the candidate as potentially unsuitable to work within a school setting, a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service and overseas police check if appropriate, as well as confirmation that the successful candidate is able to work in the UK. Prior to interview, an online search of internet search engines, websites and other publicly available and publicly accessible platforms to ascertain applicant’s suitability to work within a school environment will be undertaken on applicants that have been shortlisted. Please note whilst the Enhanced DBS check will be paid by the College if an overseas police check is required it will be at the cost of the successful applicant

Applicants are required to complete the Application for Employment Form available from our website www.epsomcollege.org.uk. To comply with safeguarding procedures when working in a school, CVs cannot be accepted. Applicants should refer to the Recruitment, Selection and Disclosure and the safeguarding policies on the College website.

Applications will be assessed in order of receipt and interviews and appointment may occur at any stage after applications are received. Please apply as soon as possible.

Applicants are encouraged to contact Kay Wright, Head of Facilities, tele 01372 821260 for an informal chat or further information.