Assistant Matron – Granville House

There are six key overall responsibilities of the Asst Matron:

• On a daily basis play a key role in the Domestic team working within the boarding house, maintaining designated areas in a hygienic and satisfactory condition according to work schedules and set standards agreed with the Matron.
• In the absence of the Matron to assist in providing proactive pastoral and supervisory support in the House.
• In the absence of the Matron, 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.
• In the absence of the Matron, to be the point of contact with parents/guardians for any routine matters, taking messages for the Housemaster/mistress as necessary.
• In the absence of the Matron to supervise the team of Domestic Assistants in the House ensuring that the provision of housekeeping care is consistent with the College’s high standards.
• To assist in monitoring the wear and tear of the house and, in the absence of the Matron, arrange for any repairs where necessary.

General House Duties (when working for the Matron)

• To ensure that all student study areas and common rooms are cleaned according to work schedules and set standards.
• To maintain all bathroom, toilet and shower areas in a hygienic condition according to set standards.
• To maintain all kitchen/brewroom areas in a hygienic condition according to set standards.
• To ensure that all floors are maintained to a high level of cleanliness and cleaned in accordance with set standards.
• To assist in sorting both cleaned and soiled laundry items as required.
• To ensure that all cleaning storerooms are maintained in a tidy, safe and hygienic condition.
• To ensure that C.O.S.H.H. regulations relating to any cleaning product are adhered to.
• To report all defects to the Matron.
• To maintain a co-operative relationship with staff, students and housemaster/mistress within your area of responsibility.
• To assist in any other areas of the College as may be required by the Facilities Manager.
• To attend all mandatory and relevant training as required by the Facilities Manager.
• To undertake any other reasonable task as directed by the Facilities Manager.
• To be aware of responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. To adhere to all relevant regulations. i.e. Fire Precautions, Manual Handling, C.O.S.H.H. etc.
• To undertake any other reasonable task as directed by the Facilities Manager and Housemaster/mistress and to adopt a flexible approach to the role.
• To be aware of the implications of strangers on campus and conscious of your security responsibilities.

Pastoral Responsibilities (in the Absence of the Matron)

• To liaise closely with the Matron in order to cover absence efficiently and effectively.
• To supervise pupils and be the adult responsible within the House throughout the day.
• Liaise with the Housemaster/mistress and Tutors over concerns about pupils’ well-being.
• Be the point of contact for parents over housekeeping matters such as routine medical appointments, arranging taxis etc. Take messages for the Housemaster/mistress and inform him/her of matters as and when they arise.
• To assess illness and injuries, deal with minor problems and administer daily medicine where deemed appropriate by the Medical Centre.
• Accompany boarding pupils on medical appointments including visits to Accident and Emergency, as required.
• Oversee pupils’ behaviour in the House, and be ready to alert the Housemaster/mistress both to areas of concern and commendation.
• Communicate effectively with pupils to ensure a well ordered House.
• To ensure that pupils are correctly and appropriately dressed when leaving the House; for example, full school uniform, correct games kit, etc.
• To have a full understanding of child protection procedures within the school and uphold the National Boarding Standards.
• To attend specific training, on occasion, as directed by line-managers.

General Housekeeping Duties (in the Absence of the Matron)

• To report to the Facilities Manager with regard to the scope, timing and extent of all housekeeping duties.
• To co-ordinate and undertake housekeeping/cleaning duties on a daily basis.
• To order and maintain food supplies. (eg, milk, bread, snacks)
• To communicate the housekeeping standards, workflow sequences and work schedules to Domestic staff.
• To ensure that all areas are cleaned according to the work schedules.
• To cover cleaning duties in the case of staff absence.
• To oversee all deep cleaning duties as agreed with the Matron.
• To oversee all areas of responsibility within the house to ensure sufficient stock levels of materials and quality of equipment is available as necessary.
• To sort pupils’ personal laundry for both collection by, and on return from, the Laundry.
• To sort pupils’ dry cleaning for collection by, and on return from, the contractor.
• To ensure that all bed linen is changed, as required.
• To report and record all staff absence/sickness/annual leave.
• To maintain all housekeeping records.
• To report any defects, using the Maintenance Chit system, monitor progress of Maintenance Chits, and label and remove from service all defective items.
• To ensure that all House domestic staff dress appropriately in the uniform provided.
• To ensure that the Facilities Manager is informed of all personnel matters.
• To assist in ensuring the House is ready for external commercial lets at the end of term.
• To supervise the smooth running of the House during holiday periods and be responsible for the team of Domestic Assistants.
• To assist in preparing the House at the end of the commercial lets ready for the next academic year.

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

Essential

• Experience of working without direct supervision.
• Experience of working with children or within a school environment.
• Enjoy working with young people.
• Possess good listening skills, a sense of humour, and an even temper when dealing with all situations.
• Ability to be firm but fair when dealing with pupils.
• Present a warm, friendly and empathetic personality when dealing with both adults and pupils.
• Demonstrate tact and diplomacy and maintain confidentiality.
• 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.
• Knowledge of professional Housekeeping requirements.
• Experience in cleaning to specified standards within a commercial environment and ideally supervising responsibilities.
• Possess strong organisational skills.
• Good IT skills with knowledge of Word, email and school IT systems.
• An ability to adapt, show initiative and be flexible in approach.

Desirable

• Experience of working in a School Boarding House.
• Basic administrative skills (eg record keeping, managing budget allocation, and filing).
• Able to drive/own car (on occasions required to take a boarding pupil to medical appointments, A&E, source new items for the house in agreement with the Housemaster/mistress).

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

• Salary:  £23,179 based on hours of work (full time equivalent of £29,212).
• Hours: 34 hours per week, term time. 27.5 hours per week during the school holidays.
  • Term time:
    • Week One – 4 days per week 8am-2pm, plus Saturday 8am-6pm to cover Matron’s day off.
    • Week Two – 4 weekdays 8am-2pm, and 1 weekday 8am-6pm to cover Matron’s day off (same day each fortnight)
  • During holidays (in addition to term time working): 
    • 8am-1.30pm Monday- Friday.

• Holidays: 30 days holiday per annum full time and pro rata for part time working plus statutory bank holidays pro rata. All holiday must be taken during the school holidays.
• 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 current pension regulations. 

 Employee Benefits 

• 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: 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.

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 Form available via the button on this page.

To comply with safeguarding procedures when working in a school, CVs will not 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 subsequent offer may occur at any stage after applications are received.  Please apply as soon as possible.

Applicants are encouraged to contact Kay Wright on 01372 821260 to discuss further