Winchester College is seeking to appoint an exceptional Housemistress/Housemaster to lead our second new girls’ boarding house, St Catherine, opening in September 2027. This is a rare and exciting opportunity to shape the culture and identity of a new boarding community from the ground up, establishing a warm, ambitious, and inclusive environment for Sixth Form pupils. The successful candidate will be a visionary leader and a committed pastoral professional, playing a central role in the operational planning, recruitment, and admissions activity ahead of the house opening.

Description

The Role

Reporting to Senior Management and working closely with the Second Master and Director of Pastoral Care, the Housemistress/Housemaster is responsible for the overall progress, welfare, and social development of every pupil within the house.

Your key responsibilities include:

Leadership and Culture

• House Identity: Establish a supportive, welcoming, and cohesive culture at St Catherine, ensuring a positive boarding environment aligned with the School’s Boarding Principles.
• Team Management: Lead and line-manage the House team (Assistant House Don, Resident Tutor, Tutors, and Matrons), ensuring effective delegation and a consistent standard of conduct.
• Strategic Planning: Play a lead role in the operational planning for the new house and the induction of new Sixth Form girl boarders.
• Admissions: Partner with the Admissions team to recruit pupils of high academic potential by attending Open Days and interviewing prospective candidates.

Pastoral Care and Academic Oversight

• Pupil Welfare: Provide primary oversight of the welfare, academic progress, and personal development of each pupil, identifying strengths and offering targeted support.
• Higher Education: Oversee the higher education process for each pupil, providing expert advice and guidance for their future transitions.
• Communication: Act as the primary point of contact for parents and guardians, ensuring efficient, timely, and professional communication.
• Community Life: Reside in the boarding house during term-time to provide full pastoral oversight, maintaining the routines of the day and leading evening House meetings (Preces).

Compliance and Operations

• Safeguarding: Maintain all safeguarding and disciplinary records on CPOMS and work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Health and Wellbeing Centre.
• Regulatory Standards: Ensure full compliance with the National Minimum Standards for Boarding Schools (NMS) and all school policies.
• Financial & Fabric Management: Efficiently manage the House budget and financial procedures while ensuring the fabric and facilities of the House are well-maintained and safe.

About You

We are seeking an academically distinguished individual with a clear vision for high-quality Sixth Form girls’ boarding and the interpersonal gravitas to build strong relationships across the College.

Essential Skills & Qualities:

• Visionary Leadership: A clear vision for girls' boarding and the experience to deliver it within an academically stimulating environment.
• Academic Excellence: Possess excellent academic qualifications and the ability to support high-potential pupils.
• Judgment and Resilience: Calm and patient under pressure, with the ability to handle crises and exercise sound judgment in complex situations.
• Pastoral Expertise: Deep knowledge of adolescent issues, particularly relating to girls, and a demonstrable commitment to young people’s wellbeing.
• Communication: Excellent organisational, administrative, and interpersonal skills; able to present a friendly and professional aspect to all stakeholders.
• Commitment: Willingness to work flexibly and participate fully in the wider life of the School, including night and weekend responsibilities.

What We Offer

• Start Date: Preference for January 2027. For the remainder of the 2026–27 academic year, the postholder will serve as a tutor in an existing house while focusing on the planning and recruitment for St Catherine.
• Salary: Winchester has its own generous salary scale, which is above the national scale.
• Special Responsibility Allowance (SRA): An additional allowance is allocated for the House Don role.
• Accommodation: Highly suitable residential accommodation within the boarding house is provided with this position.

HOW TO APPLY

Only applications completed on the school website will be accepted. Please attach a full CV with your application.

Please note that applications will be dealt with as they arrive. Winchester College reserves the right to appoint before the deadline passes.

Closing date for applications: Midnight Monday 9th March 2026

For the full job description and to apply please see here

If you have any questions about this vacancy or the recruitment process, please email recruitment@wincoll.ac.uk.