Role Introduction

The Dame plays a fundamental role in both the pastoral care of Eton’s pupils and ensuring that our boarding houses operate as effectively as possible. Supporting the House Master within a particular boarding house you will supervise and provide care for around 50-55 pupils. Together with the House Master, Resident Tutor (if applicable) and Dame’s Assistant you will ensure the physical, social, academic, and emotional wellbeing of every pupil within the House. As Dame you will have particular responsibility for the medical care, supervision and presentation of pupils, and play a pivotal role in caring for and nurturing boarders within the house.

You will work as a team, led by the House Master, and you will directly manage the Dame’s Assistant, who will provide cover for you and deputise for you during your time away from the house. The houses are also supported by a variety of centrally-employed employees (such as housekeeping, maintenance and catering). As Dame you will have day-to-day responsibility for the overall standards of cleanliness and catering (if relevant) within the boarding house, and you will work closely with the Supervisors and Heads of these central teams to ensure standards are maintained.

Main Duties

• Together with the resident house team, you will ensure the physical, social, academic, and emotional wellbeing of every pupil within the House.
• Responsibility for the medical care, supervision and presentation of pupils, and play a pivotal role in caring for and nurturing boarders within the house.
• To promote and safeguard the welfare of the pupils for whom you are responsible, or with whom you come into contact, adhering to the school’s Safeguarding procedures and Child Protection Policy and processes at all times, reporting any concerns regarding actual or potential risks in line with the school’s policies.
• To provide a high level of pastoral care for individual boys through direct interest and personal support and through interaction and communication with the House Master and the rest of the house team.
• To create, develop and sustain excellent working relationships with the parents, the resident house team, central staff and suppliers to ensure the smooth running of the House.
• To line manage the Dame’s Assistant, ensuring that performance is appropriately monitored, appraisals carried out, and when the role becomes vacant, effective recruitment is carried out.
• To attend regular meetings as required with the house team to ensure proper communication of pupil welfare concerns and any issues relating to the House, and with relevant members of central teams (such as the Cleaning Duty Managers and Catering Manager) regarding other matters of importance in the House.
• To work closely with the House Master to ensure an appropriate student recruitment, admission and induction process is delivered, which reflects the high standards of Eton, but which is tailored to the individual ethos of the House (for example this may include leading House tours, interviewing parents and prospective pupils, etc.).
• To attend House sporting fixtures (whenever possible) and College-wide events in support of the pupils within the House.
• Responsible for the general health and wellbeing of pupils in the House, holding formal daily surgeries after each meal, and complying at all times with the school’s Medical Care Policy and internal protocols. In the case of any doubt or concern about a pupil’s health, referring matters to the school’s medical staff (e.g. the Health Centre or the Stephenson Centre for Wellbeing).
• Responding to medical emergencies and routine appointments, escorting pupils as needed to the surgery, hospital, clinic, Health Centre etc.
• Accurately record the allocation of medication, including controlled drugs, to pupils using the College’s approved recording documentation
• To ensure the satisfactory provision of Chambers (mid-morning snack) and Messing Tea (afternoon snack) in terms of quality, allergy / health and safety considerations and behaviour of pupils during these times. The Dame is also expected to use these opportunities to spend time with the pupils whenever possible.
• Commitment and promotion of equality, diversity and inclusion;
• All positions at Eton are classed as ‘regulated activity’ as per the Keeping Children Safe in Education 2022 guidance, therefore a good understanding of safeguarding procedures is essential;
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, including by not limited to, completing safeguarding training as required, and ensuring any safeguarding updates issued by the College are read and understood;
• Understand and comply with procedures and legislation relating to confidentiality.

The Ideal Candidate

To be considered for this role you will need:

• A caring and supportive nature, a ‘can-do’ attitude and a good understanding of the challenges faced by teenagers living away from home.
• A good sense of humour.
• Previous experience of pastoral care for children or young adults.
• Previous experience of boarding is not required, but the ability to quickly adapt to the environment will be essential.
• An awareness of the Children’s Act, Safeguarding and Child Protection matters.
• Enthusiasm, ability to engage with colleagues, visitors and pupils, excellent problem solving skills and flexibility over working patterns.
• Good levels of literacy and numeracy.
• Proven experience of successfully undertaking complex administrative duties - experience of managing budgets would be desirable.
• To be confident using the Microsoft Office Suite of applications and the ability to quickly learn to use in-house computer software.
• Demonstrable line management experience.
• A nationally recognised First Aid qualification or the demonstrable ability to complete one immediately after appointment. An NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) in Health and Social Care and /or a Professional Practice in Boarding Schools Certificate would be desirable.
• An understanding of Health and Safety practices; e.g. fire alarm testing and evacuation procedures, accident reporting, legionnaire’s testing, awareness of basic food hygiene and COSHH is also desirable.

A full list of responsibilities and skills and competencies required can be found in the Dame Job Description below.

Benefits

Accommodation

This role comes with the benefit of school- provided accommodation. Accommodation is provided free of rent, council tax, buildings insurance and general maintenance costs.

Further benefits at Eton College include:

• Generous pension scheme
• Enhanced Maternity / Paternity pay
• Bike-to-work scheme
• Give As you Earn scheme
• Counselling and legal advice services
• Eyecare plan
• Free or subsidised use of sports and leisure facilities
• Discount at local shops and amenities
   

About the College

If you have any queries about the application process or any problem with submitting your application online, the Recruitment Team will be happy to help. Should you require any reasonable adjustments to be made or facilities provided to enable you to apply online, please do not hesitate to contact us on recruitment@etoncollege.org.uk so we can make adjustments accordingly. 

LIVING IN ETON

All members of our community are encouraged to participate fully in the life of the school and to enjoy the beautiful grounds and facilities. Windsor is just across the river, with a tangle of pretty lanes, chic shopping streets, green spaces, an ancient castle and picturesque tea shops. There is plenty to see and do. Windsor hosts the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world as well as one of Britain’s oldest and most prestigious repertory theatres. 20 miles of beautiful and historic waterways meanders through the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, leaving historic villages and iconic attractions waiting to be discovered, such as the Stanley Spencer Gallery in Cookham, Windsor Guildhall, Maidenhead Heritage Centre and LEGOLAND Windsor. Central London is also easily accessible by rail or motorway.

THE ETON COMMUNITY

There is enormous collegiality at the school. We are an equal opportunities employer and are seeking applications from suitable candidates from all backgrounds. We are dedicated to creating and sustaining an environment that values individuality and difference and celebrates the diversity of both staff and pupils by fostering perseverance, tolerance and integrity. We believe in equal opportunity for everyone, irrespective of age, disability, gender, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or socio-economic background.

DISCLOSURE CHECKS

Eton College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers, an online search and an Enhanced Disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service. If you are successful in your application, you will be required to complete a DBS Disclosure Application Form.  Any information disclosed will be handled in accordance with any guidance and/or Code of Practice published by the DBS. The College is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all convictions, cautions, reprimands and final warnings (including those which would normally be considered as “spent” under the Act) must be declared, subject to the DBS filtering rules. It is a criminal offence for any person who is barred from working with children to attempt to apply for a position at the College.

Eton College