House Master / House Mistress (Boys' Day House)
8 days ago
London
About the School:We are a thriving independent preparatory school in central London, educating boys and girls from the age of 2 to 13. Guided by our core values of confidence, curiosity, and kindness, we offer a broad, ambitious, and enriching education that places academic excellence, creativity, and outstanding pastoral care at its heart. As part of the Brighton College family of schools, widely regarded as the leading co-educational school group in the UK, we benefit from a strong shared ethos while retaining our own distinctive character. In 2025, we were proud to be named London Independent School of the Year finalists, reflecting our innovative approach and commitment to pupil wellbeing. Situated beside Exhibition Road in the museum district of central London, we offer pupils an exceptional learning environment enriched by immediate access to world-class cultural and scientific institutions. Our Upper School experience is designed to be ambitious, purposeful, and outward-facing, and our pupils go on to a wide range of leading senior schools, predominantly boarding schools, with many securing academic scholarships and awards.We are making significant investment in new and enhanced facilities, ensuring that pupils benefit from an unrivalled prep school experience in central London. These developments reflect the school’s ambition to provide outstanding learning, pastoral, and enrichment provision within an exceptional setting, preparing pupils not only for senior school success but for life beyond the classroom.The school now has an exciting opportunity for an experienced House Master / House Mistress (Boys' Day House) to join our fantastic team.About Cognita:Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 90 schools in 21 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 100,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, ‘Thrive in a rapidly evolving world’.At Cognita, we know every student is unique. We nurture their distinct personalities and strengths. We support them academically, socially, and emotionally, wherever they are in the world, wherever they’re starting from. And each and every one of our schools is unique too.We protect what’s special about them, while offering them rich knowledge, opportunities, and best practices. And they get to be part of something bigger. We open their classrooms to the collective wisdom of 90 schools in 21 countries, ensuring every child gets an education that’s, quite literally, world class.It’s an individual approach that empowers every school, teacher and student to focus on what they do best and thrive.About the Brighton College Family of Schools:Brighton College Prep Kensington is a proud member of the Brighton College Family of Schools which includes Brighton College, three other UK based Prep Schools and a growing network of schools around the world. Brighton College is synonymous with academic excellence, outstanding pastoral care and a commitment to the Arts, Sports and extracurricular pursuits.Being a member of both Cognita and the Brighton College Family offers significant development opportunities and collaboration for our staff.About the Role:We are seeking an outstanding, warm, and highly organised Housemaster / Housemistress to provide pastoral leadership for a Girls’ House in Year 7 and Year 8. This is a rare and career-defining opportunity: a senior pastoral role within a day prep school that delivers an Upper School experience comparable in ambition, structure, and expectation to the very best boarding school models — while benefitting from a truly extraordinary central London setting. The successful candidate will ensure that pupils are exceptionally well supported during a key stage of their prep school journey, as they develop independence, resilience, confidence, and leadership in preparation for senior school transition. The Housemaster / Housemistress will lead a team of dedicated House Mentors, who are also subject specialists, ensuring that pastoral care is consistent, highly visible, and fully integrated into the daily life of the school. The successful candidate will work closely with the Head, Deputy Head, the Head of Future Schools, and the wider pastoral and safeguarding teams to ensure that every pupil is known, supported, and able to thrive.A defining feature of the role is the ability to foster strong relationships with pupils both inside and outside the classroom, striking the right balance of authority and accessibility, and creating a House culture where pupils feel both supported and held to high standards. Alongside this, the Housemaster / Housemistress will hold a teaching timetable The successful candidate will therefore be an excellent classroom practitioner, committed to high academic standards, strong outcomes, and inspiring teaching that supports pupils’ confidence and ambition. The Housemaster / Housemistress will also play a key role in shaping an ambitious programme of enrichment and personal development, including residential experiences, entrepreneurship opportunities, leadership development, and a broad co-curricular provision. This role is central to delivering an Upper School experience that is, in every sense, unsurpassed by any other prep school in London. To view our job description, click here.Who We Are Looking For:Essential • A warm, calm, and authoritative presence with excellent interpersonal skills.• The ability to strike the right balance of authority and accessibility when working with pupils aged 11–13. • Proven ability to support pupils pastorally, particularly within the 11–13 age range. • Experience of pastoral leadership (e.g. House leadership, pastoral lead, or similar). • Experience supporting pupils through senior school transition, including boarding school preparation and scholarships., • Experience in an independent or preparatory school setting. • Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively. • The ability to build strong, trusting relationships with pupils, parents, and colleagues., • Confidence in managing parental communication with professionalism, clarity, and calm judgement. • A strong commitment to safeguarding, wellbeing, and pupil development. • The ability to lead a pastoral team and contribute positively to a wider pastoral structure., • A commitment to outstanding teaching and learning, with the ability to contribute to a substantial teaching timetable. • A commitment to the wider life of a busy prep school community, including trips, enrichment, and House routines.Desirable• Experience planning or leading residential trips or ambitious enrichment programmes. • The ability to contribute to the teaching timetable through one or more of the following subjects would be a significant advantage: Science, Mathematics, Geography, or Classics. Applications from candidates able to teach other subjects are also warmly welcomed. • A strong understanding of adolescent development and pastoral best practice.Benefits at Cognita•Competitive salary depending upon qualifications and experience • Enrolment in Teachers' Pension Scheme •Free lunch provided during Term Time •School holidays and public holidays•School fee discount •Exclusive third-party discounts •Ongoing professional developmentThe School Offers • A supportive and collaborative leadership team. • The opportunity to shape and lead a key aspect of pastoral provision in the Upper School. • A spectacular setting in the museum district of central London. • A highly engaged pupil body and supportive parent community. • Professional development and leadership growth., • Competitive salary commensurate with experience. • A warm and welcoming school community. How to Apply:Complete this application before the closing date: 27th February 2026Cognita Schools is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment checks, including an enhanced DBS check. Our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy is available on the school website. Details on Recruitment of Ex-Offenders is included within the Application Guidance.We are an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and treating all employees with dignity and respect regardless of background.Early applications are encouraged, we reserve the right to interview and appoint prior to closing date for the right applicant.