Each centre has its own summer team, including management, that work alongside our head office team.
You’ll have plenty of support at your centre to help you succeed in your role – our senior teams often include returning members of staff with plenty of experience to pass on.
Head Office will also be on hand throughout the summer – we’re busy preparing for a fantastic summer 2024 so you’ll most likely have spoken to some of us already!
If you haven’t worked at a summer school before, you can click below to find out what a typical centre team looks like.
ORGANISATIONAL CHART
Our summer dress code for all staff is smart/smart casual. As a general guide, this means:
1. Smart jeans (not ripped), Trousers or Skirts (which are not too short in length)
2. Tops with sleeves e.g. shirts or smart T-Shirts with no offensive logos
Alongside this, we also provide a Stafford House uniform:
ALs and SWOs: Company T-Shirt(s) and a Hoodie to be worn whenever on duty or on site.
Teachers: A company T-shirt for use on excursions, not necessary for day-to-day teaching.
ID CARDS: All staff will be given an ID Lanyard when they first arrive. You must wear your lanyard whenever on duty or on site. This is vital as it allows students, group leaders and fellow staff to easily identify you!
Our full-time staff work 6 days per week, with 1 full day off.
Which day you have off each week will depend on the needs of your centre. Typically, Activity Leaders (ALs) and Student Welfare Officers (SWOs) will have their day off during the week with Teachers off at the weekend, but this is not always the case.
We work on a rota basis. The management team will put together the rota ahead of each week, where you’ll find details of which duties you’ve been assigned and the time off that’s been scheduled for you.
You’ll find out more about the rota during your centre induction on your first day.
Can I choose my days off?
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to request any specific day off. Rotas will be done by management ahead of time and they will assign duties and free time according to your contracted hours and role.
If you do need a day off for any special circumstance (e.g. graduation day), please let Head Office know about this as soon as possible so we can make your centre team aware.
Your job description will provide a thorough explanation of the duties you can expect in your role.
If this is your first ever summer role, here are some duties you’ll see in your job description which you might be unfamiliar with:
1. Supervision duties – this can include free-time supervision of students as well as breakfast, lunch and dinner supervision. This often lasts around 30 mins but can take more or less time depending on group sizes.
2. Lights out duty – This is only required of residential staff and is normally around 10.30 PM to 11.30 PM when students are going to bed.
3. Night duty – this is only performed by Student Welfare Officers and Management. SWOs carry out 4-night duties per week and it mainly involves checking in around the residence to ensure students are settled down for the night.
Am I allowed to come and go during my free time/day off?
On your day off you are welcome to leave your centre, however if you decide to spend the night away from the residence, we ask that you let your centre management team know. This is so we can accurately account for all staff in the event of an emergency. Please ensure you are back in time to start your shift the next day.
*Student Welfare Officers and Student Welfare Officers (Transfers) – As it is compulsory for you to be residential for these positions, you must ask permission from your Line Manager if you wish to spend the night away from the centre (unless already agreed at interview stage).
Will there be time for staff to socialise?
There will be some time to socialise, for example during mealtimes (providing you are not on supervision duty). If you don’t have a shift, you can always chill out in the staff room or nearby.
Will I be working with the same students the whole summer?
Our students enrol for anywhere between 1 and 4 weeks with us, so you won’t necessarily see the same students on an ongoing basis.
Can I use on-site facilities (e.g. parking or the canteen) if I am not residential?
Our non-residential staff are welcome to have lunch in our canteen whenever they are working a shift and dinner only if working an evening activity.
In terms of other facilities, you can find out what is available to you at your specific centre via our centre factsheets.