Resident Tutor / Activity Tutor (Choir, Music and Sport)
-
School:
Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation -
Location:
County Durham -
Salary:
NMW + accommodation/meals -
Hours:
37.5 or 20 hours per week -
Contractual Status:
Fixed term -
Closing Date:
17th Apr 2026
Chorister School Resident Tutors/Activities Tutors (Choir, Music and Sport)
Start date: September 2026
Contract: Fixed Term to July 2027 (three terms)
Hours: Term time plus rota weekend and Chorister periods (Christmas, Easter and Summer), 37.5 or
20 hours p/week, resident and non-resident roles.
Responsible to: Chorister School Deputy Head, Pastoral
The role of Resident Tutor/Activities Tutor is to support Chorister School in all aspects of school life, especially music and supervision of Choristers in their rehearsals and services. In addition, there will be some teaching assistant duties during the school day which include support with sports activities.
Skills
- Evidence positive interaction and understanding of the needs of young people.
- Demonstrate ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Show use of initiative and be committed to the organisation and functioning of the school.
- Be able to work as part of a team and develop effective and supportive relationships with colleagues.
- Plan and organise time effectively.
- Show ability to adapt to changing routines and demands.
- Remain calm and motivated when faced with behaviours or situations.
General principles:
- Ensure that the safety and welfare of young people is paramount.
- Report any pastoral or other concerns about a pupil to the appropriate person, either the Housemaster, Designated Safeguarding Lead or Safeguarding Team.
- Undertake all tasks in the daily life of young people, as required.
- Safeguard and promote individual young people’s welfare and rights, providing good quality care.
- Work with young people effectively, flexibly and creatively.
- Work as part of a team and communicate effectively with colleagues.
- Be resident during term time and Chorister periods.
- Fulfil any other duties as and when required by the Head of Chorister School or Housemaster.
Specific pastoral duties:
- Talking to, taking an interest in, responding to, caring for the young people; and, where necessary, meeting and talking to their parents.
- Attending meals with the young people.
- Sustaining good relationships with parents
- Promoting good manners and a spirit of caring for and sharing with others.
- To attend song school rehearsals and services as per the supervision rota.
- To supervise children in their end of day routines.
- To accompany children in their movement to games and swimming lessons and support the delivery of these sessions.
- To carry out yard duty according to school rotas.
- To be on call should a Chorister be taken ill in the Cathedral and need accompanying back from the Cathedral.
- To attend assemblies and school productions.
Specific Teaching Assistant duties:
- To assist in practically based lessons in the Prep school.
- To supervise Music practices.
- To supervise recreation sessions in the sports hall.
- To supervise prep sessions.
There are opportunities to be involved in the Co-Curricular programme for the School. Sport, Music, Drama and Art all thrive and we welcome interest and input from all staff.
Further information about this role:
- The accommodation will consist of a fully furnished single room with en-suite shower and toilet. Residents will be expected to maintain good standards of cleanliness and tidiness. At the end of the stay, Residents will be expected to leave the room and shared areas in a clean and good state. No pets are allowed. No smoking is allowed on the School premises.
- Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner are provided in during term time and any dietary requirements will be met.
- Resident Tutors work in School during the day, they also work in the Boarding House during some evenings and are a member of the weekend duty team.
- Safeguarding training and will be provided and other School CPD will be open for Resident Tutors and Activities Tutors.
- Tutors will be expected to vacate their accommodation by the date confirmed in their offer of employment at the end of their contract. Tutors can stay in the accommodation at all times during term time and the school holidays by prior agreement with their line manager.
- The full range of Policies can be accessed via the School Website.
Supporting documents
Application FormDurham Cathedral Schools Foundation
Learning has been part of the life of Durham for a thousand years. The Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation was formed in 2021 as a result of the merger between Durham School and The Chorister School. Both schools have been at the heart of the city’s education for most of that time; founded in the early fifteenth century as schools for “grammar and song” by Bishop Thomas Langley, Durham School was again refounded by Henry VIII in 1541. In a somewhat odd local tradition the Cathedral is often know as Abbey, expecially by Dunelmians and Old Dunelmians.
Durham School moved from its mediaeval home on Palace Green to its current location in 1844; although the city centre is only five minutes’ walk away, the School has a peaceful, rural atmosphere.
Today, the Foundation educates around 720 pupils. The Chorister School is our prep school, and is for girls and boys aged 3-11.
Durham School is our senior school, and is for girls and boys aged 11-18. Boarding is available to pupils aged 8 and up, and 20% of our pupils board. Just over a third of our pupils are girls.
Our vibrant and successful Sixth Form prepares pupils for the next stage of their journey. Within a community shaped by moral integrity and kindness, we cultivate ambition and responsibility, giving all Dunelmians the foundations to be happy and make a positive mark in the world.
By embracing this ethos, our pupils not only learn to pass their examinations today, but also receive an education that
gives them confidence for life and respect for all.
Durham Cathedral Schools Foundation has a long and ancient history. The secret to our longevity is our passionate teachers,
who, using innovative approaches and new technologies, seek to kindle the intellectual curiosity of our pupils, preparing them to answer the questions of tomorrow.