Job Introduction
Required for: September 2026 to July 2027
Location: Chapter House, 22 Chapter Street - Westminster Under School
Contract: full-time (term-time only) fixed-term for one academic year.
Hours of work: The exact daily hours of the role can vary but will be approximately eight hours between the hours of 8 am and 6 pm, Monday to Friday, with a 30-minute lunch break. Free school lunches are provided when working on-site.
Salary: £23,746.25 (actual) equating to a full-time equivalent of £31,707.52 per annum.
The closing date for this role is midday on Tuesday 01 September 2026. Interviews will take place shortly after the closing date.
Job Introduction
Westminster Under School is seeking a talented and enthusiastic Gap Year Student to work at the School from September 2026 for the whole academic year until the end of term in the first week of July 2027 (term-time only).
Gap Students assist in all areas of the day-to-day running of the School, examples of which are outlined below and are essential in its smooth running. It is an important and responsible role, with the postholder being treated as a full member of school staff and as such they will be encouraged to take a full and active role within the School.
This role is designed for a recent school leaver, providing a grounded experience in administration and in an educational environment. The goal is to help them gain experience for further employment and/or studies.
This role suits people who are confident and self-directed, and who enjoy working with and engaging with younger people. The role may be particularly beneficial for someone who is considering a career in education, though this is not essential.
The successful applicant will report principally to the school Receptionist.
The exact daily hours of the role can vary but will be approximately eight hours between the hours of 8 am and 6 pm, Monday to Friday, with a 30-minute lunch break. This includes all INSET and training days. School lunch is provided at no additional cost each day when working on-site, and there is access to the School’s Sports Centre at specific times after school which includes use of the gym.
Any additional time outside of this will be paid as overtime or time off in lieu, as agreed in advance.
Main Responsibilities
Typical, non-exhaustive, roles performed in this role are:
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General assistance with the day-to-day running of the School, including assisting with the running of the Reception area.
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Assist with pupil registration, including ensuring all pupils are accounted for and parents are contacted if pupils have an unauthorised absence.
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Assist and supervise pupils taking part in school trips as and when they take place, paying particular attention to the behaviour and safety of pupils. Supervision on one residential trip per year may be required.
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Supervision of pupils during break and lunch times, engaging with them in a mature and positive way.
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To potentially provide approximately six hours of games coaching per week, and to provide assistance to art/drama/music departments when required - particular strengths can usually be accommodated.
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Assist with taking pupils to the Sports Centre for after-school ‘Extras’, including the local swimming pool and away matches, as well as for other extra-curricular activities.
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Provide administrative support to members of staff at the Under School, including photocopying and other support as necessary, such as refreshing display boards and resources for lessons.
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Involvement with extra-curricular activities, such as concerts and plays, at particular times of year.
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Support the Day Matron with low-level medical care for pupil injuries and illness (training will be provided).
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Manage lost property on a daily and weekly basis.
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Any other support reasonably requested by the Senior Management Team.
Competence in the main Office software (Word, Excel, Outlook and similar) is a strong advantage.
Equal Opportunities
We are an equal opportunities employer. We therefore encourage candidates to apply irrespective of age, disability, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion and belief, gender identity, sex or sexual orientation.
Safeguarding and Child Protection
Westminster Under School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Applicants must be willing to undergo child protection screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Working at Westminster Under School
Westminster Under School is a busy, purposeful and vibrant place to be and an excellent workplace. The community is made up of around 292 pupils, 43 teaching staff and 50 support staff.
Westminster Under School is a friendly and welcoming place to work. There is a real sense of community here and staff members quickly become part of the rhythm of life, both inside and outside the classroom. Social events are regular and varied, with plenty of opportunity to socialise outside working hours. Support staff as much as teaching staff are encouraged to embrace the School’s day-to-day activities, whether that be attending a concert or a sports fixture.
At Westminster we will always select the best candidate for every position. We do know, however, that we can only truly choose the best person on every occasion if a broad and diverse pool of candidates see the job advertised and are encouraged to apply.
As such, we continue to work on how our job roles are encountered, and particularly welcome applications from groups who have traditionally been underrepresented here.
Westminster Under School is for everyone, regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or any other protected characteristic. We hope you are encouraged to apply.
The School
Westminster Under School is a happy, ambitious, nurturing and inspiring world-class preparatory education for seven to 13 year olds. Pupils who love to learn are offered a supportive, dynamic and inspirational environment to fuel their curiosity.
Located in the heart of London, the School overlooks the beautiful school playing fields in Vincent Square and is just a few moments’ walk from Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. It is closely connected to Westminster School; in 1943, Westminster expanded its educational scope by forming the Under School, and the two schools share the same Governing Body and the same ethos of a liberal education.
Westminster Under School's curriculum is broad and diverse, aiming to foster a sense of wonder and inquisitiveness in children and encourage independent thought. The teaching programme goes above and beyond the National Curriculum and teachers are not tightly bound by syllabus. Pupils are taught a wide range of subjects by expert teachers who embrace opportunities for growth and promote diverse thinking, and who encourage them to ask questions about the world around them.
While the School's standard of our education is of the highest quality, the School’s focus is not only on academic achievement. Westminster pupils receive a full and rounded education that includes sport, the arts and many opportunities to engage in community outreach; pupils frequently take part in concerts, plays and in both internal and external competitions, and the School hosts festivals and events throughout the year. Like its older counterpart, Westminster Under School is fully committed to each pupil’s spiritual, moral, emotional and physical development and wellbeing – with a particular emphasis on drawing out individual talent wherever it lies – and to prepare young people for fulfilled private and public lives.
From September 2026, Westminster Under School will have opened its brand new pre-prep for girls and boys at 4+ and girls will have joined boys in Years 3 and 7, at the 7+ and 11+ entry points. By 2030, with the introduction of girls into Year 9 at Westminster School in 2028, all year groups across the two schools, from ages four to 18, will be fully co-educational, reflecting the School’s dedication to inclusivity and excellence.
