Our Boarding Houses

I have really loved working at St Andrew’s.  It’s been amazing to work in such a supportive and friendly environment. The highlight of my time here so far have been the bonds I’ve formed with my students. It has been an amazing experience looking after students from over ten different countries and helping them to settle in and enjoy St Andrew’s College and Cambridge as a city.

I run the Hall of Residence alongside my husband, and we always give our best to every task to ensure the welfare and happiness of the students! As someone who loves cooking, and has a young family, being a House Manager allows me the freedom to enjoy my family life, whilst at the same time exploring my passion of cooking for and caring for young people. I have previously worked in the restaurant and hospitality sector where I was trained in cooking cuisines from all the over world. I love being able to surprise my students with dishes from their own countries!

In my spare time I enjoy being with my family, reading, jogging and travelling. I have many wishes and aspirations, a few are to learn how to play a few instruments and travel to Asia and Australia.

I look forward to welcoming future cohorts of students into my Hall, and providing them with the care and individual attention that will help them flourish here at St Andrew’s.

I am an enthusiastic person with an outgoing personality and a confident approach to life.  I studied Business, Technology and Education and graduated with Distinction. I pride myself in successfully communicating and building good relationships with students from different backgrounds and cultures. I am adept in assessing and understanding the unique needs of each student and ensuring that the requirements of all students are effectively aligned and fulfilled.

One of the best aspects of my job is the supportive environment of the school. Everyone shares the same vision and together create an atmosphere of support for the students and other staff. This truly creates a family environment where everybody is there for each other. It is an incredible experience to be part of such an international environment, and I love learning about the student’s different cultures and backgrounds.

No day at work is ever the same, and the diversity of the work that I do ensures that every day is interesting and challenging. I am always focused on bettering my skills and it’s great to challenge myself to improve the quality of care that I provide for the students. In my spare time, I enjoy reading non-fiction books and running, I have done two half marathons and in the coming years would like to attend the London Marathon!

I look forward to welcoming new students to St Andrew’s and helping them settle into their new lives here in Cambridge.

I have been working for St Andrews for over eighteen years and alongside my role as House Manager I also provide support and training for new House Managers. It is great to be able to share my experience with new members of the team and help make sure that all the Halls run professionally and our students are cared for to the highest standards.

Before I joined St Andrew’s I was the Head Nursing Assistant at Leicester Royal Hospital. My background in healthcare has been very helpful in my current role and I enjoy combining my professional training of caring for people with my role as House Manager. In my experience, international students benefit from the extra attention and individual care that I can provide. Helping new students settle into UK life, make friends and embrace the opportunities that Cambridge has to offer is one of my favourite aspects of my job.

Over the course of a year, I form a real attachment to my students and it is a great privilege to be able to help them all in whatever way I can. For some students this can be as simple as making sure they are up in the morning to get to class on time or helping them get to grips with their new timetables! Other students can find the transition to living and studying in a new country a little harder and, for those students, I am always on hand to provide the emotional and practical support that they need to flourish during their time at the College.

In the rare moments that I am not looking after my students, I enjoy reading. When I was younger, I competed in speech and drama competitions and won many medals and trophies of which I am very proud. My other hobbies are going to the gym and walking around Cambridge. Cambridge is a fantastic city and has many hidden treasures. It is a real joy to be able to share my knowledge of the city with the students, and help them discover everything that the city has to offer.

I love working as a house manager, watching students grow and achieve their goals and giving them the confidence to follow their dreams. 

Position: House Manager Mowbray Road

With a passion for mentoring and helping people with personal and professional growth, I have been dedicated to supporting students at St. Andrews College Cambridge. I make sure they always have someone to talk to about their achievements or challenges. Having lived in different countries, I have learned to adapt to new surroundings quick and this has equipped me to offer valuable advice and support.

Before joining St. Andrews College, my career spanned several industries, including retail, service engineering, and eventually I became a frontend developer and head of technical support. These roles have equipped me with a broad set of skills and a deep understanding of different professional fields. Now, I enjoy developing websites as a hobby in my spare time, which allows me to share my diverse professional experiences with students and demonstrate the possibilities within various career paths. By combining my professional expertise and international background, I aim to provide students with the support and guidance they need to thrive both academically and personally.

I believe that students benefit greatly from having a confident and knowledgeable mentor, and I strive to be that person for them in this new environment. Leading an active and healthy lifestyle is important to me, and I love to inspire those around me to do the same. In my spare time, I enjoy exploring world history, British culture, hiking and working out. Therefore, I look forward to sharing my experiences and discoveries with the students.

“Even if I am amongst St. Andrew’s newest employees I can already say that I am more than happy with the support the school is providing for the staff members, as well as for the students. I love working with our team to help the students enjoy this chapter of their life.

As a house parent and a mental health first aider I enjoy listening to the students as I believe this is the biggest need that they have. I enjoy helping them get through challenges that I have faced at some point as well as learning from unique challenges that each of them has. I love seeing the relief in their eyes when they realise that somebody understands them.

In my free time I enjoy spending time with friends and family. I love travelling around the world and see new places.

I look forward to meet new students and guide them through the most beautiful chapter of their life!”

My name is Lidia and I am the House Parent at Coleridge Road where I live on site with my husband, Marius, who does the maintenance at St Andrew’s and my two children.

I have been working at St Andrews for six years and really love the atmosphere and comraderie at the college.  I spent most of my time looking after students at our Coleridge Road Residence and it is very important for me to know that students feel at home and are happy.

I like my job as House Parent because it gives me the opportunity to talk to different people from different backgrounds and we have students from all parts of the world.  It is so interesting to learn from my students about their different cultures and where they come from.

In my spare time I am a real family person.  I love spending time with my husband and my two children.  I am also very keen on travelling and exploring new places.

I really look forward to welcoming you to Coleridge Road.

As the House Manager at St. Andrews College, 91 Cherry Hinton Road, I am dedicated to creating a caring and supportive environment where students can succeed both academically and personally. I enjoy being part of a community that values pastoral care, helping students feel safe, grow in confidence, and build strong connections with others. I believe this kind of support makes a real difference in their overall well-being and success.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, cooking, gardening, and spending time outdoors. Reading allows me to relax and learn new things, while cooking lets me experiment with different flavours and share meals with others. Gardening gives me a sense of peace as I watch plants grow, and being in nature helps me recharge and stay connected with the world around me.

These hobbies reflect the care and patience I bring to my role, as I aim to support each student’s growth and happiness. I’m passionate about helping students feel at home and thrive during their time at 91 Cherry Hinton Road. I look forward to continuing this journey and making a positive impact on the lives of the students in my care.

I’ve been part of St Andrew’s College, Cambridge since September 2024, and being a House Parent has become a huge part of my life. Supporting our international students and making sure they feel safe, comfortable, and truly at home is at the heart of what I do. Alongside this, I also take on the role of Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, making student welfare my top priority.

One of the best things about my job is helping students adjust to life in Cambridge. It’s not always easy moving to a new country, but I love being there to make the transition smoother—whether it’s by explaining timetables, encouraging them to explore the city, or just lending an ear when they need someone to talk to. Watching them settle in, grow in confidence, and make the most of their time here is incredibly rewarding.

Outside of work, I keep myself busy with a variety of interests. I studied Japanese, which was both challenging and exciting. I also love exploring Cambridge, especially on long walks, and I enjoy staying active by going to the gym.

Being a House Parent isn’t just a job—it’s an opportunity to really make a difference in the lives of young people, supporting them through an important chapter and cheering them on as they work toward their goals.

St Andrew’s is a full-board college. Boarding students live in one of our ten houses, all walking distance from the main college. Each house has live-in house parents, supervised study, supervised meals and a duty manager overnight.

Students state preferences as part of admissions, and we accommodate them wherever possible. Final allocation depends on age, gender and the room type chosen, but the admissions team will discuss options before a decision is made.

Yes. Three meals a day on weekdays and weekends are included in boarding fees. The fees page sets out what is included in full.

Yes. St Andrew’s operates as a full-board college, with around 90% of students boarding. Day places are available for UK-based families living locally, but the rhythm of college life is built around the boarding community.