School Counsellor-Permanent-Full Time

Prosper Multi Academy Trust of which Bolton Muslim Girls’ School is a part of is looking for a School Counsellor from September 2024.

We are looking to appoint a School Counsellor to provide a professional and confidential service to children in order to promote emotional health and wellbeing and enable children to overcome barriers to learning. The Counselling Service is well established and a highly valued, integral part of the school’s provision.

Hours: 37 hours per week across 5 days (Term-Time Only, 38 weeks + 5 inset days)

(Monday to Thursday 8.00a.m. – 3.30p.m. Friday 8.00a.m – 12.30p.m.)

N.B. Visits prior to application are warmly welcomed. Please contact Patricia Corfield on 01204 361103/ 07525-845537 to arrange a visit or alternatively contact her via email at patricia.corfield@bmgs.bolton.sch.uk

Bolton Muslim Girls’ school is an 11-16 Faith Academy with an Islamic ethos having 750 learners on roll. It is a successful non-selective maintained school and it is placed in the top 10% of school’s nationally based on progress. 

The successful candidate will play a key role in providing holistic support for our students (as well as their families and carers). In addition to providing counselling support, you will participate and help supervise and engage pupils during social times, modelling positive relationships and helping to maintain our calm and nurturing environment.

• Work well both individually and as part of a team to make a difference to the lives of children
• Be forward thinking, visionary, and able to work under pressure
• Be flexible with working arrangements
• Be able to work on your own initiative to plan and evaluate, managing a varied caseload

The ideal candidate will have as a minimum level of qualification a professionally accredited (BACP) Diploma in counselling (or be working towards accreditation). Experience of working as a counsellor within a Secondary educational setting is essential and Art or Creative Therapies desirable.

Please ensure you complete the TES online application form fully, including:

• A full work history

• Naming two referees, one of which must be your current employer
• A letter/statement of application must not exceed three sides of A4, This should address areas identified in the post description and person specification 

 We had an Ofsted visit in Dec 2022 and school has been judged Requires Improvement. The new Ofsted framework emphasise more on a rich and varied curriculum and how it is taught than pupil progress and attainment in GCSEs. Regardless of current Ofsted grading of Requires Improvement, the school has continued to maintain its ranking in the top 20% nationally for Progress 8. The school’s GCSE results have been top of the borough for the last five consecutive years. The school has a track record of sustainable school improvements, and are looking to strengthen our team in the future.

Bolton Muslim Girls’ School is always over-subscribed with first choice applications. To meet with the growing demands for places and due to school’s popularity as a high achieving school, the school had been successful in securing a capital funding for expansion in 2019. The additional capacity resulted in 30 additional places in Yr.7 with effect from 2020. The school will have 750 pupils on roll by September 2024. It is an exciting time at Bolton Muslim Girls’ School. The increased pupil population and recent Ofsted outcome has generated more career opportunities for staff through the review of the current curriculum and staffing structure. We are will continue to expand them further through the development of the third floor and Ground Floor of the Mill Building.

"Leaders have high expectations of pupils’ behaviour. Most pupils meet these expectations. Classrooms are calm and orderly places. Pupils settle to their work and behave very well in lessons" Ofsted December 2022

"Pupils are exceptionally keen to do well in class. Their concentration in lessons helps them to learn and remember more" Ofsted December 2022

Benefits of working at Bolton Muslim Girls’ School- BMGS

Are you:

• able to create a positive and creative learning environment?

• able to motivate, inspire children to fulfil their potential?

• able to work as part of a team to tackle pupil behaviour effectively.

Then you are the right candidate for us!

• we are committed to offering national terms and conditions in line with the School Teacher’s Pay and Conditions document (“STPCD”), the Burgundy Book (for Teachers) or the NJC Green Book (for Support Staff). This commitment is protected via a Recognition and Collective Agreement between Prosper Multi Academy Trust and the national Trade Unions and Professional Associations.
• All contracted members of staff will be automatically enrolled into a career-average pension scheme with either the Teachers Pension Scheme or the Local Government Pension Scheme (whichever is appropriate). You don’t pay tax or National Insurance on your contributions and Prosper Multi Academy Trust adds a generous employer contribution, which varies depending on your salary. All staff are entitled to opt-out of the pension scheme should they wish to do so.
• We offer competitive salaries for both teaching and non-teaching staff based on the type and level of role you do. We are treating people fairly. Your starting salary will be determined by the pay range for your role, your experience as well as external market conditions.
• We have a proven track record of support and development for all colleagues. In return, we will offer you:
• Outstanding , GCSE results from our well-motivated students (Ofsted Requires Improvement 2022)
• A school which has been in the top 20% nationally for Progress 8 for five years, 2015 to 2019.
• The school’s GCSE results have been top of the borough for the last five consecutive years
• UK healthcare cash plans to help with optical, dental, chiropody and physiotherapy treatment. You can claim up to 100% of the cost back (up to policy limits). The scheme also offers six 1-1 counselling sessions for those who need to tap into it.
• All staff are provided a laptop device
• Early finish at 12.30 on Fridays
• A caring and supportive community environment of highly motivated students and staff
• a commitment to health and wellbeing of staff
• a hardworking and dedicated team comprising of a diverse workforce
• Students with a positive attitude, a willingness to succeed, enthusiastic and friendly a commitment to your continued professional development
• ongoing CPD opportunities with the chance to undertake qualifications such as NPQML, NPQSL, SLE, etc.
• An outstanding culture & ethos where students & staff enjoy & achieve
• an open professional culture and learning community;
• strong parental engagement and an overwhelming parental support for teachers;
• excellent pastoral care
• Excellent travel links to Manchester (15-20 minutes by train), M60 / M61 (20 minutes) and we are located 10 minutes’ walk from Bolton interchange and 2 minutes’ walk from the nearest bus stop. There is a free car park at the School.