Academic & University Guidance Counsellor

Reports to: Principal and High School Coordinator

The Academic & University Guidance Counsellor will have the main function of assisting the IGCSE, A Levels/IB Diploma Coordinators in all matters relating to university and careers guidance. They will maintain exceptional professional levels of communication, acting as a conduit between the students, teaching team, the Senior Leadership Team and the parents.

Requirements

• Able to demonstrate that he/she is an effective leader, teacher and manager who challenges and supports all staff and students to do their best 
• Be responsible for all Academic & University Counsellor communications and liaison with relevant stakeholders
• Record all relevant communication, forms, documents and reports  
• Record and distributing where necessary, all relevant publications
• Be responsible for ensuring that appropriate student records are maintained
• Develop and review handbooks and brochures and other promotion material
• Responsible for all aspects of higher education applications by students in the school.
• Review, develop and enforce relevant policies regarding Higher Education provision, such as the Early Application Support Programme, Reference Policy etc.
• Help students understand various pathways in order to assist subject selection for IGCSE and A levels. 
• Processing of student applications, supporting students in completing application forms and checking of applications thoroughly
• Coordinating and overseeing the use of outside agencies to augment the application process.
• Supporting students in the drafting and completion of personal statements and/or personal essays
• Providing training where necessary to aid tutors and subject teachers in their supporting of students in writing their personal statements or personal essays
• Coordinating and overseeing the process of launching and collating subject references 
• Collating predicted grades from subject staff for application purposes
• Coordinating and supporting mentors in writing university references, including distribution of subject references and providing training where appropriate
• Coordinating and supporting subject teachers in the writing of letters of recommendation and providing training where appropriate
• Coordinating and preparing student transcripts for higher education purposes.
• Coordinating and writing higher education references, monitoring and quality assuring university references and letters of recommendation including updating, editing, proofing and redrafting where necessary.
• Supporting and guiding students in their university application process, including workshops, assemblies and one to one meetings, providing counselling and advice as necessary
• Leading, planning and structuring the programme of activities for the Higher Education elements of the post-examination programme
• Liaising with, and coordinating, the arrangements for university entrance tests with the examinations office
• Assist the Senior Leadership Team in providing advice and guidance regarding option choices for IGCSE and IB Diploma
• Coordinating and monitoring mentors’ tasks in relation to the HE process
• Liaising with mentors to monitor students’ application progress
• Coordinating and liaising with mentors’ regarding one-to-one meetings (re. choices, personal statements and references)
• Liaising with subject staff with regards to HE applications where necessary
• Offering staff training on Higher Education related areas when needed (e.g. reference writing and supporting personal statements)
• Offering up to date and relevant information to the parent body regarding the application processes through workshops and written communication home
• Offering guidance and information to parents where appropriate to further support individual students
• Planning and delivering the Year 12 Higher Education programme
• Advising and informing students, parents and staff with regards to school policy on university applications
• Collating data on HE placements and reporting to the SLT on placements
• Developing, coordinating and delivering activities in support of the Higher Education, University Application and transition programme
• Maintaining relevant and up to date information on relevant forums for Higher Education
• Promoting and assisting with student attendance to University Fairs and visits in Singapore
• Supporting the SLT with a policy regarding the EASP
• Identifying students who meet the broad criteria for an Elite University Programme
• Advising students, and updating where necessary, on the entry processes and requirements for Early Applications (EAs)
• Supporting students in completing specific application forms to non-UK based EAs (for example, Ivy League universities in the US)
• Supporting students in completing applications for Oxbridge and UK Medicine
• Arranging for mock Oxbridge/Medicine interviews
• Collating data and reporting to the SLT on EA placements
• Develop a careers education curriculum alongside PSHE from Y7-11 to develop an appreciation of the types of career available
• Teach within the PSHE/Careers programme
• Lead, resource and guide other teachers in the field of Careers education
• Develop tools to help students assess their skills and interests in relation to future careers
• Develop students’ appreciation and abilities in producing CVs, letters of application and portfolios
• Meet with individuals, groups or classes to counsel students towards their career goals
• Keeping up to date with relevant news and changes within Higher Education
• Continuing to gain knowledge and understanding of different Higher Education opportunities and processes locally and internationally 
• Continuing to develop relevant support material for students and parents in relation to higher education and careers
• Provide information and presentations to the staff to educate them in matters relating to higher/further education matters and student subject choices
• Develop a continuous curriculum in careers education from Grades 6 - 12 

Relevant Qualifications and Desired Experience: 

• Degree in teaching one or more subjects in Middle or High school 
• Current certificate in teaching or counselling
• Minimum of three years of relevant experience 
• Familiarisation with IGCSE, A Levels and IB programmes 
• Good communication skills and interpersonal skills 
• Ability to work as part of a team and with a wide network of teachers and families
• Good cross-cultural skills and understandings 
• Strong IT skills 
• Good organizational skills and the ability to maintain key dates and monitor progress within fixed time frames
• Have a good track record of leading and managing staff; be motivational, sympathetic constructive and, where necessary, challenging with colleagues
• Be passionate about raising standards in teaching and learning and have a clear understanding of excellence in learning
• Be able to work accurately and calmly, and show resilience, when under pressure