School Counsellor (Senior School) (Part-time)

The British School of Amsterdam is an independent, co-educational, non-profit day school providing world-class learning for children from 3 to 18 years. The School currently has over 1,000 pupils, in three school sections, each with their own distinctive character. The Early Years School is for children aged 3 to 6 years old, the Junior School for 6 to 11 year olds and the Senior School for 11 to 18 year olds. In the Senior School there are just over 400 pupils increasing to around 450 next year. 

We are seeking to appoint a highly motivated , enthusiastic and qualified counsellor to join our Pastoral Team in the Senior School for two days a week (0.4 FTE).

About the school

The School was the first school in the Netherlands to be accredited by the UK Government as a British School Overseas (BSO) and is a member of the Council of British International Schools (COBIS). It  follows an enhanced version of the National Curriculum for England, leading to GCSEs and A Levels, and offers an inspiring and nurturing environment empowering each child to be the best they can be.

In April 2021, all three sections moved into new building costing over €40 million in the heart of the old south of Amsterdam. The award-winning building project is a renovation of an existing monumental building now with state-of-the-art facilities. 

The school is directed by the Senior Leadership Team comprising the Principal, Bursar and the Heads of the Early Years, Junior and Senior schools. The Support Staff consists of reception & secretarial support, admissions, finance, IT, data management, communications & marketing, facilities and HR. 

About the role of School Counsellor

There is already a School Counsellor who works three days week and this vacancy is for an additional School Counsellor. 

The School Counsellor will report to the Deputy Head (Pastoral) and will be a member of the Pastoral Team which consists of the Head of School, Deputy Head (Pastoral), Designated Safeguarding Lead, Heads of KS3 and 4, Head of Sixth Form, School Counsellors, Learning Support Coordinator.  

Key responsibilities 

• To provide a high-quality counselling service to pupils experiencing a wide range of needs. 
• To provide support, guidance and advice to parents, carers and the school. 
• To observe confidentiality and to support the school’s endeavour to provide excellent teaching and learning for all pupils. 
• Contribute to the safeguarding and promotion of the welfare and personal care of children and young people.

Qualifications, knowledge and experience 

• Relevant counselling qualification, minimum HBO level or equivalent international qualification. 
• Experience with the needs of Senior School pupils and their families.  
• Professional/personal characteristics 
• The ability to develop and promote a positive relationship with pupils. 
• Good interpersonal skills and strong listening and communication skills. 
• A non-judgmental outlook and a willingness to work with all kinds of people. 
• A sensitivity to the importance of cultural differences and international communities. 
• To manage appropriate professional boundaries in the relationships with students and their families. 
• A belief that all children are able to make positive changes. 
• An understanding of confidentiality issues. 
• An ability to cope with emotional situations and to remain calm under pressure. 
• An innovative, enthusiastic, energetic and flexible approach. 
• Collaborative working style and strong work ethic. 
• Ability to work independently and manage own workload. 
• Professional desire to keep up to date with development in the field of counselling. 
• Fluency in both spoken and written English. A working knowledge of Dutch would be an advantage.

As a School Counsellor, monthly supervision sessions are provided.

Applications process

Candidates should use the TES application process. Applications should include a covering letter, addressed to the Principal, Paul Morgan and the contact details for two referees. The closing date is 4 July.

Safeguarding

The School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. The offer of the role will be made subject to receipt of satisfactory references, proof of relevant qualifications, identification checks and other safeguarding checks, and overseas checks (where appropriate).