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School Counsellor

School Counsellor

Sevenoaks School

Sevenoaks, Kent

  • Expired
Job type:
Part Time, Permanent
Apply by:
5 December 2019

Job overview

Sevenoaks School is a large, co-educational independent school. Founded in 1432 by William Sevenoke, the school has developed an international reputation for innovation and academic success and is a flagship school for the International Baccalaureate.

The school is situated on Sevenoaks High Street, surrounded by fine views. The 100-acre site, which includes a number of listed buildings, is beautifully landscaped and adjoins the 1000-acre deer park of Knole. There are over 1100 pupils from age 11 to 18, including over 400 in the Sixth Form. About 350 pupils, from approximately 40 countries, board in the seven boarding houses.

The Health Centre is located on the school campus. It comprises of 2 consulting rooms, an office and waiting area along with a two-bedded area for the use of sick pupils during the day and further beds upstairs, with a quiet room for anyone needing ‘time out’. Boarders who are unwell are looked after in their own boarding houses.

The centre provides medical services to both pupils and staff and is a much valued part of the pupils’ pastoral system, assisting in looking after both their physical and emotional medical needs. 


The Role

The School Counsellors provide a service for pupils and staff based in the Health Centre.  There is a team of part time Counsellors, working with the Counselling Lead who is responsible to the Pastoral Deputy Head, but also works closely with the School Nurses and the School Doctor.  The candidate must have a Diploma or Degree in Counselling, or equivalent, and must have regular supervision with the Counselling Lead.

The School Counsellors are available to Tutors, Divisional Heads and the Pastoral Deputy Head for advice about pupils.

The counselling service for pupils is confidential in all matters, including drugs and sexuality.  The only exceptions are in the event of a disclosure of abuse (covered by the School’s Child Protection guidelines) or where there is a life-threatening situation (e.g. extreme anorexia or suicidal tendency) when the Pastoral Deputy must be informed. 

Under other circumstances, the School Counsellor may feel it appropriate to persuade the young person that the School and/or their parents should be informed in order to help resolve difficulties.

Pupils and staff can make appointments via the Health Centre or by email and all visits are coordinated by the Counselling Lead. Sometimes staff encourage pupils to see the School Counsellor, in which case they are kept informed about their attendance.

The School counsellor must maintain an expertise in issues such as sexuality, eating disorders, depression and anxiety in order to be able to provide expert support to the students.

The School counsellor will maintain an accurate and detailed record of work undertaken with each student and proactively report any safeguarding concerns.

The School Counsellor should promote positive well-being, emotional resilience and self-confidence.

We expect high standards of professional practice, complying at all times with BACP, and/or UKCP codes of practice.

Personal Qualities

  • The ideal candidate will be a qualified counsellor, with experience of working with adolescent children. They must have a warm, empathetic, approachable character  and be able to work with other members of the Health Centre and Pastoral team.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to deal with staff, students and parents in a friendly and professional manner.
  • Absolute discretion, tact and diplomacy.
  • Flexible approach.


Hours of work & Salary

The School Counsellor will be required to work on a weekday during term time for a minimum of three hours and a maximum of ten hours per week.  The exact hours will be agreed with the Lead Counsellor and Pastoral Deputy Head. The hours may change over the course of the school year depending on the need of the counselling service. 

The role will be on a self-employed basis.  The salary will be dependent on appropriate experience and qualifications.

The successful applicant will be offered the role subject to the satisfactory completion of a number of background checks including but not limited to; an enhanced DBS check, the taking up and verification of references, the verification of career history and fitness to undertake the role. 

All staff have a responsibility for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children with whom they come into contact and are required to adhere to and ensure compliance with the school’s Child Protection Policy Statement at all times. 

Please see the job description for full details & how to apply.

Closing date: 5 December 2019

Attached documents

About Sevenoaks School

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+44 1732 455133

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Founded in 1432, Sevenoaks enjoys a global reputation as a centre of academic excellence and a flagship school for the International Baccalaureate.  A co-educational day and boarding school, it offers a stimulating, intellectually demanding and balanced education for over 1200 students from ages 11 to 18.

Sevenoaks is one of the world’s leading IB schools, having taught the International Baccalaureate for over 40 years.  For nearly 20 years, all Sixth Form students have taken the full IB Diploma with consistently outstanding academic results which are testament to the school’s experience and commitment to the programme.

In 2023, the average Diploma score was 39.0 points, about eight points above the world average.  The Higher Education department supported applications of 246 students to universities in the UK, USA, Canada, Europe and Hong Kong with an outstanding 93 per cent progressing to their firm choice university.  The majority attend Oxbridge, London universities, or other Russell Group universities such as Bristol or Durham.  We also support about 20 per cent of our students in applying to international universities with increasing numbers going to North America, specifically Ivy League and top universities in the United States.

The school is situated in the Kent market town of Sevenoaks and has a prime position at the top of the high street.  The 100-acre site, which includes several listed buildings and attractive gardens, is beautifully landscaped and adjoins the medieval deer park of Knole.  London is only a 30-minute train ride away.  Gatwick airport is only 30 minutes by car, and there are good transport links to other London airports and the Channel Tunnel.

Sevenoaks students have access to a fantastic range of facilities on campus for co-curricular pursuits, including sport, music, drama and art, at least 70 clubs and societies, a wide range of study trips and exchanges, and a well-established community service programme.  Recent developments on campus include a superb sports centre, and a state-of-the-art performing arts centre, and a world-class Science and Technology Centre and a Global Study Centre for the Sixth Form.  An additional boarding house for boys, a contemporary building with light, modern facilities, opened in 2019, and a new girls’ boarding house is expected to open in 2024.

With seven distinctive and comfortable boarding houses, our boarding community is fun, friendly, and busy.  Boarding provides an excellent transition from home to independence and maturity; the Sixth Form boarding houses enable boys and girls to enjoy the benefits of boarding at an important stage in their school careers, and to prepare for life at university.

Accolades

In 2018 Sevenoaks School was, for the second time in 10 years, awarded The Sunday Times Independent School of the Year.  In the same year, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) awarded Sevenoaks School the highest grade – ‘Excellent’ – in both categories which formed the basis of the inspection: ‘Pupils’ Achievement’ and ‘Pupils’ Personal Development’.

Teaching at Sevenoaks:

Teaching here is immensely rewarding: we work in high-performing teams towards a shared endeavour.  Everyone appointed to teach at Sevenoaks School is expected to engage actively in all aspects of our broad and well-rounded education.

We want all our pupils to enjoy their subjects, to be inspired by their teachers and to become independent, lifelong learners.  Teachers are enthusiastic and well-qualified graduates.  We have an exceptionally lively, talented and committed staff body. We welcome applications from experienced teachers and newly-qualified teachers, but can also provide training including PGCE for those joining the profession at whatever stage.  All new staff undertake a comprehensive induction programme.  Sevenoaks is committed to supporting its staff with training and professional development tailored to staff needs and interests.

All teachers are involved in proactive pastoral care.  All teachers participate in the co-curriculum and, as our outreach activities expand, contribute to our work with local pupils and schools.  Teachers at Sevenoaks are innovative and forward-thinking many are involved in the Institutes of Teaching and Learning, Higher Education and Professional Insight, and Service and Partnerships, shaping further development and initiatives for students and staff alike.

What people say about us:

‘Tough for any university not to be an anti-climax after Sevenoaks.’ Good Schools Guide.

The International Baccalaureate

All new staff undertake a comprehensive induction programme.  No previous experience of teaching the International Baccalaureate, which we have taught since 1978, is necessary; gaining experience of teaching the IB, an internationally recognised qualification which we believe offers outstanding preparation for university and beyond, is stimulating and undoubtedly a valuable career asset.  Information about the IB can be found on the website www.ibo.org.

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Applications closed