Job opening: Academic Year 2026/2027
Opening for: International
Purpose
The Secondary School Counselor plays a key role in supporting the emotional, social, and academic wellbeing of students from Year 7 to Year 13. The Counselor provides guidance and intervention to help students manage personal and academic challenges, make informed decisions, and prepare for their future educational and career pathways. In addition to counseling responsibilities, the role includes teaching wellbeing-related classes (such as personal development, relationships, and sex education) and helping students apply in career planning and university readiness. The Counselor also contributes to maintaining a safe, inclusive, and positive school environment that prioritizes mental health, student growth, and resilience.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Master's degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, or Education with a focus on Guidance and Counseling is preferred.
- Bachelor's degree in a related field may be accepted with relevant experience.
- Minimum 35 years of experience in a counseling or guidance role, preferably in an international or secondary school setting.
- Certification or licensing as a school counselor is preferred.
- Familiarity with international education systems (e.g., IGCSE, IB, or equivalent).
- Experience teaching wellbeing, personal development, or life skills programmes.
- Proven experience providing academic and career counseling to adolescents, including university and subject selection guidance.
- Strong understanding of adolescent development, mental health, and transition challenges.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for collaboration with students, staff, and parents.
- Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive matters with empathy, confidentiality, and professionalism.
- Police record check and strong commitment to child protection and safeguarding.
- Proficiency in English (spoken and written).
- Duties & Responsibilities
1.Socioemotional Support & Guidance
- Provide individual and group counseling to support students emotional, social, and academic wellbeing.
- Maintain a confidential caseload of students requiring regular support, documenting sessions appropriately and reporting updates to the Head of Secondary when needed.
- Teach wellbeing, personal development, and sex education classes, ensuring lessons are age-appropriate, inclusive, and aligned with school and safeguarding policies.
- Conduct workshops and guidance sessions on study skills, goal setting, time management, decision-making, and transition readiness.
- Collaborate with teachers and academic coordinators to identify students who may benefit from additional academic or emotional support.
- Lead or facilitate wellbeing and personal growth activities such as assemblies, themed weeks, or advisory sessions.
- Serve as a core member of the school's safeguarding and child protection team, promoting awareness and compliance among staff and students.
- Provide crisis intervention and follow-up care in cases of emotional distress, bullying, or other student welfare concerns.
- Maintain accurate and confidential records of all counseling, referrals, and follow-ups in line with school policy.
- Support orientation and transition programs for new students and assist graduating students in preparing for post-secondary pathways.
- Participate in regular meetings with the leadership team to review student wellbeing and guidance initiatives.
- Stay up to date with trends in adolescent counseling and mental health support.
- Engage in professional learning and development to enhance counseling and teaching practices.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties requested by the Head of Secondary or Head of School related to student wellbeing and guidance.
2.University and Careers Guidance
- Engage in professional learning and development to enhance counseling and teaching practices.
- Build and maintain relationships with global universities.
- Familiarize students with application platforms (Unifrog, UCAS, Common App).
- Support students in exploring study options and guide them through admission processes.
- Assist with preparing personal statements, essays, and gathering academic requirements (transcripts, recommendation letters).
- Ensure timely submission of university applications.
- Organize virtual and in-person university fairs, workshops, webinars, and information sessions.
- Collaborate with parents, alumni, and industry professionals to enhance student employability and progression opportunities.
- Research, plan, and organize university visits/workshops and university fairs.
- Offer guidance on internships, work experience, volunteer opportunities, gap years, and scholarship applications.
- Provide one-on-one career counseling sessions, helping students identify interests, strengths, and potential career pathways.
- Administer and interpret career assessments, aptitude tests, and personality inventories to support informed decision-making.
- Organize workshops on employability skills, CV/resume building, mock interviews, networking, and professional etiquette.
- Maintain records of students university applications, career development milestones, and internship or work experience participation.
- Curate and update career resources, including guides, industry insights, and university program information.
- Share alumni career journeys to inspire and inform current students about pathways and opportunities.
- Plan and organize a few enrichment courses or external workshops per term for secondary students.
