School Councellor
Job Description
School Counsellor Role Profile
Purpose of Role
The Counsellor’s priority is to support the academic and social welfare of pupils by initiating and maintaining a positive relationship with pupils, staff and families in order to enhance the school’s academic mission of providing amazing learning. He/she is also responsible for engaging the community in building cooperative partnerships for the sake of a pupil’s success. He/she is expected to develop a healthy, safe and productive environment in which pupils can achieve their potential and are required to counsel and support pupils on personal development issues or when dealing with complex and sensitive issues.
School Counsellor Key Responsibilities
LEARNING AND TEACHING
Set high expectations which inspire, motivate and challenge pupils
● Establish a safe and stimulating environment for pupils, rooted in mutual respect
● Set goals that stretch and challenge pupils of all backgrounds, abilities and dispositions
● Demonstrate consistently the positive attitudes, values and behaviour which are expected of pupils
Promote good progress and outcomes by pupils
● Be accountable for pupils’ attainment, progress and outcomes
● Be aware of pupils’ capabilities and their prior knowledge, and plan teaching to build on these
● Guide pupils to reflect on the progress they have made and their emerging needs
● Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of how pupils learn and how this impacts on teaching
● Encourage pupils to take a responsible and conscientious attitude to their own work and study
Demonstrate good subject and curriculum knowledge
● Have a secure knowledge of the relevant subject(s) and curriculum areas, foster and maintain pupils’ interest in the subject, and address misunderstandings
● Demonstrate a critical understanding of developments in the subject and curriculum areas, and promote the value of scholarship
● Demonstrate an understanding of and take responsibility for promoting high standards of literacy, articulacy and the correct use of standard English, whatever your specialist subject
Plan and teach well-structured lessons
● Impart knowledge and develop understanding through effective use of lesson time
● Promote a love of learning and children’s intellectual curiosity
● Set homework and plan other out-of-class activities to consolidate and extend the knowledge and understanding pupils have acquired
● Reflect systematically on the effectiveness of lessons and approaches to teaching
● Contribute to the design and provision of an engaging curriculum within the relevant subject area(s)
● Contribute to the development of schemes of work and department resources
Adapt teaching to respond to the strengths and needs of all pupils
● Know when and how to differentiate appropriately, using approaches which enable pupils to be taught effectively
● Have a secure understanding of how a range of factors can inhibit pupils’ ability to learn, and how best to overcome these
● Demonstrate an awareness of the physical, social and intellectual development of children, and know how to adapt teaching to support pupils’ education at different stages of development
● Have a clear understanding of the needs of all pupils, including those with special educational needs; those of high ability; those with English as an additional language; those with disabilities; and be able to use and evaluate distinctive teaching approaches to engage and support them
Make accurate and productive use of assessment
● Fully support the mission and vision of Aspen Heights British School
● Fully support ISPs vision of ‘Amazing Learning’ for the school
● Helping children manage their feelings and deal with a range of incidents
● Providing group and individual support on an ad hoc and planned time to talk basis
● Providing group and individual interventions to support the development students’ non-academic skills
● Managing playground games, buddies and other systems within the school
● Monitoring and managing pupil attendance and punctuality
● Providing formal counselling with consent of the family
● Supporting staff in managing incidents and behaviour
● Supporting families – individuals, support groups and larger groups e.g. through workshops
● Working with staff to analyse in school assessments
● Working with the inclusion team, medical and safeguarding staff to provide the very best pastoral care for children
● Taking responsibility for personal professional development, keeping up to date with research and developments which may lead to improvements in the counselling service provided, arranging and delivering relevant training for staff as and when needs are identified.
● Meeting the requirements of the local regulatory body
● Contributing to the safe and smooth day to day running of the school
Providing training to support staff understanding of mental health needs and disorders
Fulfil wider professional responsibilities
● Make a positive contribution to the wider life and ethos of the school, including fulfilling extra-curricular activity expectations and other ‘out of hours’ requirements
● Develop effective professional relationships with colleagues, knowing how and when to draw on advice and specialist support
● Deploy support staff effectively
● Take responsibility for improving teaching through appropriate professional development, responding to advice and feedback from colleagues
● Contribute fully to the extra-curricular program within the department and assist in the organization and running of curriculum days.
● Communicate effectively with parents with regard to pupils’ achievements and well-being
Skills, Qualifications and Experience
Minimum Educational Qualifications Required for the Role
● Bachelor’s Degree in teaching from an accredited institution
● Meet professional teacher education requirements of school
● Child Care and Protection
Minimum Years of Experience Required
● 3 years’ full time teaching experience teaching from an accredited institution.
