School Counsellor

School Counsellor Grade F £25,152 - £28,167 (Term time only actual salary) Whickham School is a high performing and over subscribed 11-18 school in Gateshead. Staff and students enjoy working and learning at our school and have created a culture that facilitates high levels of attainment and progress. Student progress is significantly above regional and national averages. The school has built an excellent reputation for the quality of provision provided to students and has made significant progress in becoming a place where students fulfil their potential. We are forward thinking and outward facing, particularly in the areas of diversity and mental health. We believe in restorative approaches, our systems are set up to de-escalate and return children to lessons as much as possible. We challenge our pupils to have a growth mindset and to strive to be the best they can be, no matter what obstacles they face. Whickham is a school where everyone is valued and where learning is cherished in a safe, caring and supportive environment. The school is seeking to recruit a School Counsellor to be part of a multidisciplinary team that supports the mental and emotional wellbeing of our pupils. The role of School Counsellor is a an extremely important position within Whickham School where the successful applicant will have the opportunity to:

• Provide a confidential counselling service to pupils at Whickham School through individual sessions, responding to their personal, social, emotional or educational concerns.
• Develop a workshop programme for the school pupils to support their emotional wellbeing.
• Promote a caring and supportive environment where such concerns may be explored, thereby promoting the mental and emotional health at Whickham School.
• Oversee, lead and support a team of trainees on placement from external agencies
• To work with a diverse range of issues including transition, sexuality, eating disorders and self-harm, depression, anger management, anxiety and fears.
To recruit and retain the highest calibre staff the school offers a number of enhancements for colleagues. These include:
• High priority for admission of children of staff to the school.
• Access to school fitness facilities, including a gym.
• Access to salary sacrifice schemes.for electric vehicles and bicycles, subject to qualifying criteria.
• Access to a range of training programmes to ensure professional development.
• A supportive environment where work/life balance issues are considered carefully
Specific details regarding the role and skills and qualities that the successful candidate will need to demonstrate are in the job description and person specification. We welcome visits by prospective applicants to the school. Please contact Lucy Saint by email lsaint@whickhamschool.org if you wish to arrange a time to see the school. Applications should be submitted by 9am on Thursday 5th December 2024. Whickham School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our students and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We have a robust Safeguarding Policy and all staff will receive training relevant to their role at induction and throughout employment with the school. This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service criminal records check for work with children.

Whickham School is a high performing and over subscribed 11-18 school in Gateshead. Staff and students enjoy working and learning at our school and have created a culture that facilitates high levels of attainment and progress. Student progress is significantly above regional and national averages. The school has built an excellent reputation for the quality of provision provided to students and has made significant progress in becoming a place where students fulfil their potential. We are forward thinking and outward facing, particularly in the areas of diversity and mental health. We believe in restorative approaches, our systems are set up to de-escalate and return children to lessons as much as possible. We challenge our pupils to have a growth mindset and to strive to be the best they can be, no matter what obstacles they face. Whickham is a school where everyone is valued and where learning is cherished in a safe, caring and supportive environment.