School Counsellor

ISC group; Greater London; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

An independent academic institution in Greater London seeks a qualified counsellor or psychotherapist to provide therapeutic support to students. The role involves delivering evidence-based support through individual and small group interventions, alongside a collaborative team approach to pupil wellbeing. Ideal candidates will have experience with children, strong communication skills, and a commitment to mental health. Competitive salaries, ongoing professional development, and benefits such as a discount on school fees for children are offered.

Benefits

Competitive salaries and pay progression

Access to professional development opportunities

Generous pension schemes

Discount on fees for children at GDST schools

Free lunches for staff during term time

Cycle to Work scheme

Qualifications

• Professionally qualified counsellor or psychotherapist with accreditation (or working towards it).
• Experience ideally within educational contexts.
• Warmth and strong commitment to wellbeing.

Responsibilities

• Provide short-term evidence-based therapeutic support to Senior School pupils.
• Contribute to the whole-school approach to wellbeing.
• Work in partnership with parents and external agencies.

Skills

Experience with children or adolescents

Excellent communication skills

Commitment to safeguarding and mental health

Education

Professional qualification in counselling or psychotherapy

Accreditation with BACP, UKCP, BAAT, APC or similar

Job description

About the Role

This is a unique opportunity to join a deeply collaborative, student-centred pastoral team, where your expertise will make a real difference to the wellbeing of our pupils.

Working closely with the Assistant Head Pastoral, Safeguarding & DSL and our wider multi-disciplinary staff, you will provide short-term, evidence-based therapeutic support to Senior School pupils through both one-to-one and small-group interventions.

You will contribute to our whole-school approach to wellbeing, playing an active role in staff training, PSHCE provision, and wider pastoral strategy, as well as working in partnership with parents and external agencies to ensure a fully joined-up approach to pupil welfare.

About You

We are looking for a professionally qualified counsellor or psychotherapist with accreditation (or working towards accreditation) with BACP, UKCP, BAAT, APC or similar.

Experience with children or adolescents is essential, ideally within education, along with warmth, excellent communication skills and a strong commitment to safeguarding and mental health.

SCHS offers a collaborative, supportive environment with clinical supervision, ongoing CPD and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on pupils' lives.

About Streatham & Clapham High School

Streatham & Clapham High School is an independent, academically selective school for girls, aged 3 to 18 with over 870 pupils across the Prep and Senior Schools. The Senior School inhabits a four-acre site focused on an impressive 1930s building in a delightfully tranquil and leafy oasis of south London.

As part of the GDST, the UK's leading network of independent girls' schools, we can offer a variety of benefits, such as:

Competitive salaries and pay progression

Access to extensive professional development opportunities

Training grants for qualifications

Generous pension schemes

Free life assurance benefit

A discount of up to 50% on fees for children at GDST schools

Free lunches for all staff during term time

Interest free loans for training, computer purchase loans and travel season ticket loans

A Cycle to Work scheme

Good transport links

Competitive terms and conditions of employment

Applications should be received no later than 8:00 on 5 January 2026.

Interviews will take place shortly thereafter, though the school reserves the right to appoint an exceptional candidate at any stage of the application process.

The GDST is committed to diversity, inclusion and real change: a family where every individual is valued, respected and included.

We are committed to the safeguarding of children and child protection screening will apply to this post.