REDMAIDS' HIGH SCHOOL
FOR GIRLS·BRISTOL
GDST
Self-Employed School Counsellor
1 Year Fixed Contract 1634 Closing Date: Monday 11 May 2026
Redmaids' High School GDST: A company limited by guarantee, company number 6400. Registered address: 10 Bressenden Place, London SW1E 5DH. Registered charity number: 306983
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About The Role
We are seeking a School Counsellor to join our pastoral team at Redmaids' High School. Student well-being is at the heart of all we do, and this role is an exciting opportunity for the right professional to support this. We are looking for someone with strong communication skills together with the ability to maintain professional confidentiality and boundaries.
This a self-employed position, starting from 7 September 2026, working term time only for 1 day per week for the 2026/27 academic year with possible extension.
The School Counsellor will be responsible for providing a professional and confidential counselling service for students, working in coordination with our two School Counsellors and in conjunction with the Deputy Head Pastoral.
Candidates must be trained in counselling and listening skills, and registered, or in the process of registering, with the BACP or BAAT/HCPC.
Job Details and Remuneration
Hours: One day per week, Tuesday or Friday. 8.30am to 5.15pm for 35 weeks a year, term time only.
Counselling provision may also be required if there is an unforeseen community event that occurs during a school holiday. Any additional hours worked in such circumstances will be paid.
Contract: Self-employed; the School Counsellor will invoice the School.
About Redmaids’ High School GDST
Occupying a spacious, green and open site near to Bristol city centre, Redmaids’ High School is the oldest girls’ school in Britain with a history that dates back to 1634. Formed out of a merger between the Red Maids’ School and Redland High School in 2016, we are one of the leading independent day schools in the UK. We offer an exceptional educational experience for girls and young women from 7 to 18 years, focused on aspiration, inclusivity, happiness and support for others. This has earned us year on year placement in the top schools’ rankings for our GCSE and A level results. A true all-through school, there is an incredibly close link between Junior and Senior Schools, with the vast majority of junior students (90%+) moving into Year 7 each year.
A proud member of the Girls' Day School Trust, the leading family of girls’ schools in the UK, we share a common ethos and commitment to fearless, girls’-first education, supporting staff and students alike through collaboration and empowerment across the network.
We are fortunate to have superb facilities across our interlinked Junior and Senior School sites. Our dedicated Sixth Form Centre provides first-rate quiet study and recreation space, while the main hall provides an outstanding venue for productions and concerts. We are equally proud of our sporting facilities including ‘The Lawns’, our specialist sports site for hockey, netball, cricket, tennis and athletics, which underpins our teams’ regular sporting successes at regional and national level.
Redmaids’ High is an inclusive environment, and we continue to take steps to enhance and improve our diversity and equality of opportunities. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
Mission Statement
Redmaids’ High is an inclusive community, based on happiness, aspiration, and support for others.
Our statement is supported by our Values, which outline the core aspects that will help us fulfil our mission. These are:
To know and understand each individual student.
To help students to understand themselves and their strengths.
To inspire students to forge a future of lifelong learning, in all its guises.
Our mission and values are simple, and deliberately so. We are proud of the achievements and destinations for all of our students, and this is the result of the hard work by all members of the community to ensure that students feel known and valued for who they are, as well as inspired about what they can be. We want all students to leave with the strong sense that they can go on and make a difference in their world, whatever they go on to do. A student’s definition of success is their own, but what we instill in them is a feeling that their sights should never be lowered by external forces.
The Pastoral Team
At Redmaids’ High School, the counselling team is integral to our delivery of an exceptional level of pastoral care. We currently have two school counsellors and are looking for an addition to the team for the coming school year, providing support for students and potentially staff when needed. Given the dynamic nature of our vibrant school, flexibility is key for all staff, including our counsellors.
Senior School students can self-refer without the need for disclosure to anyone else. At other times the Pastoral Team may refer students. Counselling sessions are currently limited to 6 per student and are based on individual needs. Students may return for more counselling as and when needed. Our school counsellors play a crucial role in the pastoral team, providing guidance and assistance to staff addressing various mental health concerns among the students.
The Pastoral Team comprises the Deputy Head Pastoral, Heads of Year, Assistant Heads of Year, three school nurses and the counsellors. The counsellor will actively participate in pastoral team meetings when needed and in case conferences, liaise with parents when required and collaborate with staff to educate the community and raise awareness about different aspects of mental health. This includes contributing to Mental Health Awareness weeks or other such campaigns. Applicants with experience in delivering group counselling interventions are particularly welcomed as this represents a growing area needed within the school.
Job Purpose
The School Counsellor will be responsible for providing a professional and confidential counselling service for students and possibly staff.
Key Responsibilities
Under the direction of the: Deputy Head Pastoral
Deliver 6 sessions per day of confidential counselling for students across the Junior and Senior Schools, and for staff, depending on need and other counselling department priorities.
Maintain the booking system and Counselling Service according to guidelines stipulated by GDPR and the BACP/HCPC guidelines.
Provide a formal and ethical staff counselling service at the end of each workday as required.
Maintain confidential notes on all counselling sessions.
Engage in regular counselling supervision according to BACP/HCPC guidelines.
Liaise confidentially with the Deputy Head Pastoral regarding matters that might need reporting to Social Services or other such bodies.
Liaise appropriately with members of the teaching staff informally and as part of pupil case conferences when required.
Provide a link between school and home where appropriate and in conjunction with the Deputy Head Pastoral.
Use professional judgement on information sharing and referrals to other agencies.
Help to maintain the Wellbeing Room as an environment conducive for students to engage in listening therapy.
Ensure that the whole school community is aware of the School Counsellor provision via participation in assemblies and by other means.
Together with the other two counsellors and members of the School's wider pastoral team, organise awareness campaigns within school.
In collaboration with the other School Counsellors, develop the counselling service links and provision between the Junior and Senior School.
Any other task or activity as reasonably requested by the leadership team, including unforeseen events that affect the school community during the holiday periods, requiring the offer of counselling provision.
Adherence to the School's safeguarding procedures; safeguard and promote the welfare of all students in and visiting the School.
Person Specification
The successful candidate will demonstrate the following skills, competencies and requirements:
Trained in counselling and listening skills, and registered, or in the process or registering, with the BACP or BAAT/HCPC essential;
Experience of working with children and young people is preferred;
Understanding of GDQP and confidentiality requirements in a school setting required;
Kind, personable approach with the ability to put others at ease;
Experience of delivering group work sessions is preferred;
Demonstrates clear empathy combined with the ability to empower young people;
Experience of delivering group counselling sessions is preferred.
Apply to join us
Interviews will be held during the week commencing 18 May 2026
The closing date for applications is Monday 11 May 2026.
The GDST are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and applicants must be willing to undergo child protection checks appropriate to the post, including online searches, and checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applicants from all qualified individuals. To be eligible for employment, candidates must provide proof of their right to work in the UK.