Job Description

Aldar Academies are currently seeking an outstanding Career Counsellor for Al Ain British Academy, commencing August 2026\.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the highly successful Aldar family.

Al Ain British Academy opened in September 2011 providing high quality education in the heritage ‘Garden City’ of the United Arab Emirates. The children are taught the English National Curriculum – tailored to be meaningful to children living in Al Ain. Facilities at the school are excellent and include a large astro-turf field, two swimming pools, well-stocked library, a large multi-purpose sports hall, an auditorium and outdoor play areas. It is an exciting, challenging and enjoyable school to work in where achievement for pupils is at the heart of all we do. The school has achieved outstanding levels of progress and attainment, supported by rigorous tracking of data and assessment in all areas of the curriculum.

Candidates must have a secure knowledge of teaching the English National Curriculum and GCSE. Experience of teaching students for whom English is not their first language, would be an advantage. Potential candidates must demonstrate a proven track record of implementing effective strategies to raise standards and plug gaps in learning to ensure outstanding progress for all. They will be able to demonstrate leadership skills/experiences at a variety of levels and to be effective in working collaboratively in a team.

The successful candidates will be closely aligned with our core values and ethos and possess a genuine understanding and appreciation of the values of the region.

Responsibilities

Main Duties

Assist the school in achieving its overall vision and strategic intentions and to contribute to the achievement of relevant targets as set out in the school’s improvement plan and self-evaluation form
Comply with regulations pertaining to health and safety at work legislation and adhere to school policies relating to safe working practice and equal opportunities regulations
Comply with the school’s Performance Management Policy ensuring challenging annual targets are set and to fulfil the role of performance management reviewer if directed to do so by the Principal
Engage in annual training linked to child protection, safeguarding and health and safety together with all training deemed appropriate for the purpose of school improvement or performance management
Comply with the school’s staff dress code at all times including the wearing of photo ID / lanyard
Comply with the school’s computer Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) at all times
Attend all staff briefings
Sign in and sign out at relevant school reception points, gaining all relevant permissions in timely manner if required to be off site at any point during the normal working day

Specific Duties

Personal University and Careers Guidance for Post 16 and KS3/4

To contribute to the strategic approach of the careers and university guidance team, collaborating with key staff, parents, students and key contacts to support the offer of an outstanding careers and guidance provision.
To work closely with the Assistant Principal, Key Stage Leads and the Heads of Year to facilitate and support with the transition from KS3 to KS4 and KS4 to KS5 processes.
To work closely with the university and guidance team to ensure the local and International university application deadlines are met.
To conduct student-focused, impartial, personal career guidance interviews which challenge and support students to make informed, realistic and adaptable career decisions.
To support students with profile building for competitive applications to universities locally and oversees.
To guide students through. Variety of university application portals locally and oversees, such as CommonApp, UCAS, Studielink and OUAC.
To generate and maintain students records electronically in support of personal guidance interviews, including a summary of agreed actions/action plans.
To monitor individual student progress across subjects (using ALPS) in relation to their careers and aspirations.
To manage the varying administrative needs of the university application process including any specific entrance examinations (SAT, UCAT, LNAT, BMAT, IELTS).

Careers Curriculum

To work across primary and secondary phases, informing curriculum planning to ensure future ready skills and initiatives are embedded in learning.
To work with the Extended Curriculum Lead, developing a portfolio or extracurricular activities which have real world implications.
To inform the options and pathways process across secondary – leading interviews, options evenings and parent meetings when required at KS4 and KS5 transition events.
To facilitate career-related learning activities in groups with students including leading and managing of Unifrog or similar platforms.
To review and enhance the impact of the annual whole-school Careers Week initiative, sourcing parent and external speakers to engage the wider-school and local community.

Career Guidance Programmes

To conduct staff training, student / parent workshops on future careers and university application processes.
To work with the Director of Inclusion and EAL Lead to develop access pathways and specialised options for students on the POD, EAL and AG\&T registers.
To organise careers fairs and other relevant activities in conjunction with the Assistant Principals for Pastoral and Student Wellbeing in Primary and Secondary.

Networking, Consultancy and Advocacy

To build relationships with relevant external agencies and networks for the benefit of students and the
enhancement of the career guidance programme.
To involve parents and carers, where relevant, in the career guidance programme and provision.
To organise and outside agencies, speakers and programmes which broaden the scope of our students’ opportunities.
To actively keep abreast of and promote wider opportunities offering career guidance and experience for students.
To negotiate Service Level Agreements, where relevant

Marketing and Social Media

To work with the PRE for Marketing and Communications to contribute and enhance the online presence and celebration of Careers provision at Yasmina
To support the review and enhancement of the Yasmina Alumni through the engagement and leadership of our YBA Connect alumni platform.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

BA Degree in Education or any related field

Minimum Experience

Minimum of 2 year2 experience in school counselling or other counselling experience required

Job Specific Knowledge \& Skills

Knowledgeable of careers and university provision and preparation programmes
Flexible and dedicated
Has integrity and strong personal communication skills
Highly organised and can manage timelines efficiently
Has competent IT skills
Has an appreciation of cultural diversity
Personal drive and ability to manage workload when working independently
Previous experience working with students whom English is not their first language
A high level of professionalism and consideration of the well-being of children
A positive and solution-focused attitude to working life

Aldar Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Offers of appointment are subject to satisfactory references and police clearance.

School Counsellor - Al Ain British Academy - AY26/27

Job Description

Looking for more opportunities?