School Counsellor

Manchester Academy, Manchester, M14 4PX

11 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  As soon as possible

• Closing date

  8 November 2026 at 11:59pm

• Date listed

  28 October 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Pastoral, health and welfare
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Full time, term time: Monday to Friday 8am - 4pm Term time only
• Contract type: Permanent
• Pay scale: £35,000 negotiable depending on experience

What skills and experience we're looking for

Manchester Academy is seeking an experienced and resilient School Counsellor to support students facing a wide range of emotional, social and mental health challenges.

As a highly diverse school community, many of our students experience significant barriers to learning, including deprivation, family difficulties, trauma, anxiety and other complex issues. We are looking for a compassionate professional who has the confidence and expertise to work with challenging cases while building positive relationships with young people, families and external agencies.

The successful candidate will:

• Provide one-to-one and group counselling support.
• Manage complex and high-risk cases effectively.
• Work closely with safeguarding, pastoral and SEND teams.
• Promote positive mental health and wellbeing across the school.
• Support vulnerable students to overcome barriers and achieve success.

You will hold a recognised counselling qualification and have experience supporting children and young people with a range of emotional and mental health needs.

This is an opportunity to make a genuine difference within a diverse and inclusive school community where every student is encouraged to achieve their full potential.

This role offers term time only working, with all school holidays off.

Manchester Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. Enhanced DBS clearance will be required.

What the school offers its staff

More pay…

• We pay an average of 5% above national scales – the best rates of pay in the sector
• Cash towards medical treatment
• Generous staff discount scheme
• Generous pension scheme

More time…

• Three extra INSET days for planning
• At least one personal day a year

Flexible working opportunities

This role is term time only, with school holidays off.

We are open to discussions regarding flexible working.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

Apply for the job by following the link below.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

Additional documents

If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.

School Counsellor JD 2026.docx - 2.53 MB (opens in new tab)

About Manchester Academy

• Organisation type: Academy, Christian, ages 11 to 16
• Education phase: Secondary school
• Size: 1025 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 11 to 16
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Manchester Academy website
• Email address: hr@manchester-academy.org
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/manchester-academy

Manchester Academy is vibrant, dynamic and forward thinking teaching community which embraces diversity and is committed to ensuring the success of our students. We are located on the outskirts of the world famous Manchester City Centre which means excellent transport links into Manchester and the North-West.

Arranging a visit to Manchester Academy

To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email hr@manchester-academy.org.

School location

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