Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy (OSCA) is located in the Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell, and in very close proximity to the centre of Birmingham. It is a slightly larger than average, 11–16 co-educational academy with approximately 1,200 students. It has grown over the last few years and is now full and oversubscribed in every year group for the seventh consecutive year. The academy’s reputation locally is excellent. OSCA was graded as a good academy, for the third time in 2023.

The academy has been recognised with a myriad of awards over recent years. These include the Investors In People Gold Award, The Quality In Careers Standard Gold Award, The Basic Skills Quality Mark, and the Artsmark Gold Award. This is a fantastic time to join the vibrant and caring learning community at OSCA. Its strong code of values guides its work and creates a secure and safe environment where all students can thrive and succeed. Staff are committed to ensuring every student reaches their full potential by having the highest aspirations and a commitment to both academic and personal excellence. Students speak positively about the “strong sense of community” at the academy and “the support they receive from the teachers”, with a Year 8 student describing life at OSCA as being part of “one big family.”

Our new colleague will also benefit from being part of Ormiston Academies Trust, a MAT of 43 primary and secondary academies. The Trust’s vision is for all young people to have access to the highest academic, social and practical skills required to achieve their full potential.  OAT support all staff so that they can enhance and develop their professional skills whatever their role within the trust.

We seek to recruit a qualified and experienced Counsellor to provide a high-quality counselling service to students experiencing a wide range of mental health and emotional problems.

The successful candidate will provide support, guidance and advice to students, parents/carers and the Academy and observe confidentiality, whilst supporting the Academy’s endeavour to provide excellent teaching and learning for all students.  The successful candidate will contribute to the safeguarding and promotion of the welfare and personal care of children and young people.

The successful candidate will:

• Be a confident & assertive individual;
• Have the ability to relate to young people;
• Have a flexible approach;
• Be able to work as part of a team.

Working hours:  2 days per week, term time only plus training days.  The days to be worked will be agreed between the successful candidate and the Inclusions Managers, to meet the needs of the academy.

Could you be the person we are looking for? If so, we look forward to hearing from you!

Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share in this commitment. Ormiston Academies Trust embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity.  Flexible working opportunities will be considered. 

All successful appointments will be subject to suitability checks in accordance with KCSIE, including identity, Right to Work, qualifications, online searches, prohibition check, two references and enhanced DBS check including Children’s Barred List.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. Guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, which provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications and related exceptions, can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/new-guidance-on-the-rehabilitation-of-offenders-act-1974