School Counsellor - August 2026 (Female Only)

Downe House Riyadh is seeking an exceptional and dedicated School Counsellor to join our growing school from August 2026.

The School Counsellor will help and support the school community’s wellbeing and students’ affairs related to behaviour, academic achievement, and social and emotional development balance.

About Cognita

Cognita is a global leader in independent education. Founded in 2004, we are a growing community of 100+ schools in 16 countries - in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East - serving more than 85,000 students. Each of our schools are proudly unique, however our collective purpose is to create an environment where everyone can, ‘Thrive in a rapidly evolving world’.

At Cognita, we know every student is unique. We nurture their distinct personalities and strengths. We support them academically, socially, and emotionally, wherever they are in the world, wherever they’re starting from. We protect what’s special about them, while offering them rich knowledge, opportunities, and best practices. And they get to be part of something bigger; ensuring they get an education that’s, quite literally, world class.

About Downe House Riyadh:
Opened in September 2022, Downe House Riyadh delivers a world-class British curriculum in partnership with one of the UK’s most celebrated girls-only private schools. With over a century of excellence, Downe House UK consistently ranks among the country’s top five all-girls’ schools.

Located in the prestigious Aqeeq neighbourhood in northern Riyadh, the school offers a British curriculum enriched with Downe House UK’s tradition and expertise. The programme is carefully adapted for Saudi Arabia, ensuring girls achieve excellence in Arabic and Islamic Studies alongside core subjects.

The close partnership between the Riyadh and UK schools is evident in both philosophy and practice. At the heart of the Downe House ethos is the individual: every girl’s strength, challenges, and interests are recognised, with bespoke pathways that foster confidence and success.

Downe House Riyadh offers

• A first-class British education leading to IGCSEs and A Levels

• Academic excellence in girls’ education

• Exceptional pastoral care and opportunities for personal growth

• A wide range of co-curricular activities

The school nurtures intellectual curiosity, creativity, and respect for others through strong pastoral systems, personalised tutoring, and a spotlight on every student.

School Structure

• Pre-Prep: Nursery to Year 2 (ages 2–7)

• Prep: Year 3 to Year 8 (ages 7–13)

• Senior: Year 9 to Year 13 (ages 13–18)

Boys and girls are admitted from Pre-School to Year 4.

The state-of-the-art campus features dedicated libraries, central atriums, science and design labs, art studios, a 450-seat theatre, music, dance, and drama facilities, IT labs, and both senior and learner swimming pools.

Key Responsibilities

School Values and Ethos

• Actively promote our unique vision and the Downe House Potential through enthusiastic participation in all areas of school life.

• Ensure that you comply with any rules, policies and procedures implemented by the school and ministry of education

• Set consistently high expectations that inspire, motivate and challenge pupils.

• To ensure that you model the speaking of English when in the presence of pupils and in public areas of the school.

• To respect and support the Saudi culture.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• To comply with all safeguarding policies and procedures and ensure that any safeguarding concerns are reported in line with policy.

• To demonstrate a personal commitment to safeguarding and wellbeing.

• To engage fully in all safeguarding training as required.

Management

• Follow and implement school policies and procedures.

• Maintain a safe, purposeful and well-managed learning environment.

• Make effective use of teaching assistants to support learning where applicable.

• Build strong relationships with parents and contribute positively to the home–school partnership.

Professional Standards

• Attend assemblies, departmental meetings, parents’ evenings, school functions and staff meetings.

• Participate actively in professional development and training opportunities.

• Model exemplary behaviour and uphold high standards of professionalism, timekeeping and presentation.

• Take responsibility for self-reflection, professional improvement and high-quality teaching practice.

• Maintain productive and collaborative working relationships with colleagues.

Professional Standards

• To be responsible for the confidential counselling services to students as needed.

• To be responsible for maintaining appropriate and confidential records.

• To attend assemblies, departmental meetings, parents’ evenings, school

  functions and other staff meetings.

• To attend professional development and staff training opportunities.

• To recognise the importance of being an exemplary role model to all children within the school.

• To take personal responsibility for evaluating and reflecting upon your teaching in order to continually develop and improve your practice.

• To always maintain professional and productive relationships with colleagues.

Person Specification

(E = Essential, D = Desired)

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or master’s level in Counselling or Psychotherapy.(E)

• Further Therapeutic training or qualification in working with children and young people. (D)

• Good Written and verbal communications skills (E)

• Ability to work confidently on own initiative (E)

• Positive communication and listening skills (E)

• Patience, Tolerance, and sensitivity (E)

• A Mature and non-judgemental outlook (E)

We offer a supportive leadership team, excellent professional development opportunities, and the chance to be part of a vibrant and committed school community.

Why Join Downe House Riyadh?

• Be part of a prestigious, globally connected school with a reputation for excellence.

• Work within a supportive and professional team that values collaboration and innovation.

• Gain experience in a dynamic international school setting while contributing to a meaningful short-term project.

Our Offer

The successful candidate will benefit from an attractive tax-free salary. In addition, there will be a significant commitment to supporting the development and career goals of the successful candidates.

Applications can be submitted via the TES online application form, only fully completed application will be processed. To support your application, please include your current, up-to-date CV.

Interviews will take place online/ in person.

The school reserves the right to interview and appoint strong candidates before the official closing date, and therefore we would encourage candidates to apply early in the process.

Thank you for your interest in Downe House Riyadh. Due to the large number of applications expected, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Downe House Riyadh School and Cognita are committed to safeguarding the welfare of children and young people and expects the same from its employees. All new staff will be subject to detailed and enhanced pre-employment clearance, including identity checks, criminal background checks for all countries lived in, qualification checks, employment checks to include an exploration of any gaps in employment, and satisfactory reference checks for all employment in the last 10 years.