Summer School Counsellor in Oxford

Academy Royale International (ARI) runs award-winning academic summer schools for students aged 10 to 18. Since 2004, more than 50,000 students from over 175 nations have studied with us, living and learning on campus at colleges of the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge, and at Marlborough College.

Our students go deeper into subjects they love, from medicine, law and engineering to artificial intelligence, business and English language, in discussion-led classes with expert tutors. They leave with new friends from around the world, a clearer sense of where they are heading and the confidence to get there.

We hold the 2024 King's Award for Enterprise for International Trade and three Queen's Awards for Enterprise. We are accredited by the British Accreditation Council and the British Council, and hold a RoSPA Gold Award for student safety.

The role

Counsellors are at the heart of student life at ARI. Outside lessons, you are the first person students turn to: the friendly face at breakfast, the energy behind the evening activity and the calm presence on a night shift.

As part of the campus team, working day to day with Junior Deans, you help students from around the world feel safe, settled and inspired, and give them an extraordinary experience on campus at some of the world's most renowned academic institutions. If you love working with young people and want a summer that stretches you, this is the role for you.

What you will do

• Look after students. Be students' first point of contact outside lessons, supporting their wellbeing on campus and on trips, and managing day-to-day behaviour in line with the student rules.
• Bring the programme to life. Lead and support activities across the Social, Events and Enrichment programmes, from sport, drama and creative workshops to debates and public speaking, and put forward your own ideas.
• Get out and about. Support excursions, Study Support sessions and supervision between lessons, taking registers on the ground.
• Night shifts and airport transfers. Complete rostered night shifts, including curfew supervision and corridor patrols, and airport transfer duties for arrivals and departures. These are a normal part of every Counsellor's role.
• Make the big days memorable. Help deliver Arrival Day welcomes and campus tours, Exhibition Day, Graduation and departures.
• Keep everyone safe. Review the risk assessment before each activity, follow health and safety guidance, and report accidents, incidents and concerns promptly.
• Work as one team. Attend the daily team briefing and work closely with fellow Counsellors, Junior Deans and the Campus Management Team.

What you will bring

• A friendly, approachable manner, and the confidence to lead by example.
• Confidence and warmth when communicating with young people.
• The ability to build positive relationships with people from many backgrounds, as a strong team player.
• A positive, respectful and professional approach at all times.
• Initiative, and a willingness to step in and help Junior Deans and the Campus Management Team.
• Organisation and resourcefulness: you stay on top of what is happening and know where to find information or who to ask.
• Flexibility, including comfort with night shifts, airport transfers and plans that change.
• A clear commitment to ARI's values.
• Experience of working with young people.
• Good situational awareness.
• Excellent spoken English, because you will be explaining rules, leading activities and responding quickly in safety situations.
• A-levels or equivalent.
• Aged 18 or over by the start of your first session, as the role involves supervising students under 18.
• At least one year of higher education.
• Experience with students aged 12 to 18.
• Experience of leading a team or working under pressure.
• The ability to lead an activity in an area of interest, such as sport, drama, music or art.
• Location: Oxford or Cambridge, on campus at university colleges.
• Dates: Oxford: 4 to 17 July, 18 to 31 July and 1 to 14 August 2027. Cambridge: 4 to 17 July and 18 to 31 July 2027. Training and set-up days come before students arrive.
• Hours: 40 hours a week across 6 days, on a rota of morning, afternoon, evening and night shifts.
• Contract: Fixed term.
• Pay: £13.20 an hour (£1,056 per two-week session), plus holiday pay.
• Accommodation and meals: Residential and non-residential roles are available. Residential roles are limited, and residential Counsellors receive accommodation and certain meals on campus. Non-residential Counsellors commute to campus.
• Training: Online training, including safeguarding, before the summer, then an in-person induction and campus set-up before students arrive.
• Reports to: Line managed by the Programme Director, with tasks coordinated day‑to‑day by Junior Deans.
• Inspiring places. You work on campus at world‑renowned universities and leading schools, and represent ARI in these settings every day.
• An international community. Every summer brings together students and staff from many nationalities and backgrounds. Many students return year after year, and some go on to join our teams.
• Training that sets you up to succeed. Every role receives online and in‑person training before the summer, and development continues throughout the programme, with regular feedback from your Programme Director.
• A team that has your back. We give and receive feedback, celebrate success together and always put the student experience first.
• Responsibility that counts. Every role, from Counsellor to Programme Director, makes a real difference to young people's safety, wellbeing and ambitions.

Our mission and values

Our aim is to give every student an extraordinary experience. Everything we do is built on Safe, Happy and Learning: we keep students safe, help them make lasting friendships and give them high‑quality, challenging learning. We look for people who share our four values: Responsible, Informed, Personable and Positive.

Safeguarding and equal opportunities

ARI is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects every member of staff to share this commitment. This role involves regulated activity with children and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, so some spent convictions and cautions must be declared. Appointment is subject to an enhanced DBS check including the Children's Barred List, satisfactory references and proof of the right to work in the UK, which we check for every successful applicant.

We are an equal‑opportunity employer committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

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