Working For Us
Lead Counsellor and Supervisor
Contract: Permanent
Salary: Band 7 of the SFCA Support Staff pay scale, point 23 – currently £41,019 pro rata per annum. Actual salary £13,013.51 pa.
Hours: Part time – 14 hours per week, term time only (38 weeks per year)
Closing date: Wednesday 4th March 2026
Varndean Sixth Form College is a thriving and successful sixth form college with an excellent reputation for high outcomes, providing an inspirational student experience and adding value to all of our community. Based in the city of Brighton and Hove we transform lives through exceptional education. We are proud of our dynamic culture, inclusivity and reputation as trailblazers.
We are looking for an experienced and compassionate Lead Counsellor and Supervisor. The Lead Counsellor will work 1-2-1 with students, providing high-quality mental health support to help them thrive academically and personally. The Supervisor element of the role will provide clinical supervision for therapists in training.
The successful candidate will be a qualified Counsellor and Supervisor with broad experience of working with young people or adolescents with a range of needs, as well as a proven track record and a genuine interest in working with and improving the life chances of young people so that they can engage in education. A successful candidate should also be able to demonstrate experience in managing risk in supervisees and show passion and enthusiasm in supporting the individual growth of trainee counsellors.
The College is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are required to have an enhanced DBS check. We value the diversity of our staff and students and we particularly welcome applicants from under-represented backgrounds.
We can offer:
- A supportive, communicative and consultative working environment.
- A commitment to the on-going professional development of our staff.
- The opportunity to join our Corporate Memberships to Freedom Leisure or the Brighton Gym, use of the College Fitness Suite and a Cycle to Work Scheme.
- A salary sacrifice Techscheme.
- The use of an Employee Assistance programme offering unlimited 24/7 support on a range of topics, issues and matters.
- Annual health screenings, flu shots and free eye tests, and free exercise/well-being classes.
- Access to Staff Welfare services on a referral basis.
- Free use of College Library resources.
- Regular staff social events throughout the year.
To Apply:
For further information please see the candidate information pack. Completed applications must be received by the closing date below. Please apply via our partner website, TES Jobs, by clicking on ‘Apply here’. Please ensure that your TES profile is complete before submitting your application.
Suitable candidates may be invited to interview prior to the closing date and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.
Interviews: w/b 9th March 2026
Payroll & HR Administrator
Contract: Permanent
Salary: Band 4 of the SFCA Support Staff pay scale, point 12 – currently £29,544 pro rata per annum. Actual salary £17,965.95 pa.
Hours: Part time – 22.5 hours per week (over 3 or 4 days negotiable), full year
Closing date: Friday 20th February 2026
Varndean College is a thriving and successful sixth form college with an excellent reputation for high outcomes, providing an inspirational student experience and adding value to all of our community. Based in the city of Brighton and Hove we transform lives through exceptional education. We are proud of our dynamic culture, inclusivity and reputation as trailblazers.
We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented Payroll and HR Administrator to support our HR team. The successful candidate will ensure accurate, timely, and compliant payroll processing by liaising with our external payroll service provider (IRIS), preparing and verifying payroll data, managing pension administration, and monitoring mandatory safeguarding training. The successful candidate will have experience of using payroll software, Google Suite functions and Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, and excellent attention to detail at all times. CIPP qualification (or equivalent experience) and experience of working in a FE setting desirable.
The College is dedicated to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All staff are required to have an enhanced DBS check. We value the diversity of our staff and students and we particularly welcome applicants from under-represented backgrounds.
We can offer:
- A supportive, communicative and consultative working environment.
- A commitment to the on-going professional development of our staff.
- The opportunity to join our Corporate Memberships to Freedom Leisure or the Brighton Gym, use of the College Fitness Suite and a Cycle to Work Scheme.
- A salary sacrifice Techscheme.
- The use of an Employee Assistance programme offering unlimited 24/7 support on a range of topics, issues and matters.
- Annual health screenings, flu shots and free eye tests, and free exercise/well-being classes.
- Access to Staff Welfare services on a referral basis.
- Free use of College Library resources.
- Regular staff social events throughout the year.
To Apply:
For further information please see the candidate information pack. Completed applications must be received by the closing date below. Please apply via our partner website, TES Jobs, by clicking on ‘Apply here’.
Please ensure that your TES profile is complete before submitting your application.
Suitable candidates may be invited to interview prior to the closing date and we reserve the right to close the vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.
Closing date: Friday 20th February 2026
Interviews: w/b 23rd February 2026
Application forms and further information about applying for jobs at Varndean Sixth Form College are listed below.
We are positive about disability! We are committed to the principles embedded within the disability confident scheme and welcome applications from anyone who has a disability.
We will interview all applicants who declare a disability and evidence in their application that they meet the essential criteria for a job vacancy.
If you would like further information about any of the positions available, please contact Human Resources:
Email: recruitment@varndean.ac.uk
Tel: 01273 546637
The college is committed to equality of opportunity and to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. All staff employed by Varndean Sixth Form College are subject to an enhanced DBS check.
We value diversity and welcome applications from applicants from all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applications from sections of the community which are currently under represented at the College, including BAME and applicants with disabilities. Please note we will not use any personal information relating to your background at any stage of the application process. We are also prepared to make our standard application forms available in other formats to help any disabled candidates to apply. Please email/call to request.
We are always looking for new talent. If you would like to join the College but can’t see any relevant vacancies to apply for, why not send us a copy of your CV. We would love to hear from you.
Varndean Sixth Form College will process all applicant data in accordance with Varndean College’s applicant Privacy Notice.