SCHOOL-BASED PSYCHOLOGIST (SENIOR PHASE GRADE 4 – 7)
COMMENCEMENT DATE: JANUARY 2027
SAHETI School is an independent, co-educational, English-medium school dedicated to the pursuit of excellence, while promoting the ethos and values of Hellenism. The school is situated in Senderwood, Bedfordview.
We are seeking a registered educational psychologist to join our Student Support team as the school-based psychologist for the Senior Phase (Grades 4 – 7). The psychologist supports learners’ emotional, learning, academic, cognitive, behavioural, social and developmental needs within the systems in which they function: family, school and peer group. This is done through direct intervention, consultation with teachers and parents/guardian’s and collaboration with the multi-disciplinary team to coordinate the right support at the right time. The psychologist also plays an active educational role, presenting psychoeducation workshops for learners, teachers and parents and contributing to the school’s communications.
Minimum Requirement:
- A master’s degree in educational psychology and current registration with the HPCSA as a psychologist.
- A minimum of 5-year work experience.
- Experience in psychometric assessment and in recommending and reviewing learning accommodations and concessions.
- Appropriate educational experience in a mainstream school is preferable, ideally with learners aged 9 – 13.
- A genuine commitment to working with children, adolescents, parents and staff.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills, including confidence in presenting to groups of learners, staff and parents and in writing for a general audience.
- The ability to work as part of a team.
- Creativity, and the ability to prioritise, multi-task and work under pressure.
- Flexibility and availability to respond to trauma and crisis situations.
- Computer literacy, with a sound working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
- A valid police clearance certificate and sexual offenders’ register clearance, as required of all staff working in a school.
Key Responsibilities
Learning support, accommodations and concessions
- Review existing accommodations and concessions for Grade 4 – 7 learners at regular intervals, and advise teachers, parents and the multi-disciplinary team on whether each remains appropriate, should be adjusted, or can be withdrawn.
- Advise on the most suitable accommodations and concessions for each learner, informed by assessment findings, classroom evidence and specialist reports.
- Oversee the process of applying for, implementing and monitoring accommodations and concessions for learners with specific learning barriers, in line with school policy and the requirements of the relevant assessment body.
- Conduct and interpret phase-appropriate psychological, cognitive and academic assessments, including baseline academic screenings.
- Work in partnership with teachers, head of departments to identify and address learners’ learning needs, and to promote motivation and engagement.
- Support key transitions, into Grade 4 and from Grade 7 into high school and ensure continuity of appropriate support.
Emotional, behavioural and social wellbeing
- Provide short-term individual and group counselling.
- Assess and intervene around learners’ emotional and behavioural needs.
- Promote positive peer relationships and a safe, inclusive school climate.
- Respond to trauma and crisis situations, supporting learners, families and staff.
Working with teachers, parents and families
- Guide and support teachers in meeting learners’ learning and developmental needs.
- Help families understand their child’s needs through parent guidance and communicate regularly about progress.
- Connect families with appropriate internal and external service providers.
Psychoeducation and communication
- Design and facilitate psychoeducation workshops for learners, teachers and parents on topics relevant to the development, learning and wellbeing of Grade 4 – 7 learners (for example emotional regulation, friendships, digital wellbeing, study skills and transitions).
- Contribute regularly to the school newsletter and other school communications, such as articles, wellbeing tips and parent resources.
Multi-disciplinary collaboration
- Coordinate and case-manage referrals from stakeholders, including the Head of Academics, Primary School Principal, and monitor referrals to external professionals (e.g. speech-language, remedial and occupational therapy, and external psychologists).
- Attend and contribute to regular multi-disciplinary team meetings, and case-manage feedback for learners in a therapeutic process.
- Keep accurate, confidential month-to-month records of learners in interventions and therapies.
- Promote effective working relationships between teachers and members of the multi-disciplinary team.
Professional standards
- Uphold the highest standards of professionalism and ethical practice as stipulated by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), including confidentiality and the management of dual roles.
- Maintain HPCSA registration and medical indemnity and continue professional development relevant to this phase.
- Report on work to relevant stakeholders, including the Head of Department, Head of Academic and the Primary School Principal.
Application Procedure: Kindly click on the link below to apply for the position.
https://saheti.erecruit.co/candidateapp/?Source=saheti%20Website/
Closing Date: 9 October 2026
SAHETI School is an equal opportunity employer and reserves the right to make an appointment prior to the closing date of this vacancy, should a suitable candidate be found. Submitting a CV does not entitle the applicant to automatically be invited for an interview. Failure to meet the pre-requisites of the advertised post will automatically disqualify applicants from consideration for the post. Should an applicant not hear from the school withing two weeks of the closing date it must be assumed that their application was not successful.
Please note that submission of your application to SAHETI School will be used solely for the purposes of recruitment of the above-mentioned vacancy and all internal process associated with this application.
This data could be used for statutory reporting, and the submission of your application confirms your consent. SAHETI School hereby confirms that we will ensure that your data is protected as per the POPI Act.
ISASA