Counsellor
My name is Jessica Walkinshaw and I am the secondary counsellor and careers advisor at Arcadia. This is my second year here at Arcadia and 7th year working in Dubai. I have 13 years experience in education, having worked as a school counsellor for 1 year and Head of Music and Performing Arts department in a large school in Dubai prior to that. I have a Masters in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology, a Bachelor of Arts in Music and a Post Graduate Certificate in Education.
Throughout my career, I have worked in both primary and secondary schools in the UK and international settings. I have led performing arts and literacy across the key stages, worked as a teacher of special educational needs, and played a key role in developing wellbeing and Positive Education.
Working as a school counsellor at Arcadia this year, I aim to share my love of learning and passion for music, wellbeing and positive education with all students. I strongly believe in the application of student-centred and solution-focused positive psychology interventions to achieve the best possible progress for all children.
As a lifetime learner of the arts, I have a special interest in incorporating the expressive arts into counselling techniques used with my students. I believe in the power of creative expression to enhance the lives of students and discover their individual strengths. I am excited to be part of the Arcadia family this year to continue to support and motivate all learners to achieve their potential and flourish in an ever-changing world.