Job Description
Post Title: Teaching and Learning Mentor
Hours: 35 per week (plus 5 INSET Days)
Department: EYFS, KS1, KS2
Reporting to: Jessica Jenkins (Executive) Principal
Salary within the range: C1 (C2 for an exceptional candidate)
Wellspring Academy Trust is a growing Multi-Academy Trust with thirty-three schools, making the Trust one of the largest in the North. We are committed to making a difference to the lives and life chances of the young people and the communities we serve and believe in the potential of our team to achieve remarkable things.
Purpose of the post
An opportunity has arisen for a Teaching and Learning Mentor to join our team at Victoria Primary Academy. We are looking for a teammate who believes in the infinite potential of little people and is passionate about a role in unlocking their future. The candidate will work closely with the SENCO, class teachers and other support staff to drive inclusive practice for our children as part of a team member of a thriving phase in our wonderful school. They will bridge the gap between the work of the pastoral team and that of the teaching teams. This role will be to support class teachers/SENCO in the coordination of SEN Plans, work with a dedicated team, deliver intervention, support colleagues, teach small groups of children and on occasion the whole class. The role will ensure that, as part of the team, children enjoy an inclusive experience.
We welcome applications from those with experience in schools (mainstream and special settings), working with children with Special Educational Needs and have at least a Level 3 qualification or equivalent in the field of working in education.
The school is at an exciting point in its journey, with the next few years highly focused on developing excellence in all that we do. No matter what your personal aspirations for the future are, and whatever stage in your career you are at – this could be the role which enables you to take the leap into that future.
You will enjoy a diverse role with the opportunity to both lead classroom teaching and support pupils’ learning in the classroom, to lead interventions throughout the day and play a full part within the school community. We focus on enabling rich experiences for our children to ensure they thrive.
We are fully committed to your professional development and believe we have the perfect conditions for growth amongst warm and friendly colleagues.
At Victoria Primary Academy, situated in Leeds 9, you will discover a building jam-packed full of beautiful little people, and teaching teams who are passionate about offering the very best quality provision in all aspects of their school experience – because we simply believe they deserve nothing less. We have a strong desire to ensure that our children have everything that they need to become successful adults when they leave us. If you are passionate about improving the life-chances of young people, then this could be the opportunity you have been seeking.
Visit our website https://vpaleeds.co.uk/ for more information about our school
If you:
● Are enthusiastic about building positive relationships with children and adults
Love the impact you can make on the life chances of children
● Are committed to your own professional development
● Are a strong team player who enjoys collaboration with colleague
● Have experience of leading learning in group and whole class situation
● Are passionate about every child’s entitlement to good quality learning
…then we want to hear from you.
What can we offer
● Fantastic children
● A supportive and dedicated team who enjoy high levels of collaboration
● A fun-filled career where you can truly make a difference
● Personalised CPD through our Appraisal Programme.
● Opportunities for your own professional development
Interested applicants are invited to speak with Executive Principal, Jessica Jenkins, to find out more.
Teaching and Learning Mentor: Key Responsibilities
Leading on teaching and learning:
Use specialist skills/training/experience to support pupils meet their learning outcomes
Support the class teachers and the SENCO in the delivery, coordination and tracking of interventions across a phase
Model to teaching assistants, how to deliver key interventions or work with the SENCO to enable staff to meet the needs of the pupils via training, coaching and mentoring.
Assist with the development and implementation of SEN Support Plans/Behaviour Plans/EHCs and personalised plans.
Drive learning environments to ensure they are conducive to inclusive teaching and learning.
Provide feedback to pupils in relation to progress, achievement, behaviour and attend meetings to devise plans to further develop the child.
Receive and supervise pupils excluded from, or otherwise not working to, a normal timetable ensuring learning continues.
Develop 1:1 mentoring arrangements with pupils and provide support for distressed pupils.
Be responsible for maintaining and updating records, information and data as agreed with the teacher, and SENCO contributing to reviews of systems/ records as requested and producing analysis and reports as required.
Provide information and advice to enable pupils to make choices about their learning/ behaviour/ attendance.
Work with the Family/Safeguarding team and the Inclusion and Pastoral team closely to meet the needs of children.
In class support:
Support the class teacher in delivering 1:1, small group work and on occasion cover classes under the direction of a teacher.
Enable learners by implementing strategies and provision within their SEN Plans. Monitor progress and adjust support as needed.
Support pupils consistently whilst recognising and responding to their individual needs. Support pupils have behaviour needs in a positive and supportive way.
Promote our values and instil a growth mindset in our children whilst working on their personal milestones for success
Attend to pupil’s personal needs and provide advice to assist in their social, health and hygiene development
Be/train to be a first aider who can support during learning time, at lunchtime or other school events.
Support with assessments of children’s needs to aid identification and measure progress.
Challenge and motivate pupils, promote and reinforce self-esteem.
Monitor and evaluate pupils’ responses to learning activities through observation and planned record achievement against predetermined learning.
Create and maintain a purposeful, orderly and productive working environment
Working as part of the Victoria Team:
Promote professionalism at all times, apply all safeguarding procedures and school policies in line with induction and training.
Attend team meetings and participate in professional development opportunities.
Establish productive working relationships with pupils, acting as a role model and setting high expectations.
Drive care and love for our children and enable them to thrive through positive regard for all.
Promote the inclusion and acceptance of all pupils within the classroom
Provide pastoral care and enable structure, routines and boundaries.
Liaise sensitively and effectively with parents/ carers as agreed with the teacher within the role/responsibility and participate in feedback sessions/ meetings with parents, or as directed by the teacher/SENCO.
Establish constructive relationships with parents/ carers, exchanging information, facilitating their needs for their child’s, supporting positive attendance, access and learning and supporting home to school challenges.
Standard Duties in all Trust Job Description
● Show a commitment to diversity, equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice
● Show a commitment to ensuring that children and young people learn in a safe environment ● Participate in relevant and appropriate training and development as require
Method of Working
Wellspring Academy Trust expects all staff to work effectively and cooperatively as part of a team, deliver quality support. This requires dealing with people politely and tactfully, and in accordance with Trust guideline policies and procedures. Wellspring Team members are expected to respect confidentiality and safeguarding practices at all times.
Public Relations
Considerable importance is attached to the public relations aspect of our work. Members of the Team must project a positive image of the Trust at all times and through all actions.
DBS Certificates
Wellspring Academy Trust takes its duty to safeguard the young people with which it works seriously. All Wellspring Team Members are required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Cindy Harrison
0113 248 2449
cindy.harrison@vpaleeds.co.uk