JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION

Job Title:Assistant Learning Mentor

Reporting Line:Director of Alternative Provision and Alternative Provision Manager

Purpose of the Job:To support student learning at our Near to School Facility – The Gateway

Salary Scale:Actual salary: £14665.51 pro rata to the full time equivalent of £17072for working during the school term including Inset days (a total of 39 weeks)

Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week between the hours of 8.00am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday. Exact times to be agreed with Director of Alternative Provision

Closing date: 8th December 2015 Interviews: Monday 14th December 2015

The Academy – an introduction from the Principal:

Shoreham Academy is an outstanding 11-18, non-selective academy where everyone - staff and students - strive to be the best that they can be. We are an outstanding school on our journey to become a truly great school.

We see each child as an individual and seek to give them an education which best suits their abilities and interests. By the time they leave the academy, we want students to be confident and articulate individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to make a real success of their lives. We will provide education with character to ensure that our young people are aspirational, resilient and responsible citizens.

As a member of the United Learning group, we have a secure and bright future ahead of us as well as a ‘state of the art’ new building which we moved into in Easter 2012.

We are only able to achieve such successes by recruiting the very best staff, so we are looking for skilled, enthusiastic and creative staff who will help us to maintain our long term goal of being the outstanding school of ‘first choice’ for our local community.

I would like to thank you in advance for considering this post and if you believe you fulfil our requirements I very much look forward to receiving your application in the near future.

Jim Coupe

Principal

The Gateway Alternative Provision Centre

Shoreham Academy looks to provide the best educational opportunity for all its students. In this new and exciting facility, the Gateway Centre will provide intervention strategies. Students will be given the opportunity to gain the tools to be successful in situations they might find a challenge to their learning.

This new role will help facilitate this change.

* Please be aware that if funding for The Gateway is withdrawn or reduced in the future you may be redeployed to work at the Shoreham Academy as a Teaching Assistant.

This position is temporary in the first instance until 22nd July 2016. However, should funding allow it may be extended.

Key Areas and Accountabilities

  • To support Lead Mentors with research and planning tasks on a range of subjects.
  • Have a range of behaviour management strategies that you can use successfully with students under the guidance of Mentors
  • Be able to work independently in organising and preparing work for students as directed by the Mentors
  • To provide in class support as directed by the Mentors, and deliver tasks within a small group or work one to one with a range of students
  • To support in the planning and delivery of a wide range of extra-curricular activities which promote learning, good behaviour, better social skills and well-being.
  • To support Lead Mentors in ensuring smooth transition for selected students as they move from year to year.
  • Helping with transition activities for learners moving to secondary schools.
  • To inform Lead Mentors of the strategies and progress (emotional and academic) of students you work with
  • Support learners who are underperforming in their subjects in or out of the classroom as directed by Lead Mentors
  • Supporting learners in self-esteem and confidence building activities, taking a lead in some activities
  • Listen to learners with issues that are creating barriers to learning, and pass on those concerns to the Lead Mentors
  • Support agreed action plans with learners, monitoring their progress and informing Lead Mentors
  • Monitoring attendance and punctuality of highlighted learners, as directed by Lead Mentors
  • Support group sessions and workshops for parents at school, as directed by Director of Alternative Provision or Senior Learning Mentor
  • Supporting breakfast clubs and after school clubs, such as homework clubs, reading clubs, sports, music and discos, during lunchtimes or as out-of-school activities.
  • Supporting drop-in ‘offload’ sessions for learners, where they can talk about a particular issue as directed by Lead Mentors
  • Supporting group activities
  • To maintain accurate records on named students which measure the impact of your intervention and support in the preparation of written reports and evaluations
  • Undertaking relevant training, as required.
  • To ensure your Line Manager is informed immediately of any concerns in relation to the students you mentor/support.
  • To ensure the Child Protection Officer is informed immediately of any concerns relating to safeguarding in relation to the students you support.
  • To attend team meetings as required.

General

  • To attend school and relevant wider based training sessions as required or necessary.
  • To fulfil the needs of the Department
  • To attend meetings and undertake duties as reasonably directed by the Principal and Director of Alternative Provision
  • Other duties and responsibilities as directed by the Director of Alternative Provision, the Principal or Senior Leadership Team, within the capacity of providing departmental support

Other duties and responsibilities.

Whilst every effort has been made to explain the main duties and responsibilities of the post, each individual task undertaken may not be identified. Employees will be expected to comply with any reasonable request, from the Principal, members of the Senior Leadership Team or their line manager, to undertake work of a similar level that is not specified in this job description.

Shoreham Academy will endeavour to make any necessary reasonable adjustments to the job and the working environment to enable access to employment opportunities for disabled job applicants or continued employment for any employee who develops a disabling condition.

All staff and volunteers are expected to be courteous to colleagues and provide a welcoming environment to visitors and telephone callers.

All staff and volunteers must observe Health and Safety procedures to ensure a safe working environment.

Shoreham Academyis committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young children, therefore all positions are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS).

If you would like any further information or have any questions please contact Carol Cox, Senior HR Officer.

To apply for this post please complete the Application Form, Applicant Monitoring Form, Confidential Disclosure and return them to Carol Cox by the closing date.

Applications and/or questions can be made via e-mail to (preferred method) or via post to Carol Cox, Shoreham Academy, Kingston Lane, Shoreham-by-Sea, BN43 6YT

Please note that we do not accept CVs as a method of application.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Assistant Learning Mentor

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications
Relevant training for working with young people aged between 11-19 / X
NVQ accreditation in a relevant subject or area / X
Minimum grade C in English/Maths / X
Degree / X
Experience
Experience of working with young people aged 11-19 / X
Proven track record of successfully working with disaffected young people / X
Experience of working in a secondary school setting / X
Skills/Knowledge/Abilities
Good working knowledge of ITC and educational software / X
Excellent communication and listening skills / X
Problem solving / X
Good research and planning / X
Determination to see a problem, look for, and put solutions in place / X
Respond well to pressured situations / X
Non-judgemental / X
Organised / X
Able to manage time effectively / X
Flexible and adaptable / X
Ability to relate to young people and adults / X
Role model expected behaviours / X
Ability to work autonomously and as part of a team / X
Have knowledge of the principles of giving advice and guidance to young people / X
Rights and responsibilities of parents / X
Handle all information with respect and confidentiality / X
Attitudes
A commitment to and an enthusiasm for the post / X
Willingness to learn the aspects of secondary school organisation / X
Other Factors
Ability to write reports and maintain accurate records / X
Committed to equality and diversity / X
Committed to safeguarding / X
Attendance at some evening and early morning meetings may be required / X