Reading Mentor

Salary: Support Staff Pay Scale E: £24,104 to £25,691 pro-rata per annum (Actual) (£26,403 - £28,142 full time/full year equivalent) Working Weeks: 41 weeks September 2026 Jane Austen College has a big mission - that every pupil leaves us being able to read confidently and fluently! Can you help us make this a reality? At Inspiration Trust our mantra is that all children can achieve and succeed, no matter what their background. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds have been more adversely impacted by the pandemic and we are therefore seeking a reliable, proactive and efficient Reading Mentor to join Jane Austen College in order to help our most vulnerable students close the gap between their reading age and their chronological age. Full training will be provided to deliver Thinking Reading, a 1:1 intensive reading intervention within the context of a high-performing academy chain with a vision for truly inclusive schools. The role will require you to help to develop and maintain effective and supportive relationships with the students you work with, and have a calm, clear and consistent approach to working with young people. You will need to deliver the Thinking Reading programme with a high degree of fidelity and engage in the required training in order to be able to do this successfully. What You will Be Doing To provide 1:1 or small group reading intervention delivery to ensure all have the ability to fulfil their potential. Monitor pupils’ responses to learning activities and accurately record achievement/progress as directed and provide detailed and regular feedback to teachers on pupils’ achievement, progress, problems, etc. Undertake structured and agreed learning activities/teaching programmes, adjusting activities according to pupil responses, including undertaking literacy and numeracy programmes. Promote good pupil behaviour, dealing promptly with conflict and incidents in line with established policy and encourage pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour. Assist with the supervision of pupils out of lesson times, including before and after school and accompanying teaching staff and pupils on visits, trips and out of school activities as required and take responsibility for a group under the supervision of the teacher. About You: The successful candidate will be patient, empathetic, and passionate about fostering a love for reading. You will possess strong communication skills, offer encouragement and constructive feedback to build student confidence. You will have active listening, adaptability, reliability, and the ability to connect with readers to unlock their potential. Essential: Good literacy, numeracy, and ICT skills. Experience of working with or caring for children of relevant age. Ability to evaluate learning needs and actively seek learning opportunities. Ability to relate well to children and adults. Basic understanding of child development and learning. Gener