Reading Mentor

Accrington Academy; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 23,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health cash plan

Free Will writing service

Westfield Rewards access

Gym discounts

Car leasing scheme

24/7 employee assistance programme

Job summary

Accrington Academy is seeking a Reading Mentor to join the Literacy team. You will run targeted one-to-one and small group reading sessions to boost fluency, comprehension and phonics, helping students develop a lifelong love of reading.

You will work closely with colleagues, monitor progress, and contribute to literacy programmes while meeting GCSE English and Maths requirements. The role supports flexible working and ongoing professional development.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Maths at grade C or above.
• Experience supporting reading and literacy development.
• Ability to work with students one-to-one and in small groups.

Responsibilities

• Deliver targeted one-to-one and small group reading interventions.
• Support reading fluency, comprehension and phonics.
• Contribute to broader literacy programmes and progress tracking.
• Collaborate with staff to accelerate student progress.

Skills

Reading mentor

Literacy support

IT skills

Strong communication

Education

GCSE English

GCSE Maths

Tools

Lexia PowerUp

Educational technology

Job description

Accrington Academy has a strong local reputation and has been oversubscribed for several years. We are a successful school, where our staff and students thrive in a purposeful, ambitious, and supportive environment. We seek to provide outstanding education and bring out ‘The best in everyone’ every single day.We are incredibly proud to deliver a curriculum which combines powerful knowledge and outstanding examination results with Education with Character; an education which challenges, inspires and excites our students and prepares them for the ups and downs of life. With this in mind, we provide a breadth of opportunities and experiences which seek to help our students become confident, well-rounded, and ambitious young adults. Our curriculum and enrichment programme are overflowing with opportunities to try something new and develop new skills.The academy continues to go from strength to strength, with passionate staff who are willing to go the ‘extra mile’ seeing and treating every student as an individual. The environment in which we work is modern and vibrant with first class facilities.As one of the UK’s largest and most respected multi academy trusts, United Learning is committed to helping you thrive. We offer outstanding career development, personalised support, and a culture that truly values your contribution.We are always evolving our benefits to meet the changing needs of our staff and to remain one of the most rewarding places to work in education. Recent additions include a Health Cash Plan, which allows you to claim back the cost of private healthcare, covering everything from dental and optical care to physiotherapy and specialist consultations. We have also introduced a free Will writing service, giving you peace of mind for the future.

As a United Learning colleague, you will benefit from:

• Some of the most competitive salaries in the sector, with average pay around 5% above national scales.
• At least eight INSET days each year, including three dedicated to planning
• Tailored professional development to support your career goals
• Access to Westfield Rewards, offering discounts and cashback at hundreds of major retailers
• Enhanced family leave benefits
• A comprehensive Health Cash Plan to help cover every day healthcare costs, reducing financial pressurewhile supporting your wellbeing
• Discounts on gym memberships
• A convenient car lease scheme
• 24/7 access to a free and confidential employee assistance programme for emotional and practical support

As an Accrington Academy colleague, you will also benefit from:

• A commitment to support you where possible with flexible working options which suit your lifestyle
• At least one guaranteed paid personal day each year, to use as you wish
• Excellent facilities and resources, including onsite gym and pool

We welcome visits to our school so that you can experience the warm and welcoming atmosphere for yourself.Accrington Academy is part of United Learning, a large, and growing, group of schools aiming to offer a life-changing education to children and young people across England. United Learning is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All positions are subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring check from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and shortlisted candidates will be subject to an online check. We always appoint on merit, and we are open to discussing flexible working options.

Salary: £27,115.00 (FTE), £23,397.00 (Actual) - Teaching and Learning. Pay Band: Vocational 2.-inclusive of cost-of-living increase for 2026-2027.

Contract type: Full Time, Term Time only (39 weeks total)

Closing Date: 18th October 2026 (12 noon)

Start Date: ASAP-Following satisfactory completion of all pre-employment checks

We are seeking a passionate, dedicated and enthusiastic Reading Mentor to join our committed Literacy team at Accrington Academy. This is an exciting opportunity for someone who is passionate about improving literacy outcomes and helping students develop the reading skills they need to succeed both academically and personally. The successful candidate will work closely with students through targeted one-to-one and small group interventions, supporting reading fluency, comprehension, phonics and wider literacy development. You will play a key role in removing barriers to learning, developing students' confidence and fostering a lifelong love of reading. You will also support the delivery of literacy programmes such as Lexia PowerUp and work collaboratively with teaching staff to accelerate student progress.

The ideal candidate will be a committed team player with excellent communication and organisational skills. You will be able to build positive relationships with students, parents/carers and colleagues, whilst maintaining high expectations and acting as a positive role model. You will have strong IT skills and be able to use technology effectively to support learning and monitor progress. Applicants must hold GCSE English and Maths at Grade C/Level 4 or above. Accrington Academy is a vibrant and inclusive secondary school with a strong community ethos and an unwavering belief that every student can succeed through high expectations, consistency and care

We can offer you:

• As part of United Learning, we pay an average of 5% above national scales – the best rates of pay in the sector.
• We offer access to a health cash plan which gives you money back on essential healthcare, from opticians to physiotherapy, and guarantees you 24/7 access to an online GP.
• Access to 250 employee benefits through Westfield Rewards, saving you money onsite shopping,gym memberships,holidays,breakdown cover,car leasing,cycle schemesandmore.

More time:

• All our academies start every term with an additional INSET day set aside for your own planning (in addition to the usual fiveINSET days– giving you eight in total);
• At least oneguaranteed paid personal day each year, to use as you want; and we offer opportunities forflexible working.

More support:

• We provide high-qualitytraining and developmentfor every stage in your career;
• Every staff member benefits from a personaldevelopment planto support your progression and aspirations;
• We give you access to ahigh-quality curriculumwith excellent resources and provide support fromexpert subject advisers;
• We offer access to acomprehensive wellbeing programme, providing support from legal and financial to family and housing and access to free counselling and otherwellbeing support.