Student Support Mentor (English)

Middlesbrough College Group; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 22,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellbeing: free gym memb.

Flexible hours

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

Professional development and CPD

Volunteering days

Onsite hair/beauty discounts

Cycle to Work

Discounted parking

Job summary

Middlesbrough College is seeking a Student Support Mentor – English to help learners overcome barriers to learning. You will provide one-to-one coaching, targeted interventions and wellbeing guidance to support students with diverse needs, including learning difficulties and disabilities.

The role focuses on supporting maths/English learners, heightening attendance and achievement, and collaborating with teachers to maximise student progress. Training and development are provided.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting students with learning difficulties/disabilities.
• Ability to plan and deliver targeted intervention sessions.
• Strong communication and safeguarding awareness.

Responsibilities

• Provide targeted small-group intervention and in-class support for maths/English learners.
• Support improved attendance, engagement and retention.
• Assist with progression in English and maths and resits where needed.
• Complement teaching by addressing individual barriers to progress.

Skills

Student support experience

Excellent communication

Motivating learners

Team collaboration

Education

Level 2 qualification in supporting students with learning difficulties

Grade 4/C or above in Maths and English

Job description

Job Title: Student Support Mentor – English

Department: Teaching & Learning

Salary: £14.24 per hour (Inclusive of Holiday Pay)

Contract: Hourly Paid, Permanent

Pension: Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

The Role

Make a real difference to students' lives as a Student Support Mentor. In this rewarding role, you will work closely with learners to help them overcome barriers to learning, build confidence and achieve their full potential. Through one-to-one coaching, targeted interventions, study support and wellbeing guidance, you will play a vital role in supporting students with a range of needs, including those with learning difficulties, disabilities, and short-term challenges affecting their studies. We are looking for a compassionate, proactive and highly motivated individual with excellent communication skills, a genuine passion for supporting young people, and the ability to inspire students to become independent, successful learners.

Key Responsibilities

A dedicated Support Practitioner would provide targeted small-group intervention and in class support for learners studying maths/English and increasing capacity beyond what teaching staff can provide.

The role would directly support:

• Improved attendance, engagement and retention
• Higher GCSE/Functional Skills achievement and progress
• Early intervention for learners at risk of non-achievement
• Additional capacity for the growing English and maths resit cohort
• DfE expectations around progression in English and maths

The role would complement rather than duplicate teaching, allowing specialist teachers to focus on high-quality classroom delivery while targeted support addresses individual barriers to progress.

Please see the person specification for full details – Student Support Mentor

Qualifications

• An appropriate Level 2 qualification (or equivalent) in supporting students with learning difficulties/care, or a commitment to achieving this within an agreed timescale.
• Grade 4/C or above in Maths and English or equivalent.
• A willingness to undertake any mandatory training relevant to the role.

Experience

• Knowledge or experience of working with students who have learning difficulties and disabilities.
• Understanding or experience of planning and delivering targeted intervention sessions.
• Experience in supporting young people and adults with additional needs through a variety of mechanisms and strategies.

Knowledge & Skills

• Understanding of health and safety matters.
• Knowledge of risk assessment processes.
• Ability to work both collaboratively as part of a team and independently when required.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively and proactively with staff and students at all levels.

Why Join Us?

• Health & Wellbeing; free gym membership.
• Family-friendly policies: flexible hours and a supportive work environment.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): confidential support including counselling, legal and financial advice.
• Professional development: extensive training, mentoring, and career progression opportunities.
• Funded CPD opportunities, regular staff development training, and paid volunteering days.
• Access to discounted hair and beauty treatments at our onsite salon.
• College benefit scheme – College Extras
• Up to 15% cashback at top retailers & restaurants
• Discounted gift cards for big brands
• Home & tech upgrades via salary sacrifice
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Discounted onsite car parking.

To learn more about working at Middlesbrough College, please visit ourWork For Uspage.

For further details and to discuss the role in more detail, please contact Richard Walsh, English & Maths Innovation Manager on [e-mail]

Are you ready to make your mark?

If you’re looking to join a team that cares about their staff wellbeing, values their personal development and works with them to have a positive impact on student experience, come to Middlesbrough College!

About Middlesbrough College

Middlesbrough College is a leading provider of education and training in the Northeast, offering A-levels, vocational courses, apprenticeships, and degree-level qualifications. With state-of-the-art facilities and a commitment to staff development, we’re proud to create opportunities for learners and colleagues alike, fostering an environment where everyone can grow, thrive, and make a real difference.

Our Vision, Mission and Values

Across our campus and community, Middlesbrough College is driven by a clear vision, mission, and values that not only shape what we do for students—but also make us a great place to work, grow, and thrive.

Safeguarding Our Students

Middlesbrough College is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all students. All staff are expected to share this commitment. If you’re successful, you’ll be required to complete thorough pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references. All roles within the College carry safeguarding responsibilities, including promoting student welfare, reporting any concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), and modelling safe and appropriate conduct in line with College policies.

All posts at Middlesbrough College involve regulated activity and are therefore exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974. The amendments to the ROA 1974 (Exceptions Order 1975, (amended 2013 and 2020)) mean that when applying for certain jobs and activities, certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected’, so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. The MOJ’s guidance on the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Exceptions Order 1975, provides information about which convictions must be declared during job applications, related exceptions and further information.

Please be aware that it is a Criminal offence to apply for this post if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity in connection to children.

As part of our shortlisting process, we will conduct an online search for all shortlisted candidates to identify any safeguarding or reputation‑related concerns (as required by KCSIE).

Right to work

Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK at the time of application. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

Recruitment Process

Applications are shortlisted for interview as they are received, and so early application is encouraged. We reserve the right to commence the interview process and close the vacancy prior to this date.

Equality & Diversity

Middlesbrough College is an equal opportunities employer, committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone is valued. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and make recruitment decisions based on skills and experience. As a Disability Confident employer, we actively support applicants with disabilities.