Learning Mentor & Life Coach

THE HAWKSWOOD GROUP

www.hawkswoodgroup.org.uk

Learning Mentor

1-year fixed Term with a view to be permanent for the right candidate

Scale:  S01 Point 23-25

Salary: £31,106 – £31,937 (Pro-rata)

Pro-rata - Term time only Appointment within these Scales will be dependent on experience.

Closing Date:               7th December 2026    

Interviews:                    15th December 2026

Help young people rebuild their confidence and take positive steps in education

The Hawkswood Group is seeking a committed, compassionate and proactive Learning Mentor to join North Birkbeck PRU, a satellite provision of Burnside Secondary PRU.

North Birkbeck provides a personalised learning environment for secondary-aged pupils who need additional support to engage with education and move forward successfully. Our work centres on building trusting relationships, strengthening attendance and behaviour, addressing gaps in learning and preparing pupils for reintegration into mainstream school or an appropriate next placement.

We are looking for someone who sees potential in every young person and combines high expectations with patience, consistency and care. You will help pupils overcome barriers to learning, develop positive relationships and build the confidence and skills they need to succeed.

The role

Working closely with teaching staff and the leadership team, you will provide individual mentoring, lead small-group interventions and support pupils’ academic, social and emotional development.

You will manage an identified pupil caseload, agree meaningful targets and monitor the impact of support. You will work with families, referring schools and other professionals to ensure a coordinated approach throughout each pupil’s placement and transition.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Building positive professional relationships and modelling respectful behaviour, integrity and high expectations.
• Delivering mentoring and targeted interventions to improve engagement, attendance, emotional regulation and readiness for learning.
• Planning and leading structured small-group sessions, adapting activities to pupils’ strengths and needs.
• Where skills and experience allow, organising and leading inclusive sports and physical activity sessions that promote teamwork, positive behaviour and wellbeing, in line with school risk assessments and safety procedures.
• Supporting pupils in lessons, during transitions and at break and lunchtime, using consistent approaches to prevent and de-escalate difficulties.
• Contributing to admissions, baseline assessments, pupil reviews, Individual Education Plans and individual support and safety plans.
• Maintaining accurate records, sharing progress with relevant colleagues and professionals, and evaluating the impact of interventions.
• Supporting pupils’ reintegration into mainstream school or transition to their next educational placement.
• Recognising, recording and reporting safeguarding concerns promptly, in line with school procedures.

We are looking for someone who

• Has at least three years’ experience of working effectively with children and young people, including at least one year in an educational setting.
• Meets the qualification requirements set out in the person specification.
• Understands the barriers faced by pupils with social, emotional and behavioural needs.
• Combines clear boundaries and high expectations with a trauma-informed and restorative approach.
• Can engage pupils individually and in small groups through purposeful, well-planned activities.
• Builds constructive relationships with parents, carers, colleagues and external professionals.
• Is organised, confident using ICT and able to maintain clear records and written reports.
• Remains calm under pressure, works flexibly as part of a team and is committed to developing their practice.
• Places safeguarding, inclusion and appropriate professional boundaries at the centre of their work.
• Experience or skills in sport, physical activity or another enrichment area would be welcomed.

What we offer

• The opportunity to contribute to the continued development of a recently established provision.
• A supportive staff team and collaboration within the wider Hawkswood Group.
• Small teaching groups and opportunities to build meaningful relationships with pupils.
• A commitment to trauma-informed practice and restorative approaches.
• Professional development opportunities to strengthen your mentoring, safeguarding and intervention skills.
• Leadership that welcomes practical ideas to improve pupils’ experiences and outcomes.
• Access to the cycle-to-work scheme and Employee Assistance Programme.
• Free eye tests and a contribution of £50 towards lenses and frames.

Equality and inclusion

We want our staff to reflect the diverse communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented within our workforce, including people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people and LGBTQI+ people.

We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and will make reasonable adjustments to support applicants.

Safeguarding and safer recruitment

The Hawkswood Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Appointment is subject to satisfactory references, an enhanced DBS check, a children’s barred list check and all other applicable pre-employment checks. In accordance with current Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance, online searches will be undertaken on shortlisted candidates as part of our safer recruitment process.

The successful candidate must demonstrate the ability to establish and maintain appropriate professional relationships and boundaries with children and young people.

How to apply

Please apply either using TES Quick Apply or Visit our website to download an application form: www.hawkswoodgroup.org.uk 

Please send completed application forms to recruitment@hawkswoodgroup.org.uk

Read the job description and person specification and explain in your supporting statement how your experience, skills and approach meet the requirements of the role.

Visits to the school are encouraged and available on request. To arrange a tour, please contact admin.northbirkbeck@hawkswoodgroup.org.uk.