Learning Mentor

Alton Park Junior School, Clacton-on-Sea, CO15 1DL

20 days remaining to apply

• Start date details

  23/11/2026 or ASAP thereafter

• Closing date

  2 November 2026 at 9am

• Date listed

  13 October 2026

Job details

• Job role:
  • Pastoral, health and welfare
• Visa sponsorship: Visas cannot be sponsored
• Working pattern: Part time
• Contract type: Permanent
• Full time equivalent salary: £16,115.00 - £17,799.00 Annually (Actual) Local Government Pay Scale 7, Point 19-24

Learning Mentor job summary

Join a Community Where Everyone Matters at Alton Park Junior School

Are you a caring individual who believes in the importance of safety and responsibility? Do you want to be part of a team dedicated to helping children feel safe, happy, and valued?

At Alton Park Junior School, we believe that every child deserves a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where they are empowered to thrive - academically, socially, and emotionally.

We are seeking a dedicated, empathetic, and proactive Learning Mentor to join our compassionate team. In this pivotal role, you will act as a champion for our pupils, helping to break down non-academic barriers to learning, foster resilience, and ensure every child feels valued, safe, and capable of achieving their full potential.

• Start date: 23rd November 2026 or ASAP thereafter (following completion of pre-employment checks)
• Contract type: Permanent
• Working hours: Part time - 21 hours per week, 39 weeks per year (term time plus INSET/non-pupil days). Exact working pattern to be confirmed.

About the Role

As a Learning Mentor, no two days are the same. You will work directly with pupils, families, and staff to support emotional well-being, promote attendance, and embed robust safeguarding practices.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Acting as a Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), working alongside the DSL to ensure robust child protection procedures, managing concerns, and contributing to multi-agency meetings (CP, CIN, and Early Help).
• Delivering structured 1:1 and small-group mentoring sessions focused on emotional literacy, resilience, self-esteem, anger management, and social skills.
• Building trusting, non-judgemental relationships with parents/carers, guiding families through Early Help Assessments, conducting home visits when necessary, and connecting them with community resources.
• Monitoring daily attendance and punctuality data, running targeted interventions and reward schemes, and addressing underlying causes of absence.
• Supporting teaching and support staff in recognising early indicators of vulnerability, abuse, or neglect.

About You

We are looking for an approachable, self-motivated, and resilient individual to join our team.

You will have:

• GCSE Maths and English at Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent); an NVQ Level 2 (or equivalent) in Learning Support or Early Years is an advantage, but not essential.
• A strong background working directly with children, parents, and external agencies (experience with ASC or EAL is desirable).
• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build trusting relationships with pupils, families, and colleagues.
• The ability to plan, deliver, and adapt tailored support programs (such as social skills or emotional literacy) independently or collaboratively.
• Good IT skills and the organisational capacity to manage tight deadlines and record-keeping under pressure.
• A deep commitment to equality, inclusion, and the highest standards of integrity and safeguarding.

Please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for further details.

Why Choose The Sigma Trust?
We believe in investing in our staff and fostering a culture of collaboration. We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive package designed to support your professional and personal life.

Professional Development:

• A robust CPD training program that empowers you to flourish.
• Unrivalled opportunities to collaborate with colleagues across the Trust, sharing ideas and building strong professional relationships.

Employee Benefits:

• A competitive salary and excellent pension scheme.
• A Health Cash Plan and Employee Assistance Programme for your well-being.
• Exclusive perks like the Cycle to Work scheme, discounted gym memberships, cinema tickets, and eligibility for a Blue Light Card.

Commitment to Safeguarding & Diversity

The Sigma Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to safer recruitment processes, including the disclosure of criminal records, online checks and other vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practice across our schools.

The Sigma Trust is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of any protected characteristics. This is embedded in our vision ‘To Be Greater Than The Sum Of Its Parts’, where we believe we are strong and more successful working together, creating a workplace which celebrates diversity.

To Apply:

Ready to take the next step? Submit an application on My New Term by 9am on Monday 2nd November 2026.

Interviews are expected to take place on Wednesday 11th November 2026.

Please note that we reserve the right to close this advert early should we receive an overwhelming response. Candidates may be invited to interview prior to the closing date, so an early application is advised.

Further information about the job

The candidate will be required to undergo a full enhanced DBS check and must be eligible to work in the UK.

Visas cannot be sponsored.

If you're interested in teaching or training to teach in England as an international citizen, we can help you understand your next steps.

Commitment to safeguarding

Our organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all staff, volunteers and trustees to share this commitment.

Our recruitment process follows the keeping children safe in education guidance.

Offers of employment may be subject to the following checks (where relevant):
childcare disqualification
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
medical
online and social media
prohibition from teaching
right to work
satisfactory references
suitability to work with children

You must tell us about any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975.

Applying for the job

This school accepts applications through their own website, where you may also find more information about this job.

CVs will not be accepted for this application.

About Alton Park Junior School

• Organisation type: Academy, ages 7 to 11
• Education phase: Primary school
• Size: 394 pupils enrolled
• Age range: 7 to 11
• Ofsted report: View Ofsted report
• Website: Alton Park Junior School website
• See more jobs: teaching-vacancies.service.gov.uk/organisations/alton-park-junior-school-co15-1dl

School location

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