Learning Mentor - Fixed term for 1 Academic Year in Post 16
Purple Oaks Academy, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN2 7RR13 days remaining to apply
Start date details
1st September 2026
Closing date
17 June 2026 at 9am
Date listed
3 June 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teaching assistant
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Fixed term
Full-time equivalent salary
- £26,403.00 - £28,142.00 Annually (FTE) GAT-5 Fixed Term for 1 Year - Based in Post 16
Learning Mentor - Fixed term for 1 Academic Year in Post 16 job summary
We are looking for a Learning Mentor to join our Post 16 team here at Purple Oaks Academy!
About the role:
We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic educator to take an active lead in the delivery of our Post 16 curriculum. We'd be really keen to hear from someone experienced in working with young people who may be autistic and have complex communication and interaction needs.
This is an exciting opportunity to inspire and support students through engaging, active learning experiences which include opportunities to learn in the community and work towards recognised qualifications. The successful candidate will work closely with the Post 16 teacher sharing in the planning of lessons and delivering high-quality sessions that promote communication, independence and regulation as we support our Post 16 students on their journey into adulthood. This role requires someone who can work independently and as part of a team.
About us:
Purple Oaks Academy is a thriving special academy in the heart of Northampton. Our purpose-built building opened in January 2018 and currently provides 126 places for students (3-18) with a diagnosis of autism and/or Severe Learning Difficulties. Specialising in education for young people who may be autistic and have cognitive and sensory differences, we offer a carefully tailored curriculum and unconditional support that replaces trepidation with confidence and challenges with opportunities.
What really sets us apart though is the incredible diversity of our students - the only thing they have in common is their autism. Join us and you’ll get to know everyone as an individual, due to our small classes of between six and ten students. This enables us to build amazing relationships with each student, taking the time to understand their passions and priorities, while helping them to get wherever they want to be in ten years’ time.
Our outstanding facilities - including a bespoke Post 16 satellite provision and a newly refurbished sensory room, a large PE hall and dining room, food tech room, library and extensive outdoor space - provide an incredible environment in which to grow and learn.
Tours of the academy are welcomed. Please contact Sarah Martin via email: sarah.martin@greenwoodacademies.org to arrange a preferred date. Opportunities to have a discussion about the role with a member of the leadership team are also available, this can also be arranged by emailing Sarah Martin.
In return:
You can be assured that you will be joining a successful Multi Academy Trust that has a great track record in helping children to succeed no matter what their background. The Trust is dedicated to valuing and developing the workforce whether that be through ensuring a fair workload or offering access to bespoke CPD from the Learning Alliance to enhance professional growth.
We believe in looking after the people who make a huge difference to our children, their families and the communities we serve. Thats why we give everyone that joins 24/7 access to perks and discounts, plus curated wellbeing tools to look after your physical and mental health. It’s part of our commitment to look after you.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Hundreds of global and local perks, available online 24/7
- Shopping discounts from the biggest brands, all year round
- Save money on everything from the supermarket shop to summer holidays
- A free Employee Assistance Programme from Vivup
If this post attracts sufficient interest before the closing date, we may decide to close and interview this vacancy at an earlier date, so an early application is advised.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff to share this commitment. All posts will be subject to receipt of satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure, medical and reference checks. All pre-employment checks are in line with "Keeping Children Safe in Education”.
The Trust welcomes applications from all, irrespective of gender, marital status, disability, race, age or sexual orientation.
All applicants must be able to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK prior to commencement of employment. As part of our need to comply with UK immigration rules, you will be required to provide Home Office stipulated documentation prior to interview.
Further information about the job
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.
View advert on external website (opens in new tab)About Purple Oaks Academy
- School type
- Free Schools, None, ages 3 to 18
- School size
- 121 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 3 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- Purple Oaks Academy website
About us:
Our purpose-built building opened in January 2018 and will provide 100 places for students (3-18) with a diagnosis of autism and/or Severe Learning Difficulties. The Academy currently has 94 students on roll from Reception to Year 10 and will grow to 100 in September 2021 with Reception to Year 11.
Unfortunately, we are not able to offer tours of the academy at the moment but we do have a virtual tour on our website https://www.purpleoaksacademy.org/ . Opportunities to have a discussion about the role with a member of the leadership team are also available and you can contact Tina Matty, tmatty@purpleoaksacademy.org to arrange this.
We can offer you:
An exciting opportunity to work in a unique and growing academy with students with a range of complex needs,
A supportive and welcoming team with a wide range of experience,
A new building designed to meet the needs of our students with large outdoor spaces,
Career development opportunities as the Academy continues to grow and develop, an ongoing programme of continuous professional development activities through the local Teaching School Alliance and Greenwood Academies Trust Learning Alliance, including a Trust NQT programme,
Dedicated planning, preparation and assessment time.
In Return:
You can be assured that you will be joining a successful Multi Academy Trust that has a great track record in helping children to succeed no matter what their background. The Trust is dedicated to valuing and developing the workforce whether that be through ensuring a fair workload or offering access to bespoke CPD from the Learning Alliance to enhance professional growth.
We believe in looking after the people who make a huge difference to our children, their families and the communities we serve. That’s why we give everyone who joins a Perkbox account – with 24/7 access to perks and discounts, plus curated wellbeing tools to look after your physical and mental health. It’s part of our commitment to look after you.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
Hundreds of global and local perks, available online 24/7
Shopping discounts from the biggest brands, all year round
Save money on everything from the supermarket shop to summer holidays
A free Employee Assistance Programme from Health Assured
If this post attracts sufficient interest before the closing date, we may decide to close and interview this vacancy at an earlier date, so an early application is advised.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and we expect all staff to share this commitment and undergo appropriate checks, therefore, all posts within the Trust are subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check. It is an offence to apply for a role if the applicant is barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children.
All adults employed by the Trust have a responsibility for data protection and have a duty to observe and follow the principles of the GDPR Regulations.
The Trust welcomes applications from all, irrespective of gender, marital status, disability, race, age or sexual orientation.
All applicants must be able to provide evidence of their Right to Work in the UK prior to commencement of employment. As part of our need to comply with UK immigration rules, you will be required to provide Home Office stipulated documentation prior to interview.
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