Learning Mentor
The Quay School, Poole, Dorset, BH12 4HU31 days remaining to apply
Start date details
September 2026
Closing date
14 June 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
14 May 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teaching assistant
- HLTA (higher level teaching assistant)
- Learning support or cover supervisor
- Pastoral, health and welfare
- Other support roles
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Key stage
- Key stage 3, Key stage 4
Working pattern
- Full time: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- £27,274 – £29,071 per annum (actual salary for Term Time only £23,340 – £24,878)
What skills and experience we're looking for
Who are we looking for? What does the job involve?
We require someone to work with students on our Harbourside base, these students struggle with their social, emotional and mental health which has resulted in them being excluded from mainstream school. This role needs someone who can form positive relationships with these young people to do this you will need to show patience, care and understanding. You will receive training to support you in this role. You will be part of an inclusive and collaborative team that, no matter what the challenge may be, are ready to
face it head on and are committed to seeing it through. You will need to be flexible, resilient and positive. It will involve both supporting students in class as well as some one to one work with them; this will be both reactive and pro-active. You may also need to go off-site to meet with students and so your own transport with the correct insurance will be needed at times (mileage is fully reimbursed). Previous experience of working with young people with additional needs is desired but not essential, although a reasonable grasp of basic IT programmes is a must.
What the school offers its staff
The Quay School is OFSTED rated Outstanding, a National Teaching School Hub and a progressive educational establishment that supports young people through difficult times in their lives. Our tagline is ‘A Place to Belong and Flourish’ because we believe every child deserves that.
Are you looking for a fresh challenge?
We are an Alternative Provision school spread across 4 campuses; each catering to students with specific Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs. This means we think of our students as individuals and respond to their needs as such. Our aim for our students is for them to become knowledgeable, self-aware, independent and happy people who make a positive difference, wherever life takes them. The PACE approach is integral to the work we do. We also draw on Solution-focussed brief therapy, Growth Mindset, Unconditional Positive Regard, Restorative Justice, Pro-social modelling and the key principles of trauma-informed practice. Some knowledge of these approaches is desirable but not essential, however an eagerness to embrace them is essential!
Are you looking to improve your work/life balance?
We know working in schools can be stressful and it is easy to give over a lot of your personal time to work. We strongly believe that work should not take over every aspect of your life in order to support both your physical and mental health. And so;
– We limit paperwork and meetings to the necessary,
-Finish at 1pm on a Friday,
– Have a robust staff wellbeing programme in place that is constantly evolving.
The Quay School is part of Southern Education Trust. The Trust’s ethos is encompassed in our vision “Making Lives Better” and our values of kindness, collaboration and creativity.
We put this into practice by ensuring:
- All decisions are made in the best interests of staff, students and families.
- High support, high challenge and evidence informed in everything we do.
- We work collaboratively and make team, not individual, decisions.
- We acknowledge our mistakes and use them to learn and improve.
- We are always open to learning and seeking new ideas.
Further information about the job
Please note: A clean driving licence and access to your own vehicle with business insurance is essential.
This role is based on our Harbourside Campus, Turlin Road, BH16 5AH. Visits are welcome, please contact Dan Beck –d.beck@thequayschool.com
Closing date: 14th June 2026
Interview date: 23rdJune 2026
Become part of our journey by completing our Support Staff Application Form and returning it to recruitment@southern.education if you would like to apply please see our Learning Mentor Job Description and TQS – Child Protection-and-Safeguarding-Policy-2025-2026 for further information.
If you have any questions, please contact Kate at the recruitment address, who will be happy to assist you.
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, this role involves directly working with children and significant contact with children, and therefore we expect all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Please ensure a full work history is completed in your application form including any gaps of employment. Applicants will berequired to complete satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for this post prior to commencement.This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974.The Trust is an equal opportunities employer.
If successfully shortlistedthe HR Department will also be conducting an individual online search including social media platforms of your ‘name, education and employment’, to demonstrate due diligence following ‘Keeping Children Safe in Education’ guidance. The search will not form part of the actual shortlisting process and any concerns arising from the search will be discussed directly with you.
Commitment to safeguarding
The Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, this role involves directly working with children and significant contact with children, and therefore we expect all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Please ensure a full work history is completed in your application form including any gaps of employment. Applicants will be required to complete a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check for this post prior to commencement. The Trust is an equal opportunities employer.
Applying for the job
Apply for the job by following the link below.
CVs will not be accepted for this application.
View advert on school website (opens in new tab)Additional documents
If you need these documents in an accessible format, please contact the school.
About The Quay School
- School type
- Academies, ages 5 to 18
- School size
- 64 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 5 to 18
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- The Quay School website
- Email address
- recruitment@southern.education
The Quay School provides full time education for young people who are not accessing mainstream schools. We aim to provide personalised learning opportunities in a creative and supportive environment where young people are encouraged to take responsibility for their learning and aim for success. We value our students and believe that they should have every chance to learn and develop their potential.
The Quay School works in partnership with parents and carers, schools and others towards enabling our students to overcome barriers to success and lead a purposeful life.
Arranging a visit to The Quay School
To arrange a visit and increase the chance of a successful application email recruitment@southern.education.
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