Reading Mentor
East Point Academy, Lowestoft, Suffolk, NR33 0UQ24 days remaining to apply
Start date details
September 2026
Closing date
15 June 2026 at 1am
Date listed
22 May 2026
Job details
Job role
- Other support roles
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Part time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full-time equivalent salary
- Salary: Support Staff Pay Scale E: £19,133 to £20,393 pro-rata per annum (Actual) (£26,403 - £28,142 full time/full year equivalent)
Reading Mentor job summary
Salary: Support Staff Pay Scale E: £19,133 to £20,393 pro-rata per annum (Actual) (£26,403 - £28,142 full time/full year equivalent)
Part Time: 30 hours per week over 4 days (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday)
Working Weeks: 40 weeks
Start Date: September 2026
East Point Academy has a big mission - that every student leaves us being able to read confidently and fluently! Can you help us make this a reality?
At Inspiration Trust our mantra is that all children can achieve and succeed, no matter what their background. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds have been more adversely impacted by the pandemic and we are therefore seeking reliable, proactive and efficient Reading Mentors to join the East Point Academy in order to help our most vulnerable students close the gap between their reading age and their chronological age. Full training will be provided to deliver Thinking Reading, a 1:1 intensive reading intervention within the context of a high-performing academy chain with a vision for truly inclusive schools.
The role will require you to help to develop and maintain effective and supportive relationships with the students you work with, and have a calm, clear and consistent approach to working with young people. You will need to deliver the Thinking Reading programme with a high degree of fidelity and engage in the required training in order to be able to do this successfully.
What You’ll Be Doing
- To provide 1:1 or small group reading intervention delivery to ensure all have the ability to fulfil their potential.
- Monitor pupils’ responses to learning activities and accurately record achievement/progress as directed and provide detailed and regular feedback to teachers on pupils’ achievement, progress, problems, etc.
- Undertake structured and agreed learning activities/teaching programmes, adjusting activities according to pupil responses, including undertaking literacy and numeracy programmes.
- Promote good pupil behaviour, dealing promptly with conflict and incidents in line with established policy and encourage pupils to take responsibility for their behaviour.
- Assist with the supervision of pupils out of lesson times, including before and after school and accompanying teaching staff and pupils on visits, trips and out of school activities as required and take responsibility for a group under the supervision of the teacher.
About You:
The successful candidate will be patient, empathetic, and passionate about fostering a love for reading. You will possess strong communication skills, offer encouragement and constructive feedback to build student confidence. You will have active listening, adaptability, reliability, and the ability to connect with readers to unlock their potential.
Essential:
- Good literacy, numeracy, and ICT skills
- Experience of working with or caring for children of relevant age
- Ability to evaluate learning needs and actively seek learning opportunities
- Ability to relate well to children and adults
- Basic understanding of child development and learning
- General understanding of National Curriculum and other basic learning programmes
Desirable:
- NVQ 2 or equivalent in teaching assistance or equivalent experience
- First Aid training in specific medical procedures
Why Join Inspiration Trust
At Inspiration Trust, we believe in the power of education to transform lives. You’ll be joining a supportive, forward-thinking organisation that values professional development, collaboration, and innovation. We provide opportunities for growth and empower you to make a real impact in schools across Norfolk and north Suffolk. As part of our thriving network of talented teachers, leaders, and support staff, you’ll receive a varied professional development programme designed to help you be the best you can be.
We offer:
- Generous annual leave, and access to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with excellent employer contributions
- Health Plan and Employee Assistance Programme, including 24/7 virtual GP access, mental health support and claim-back options for healthcare costs *
- Cycle-to-work scheme, retail and theatre discounts (including discounted shopping vouchers, dentist and gym memberships), and salary sacrifice options (including home technology). *
- Free parking at most sites
- Personalised CPD and development programmes
- A structured and specific induction programme.
*Terms and conditions apply. Some benefits are only available following successfully passing probation.
About Us
East Point Academy in Lowestoft is the first secondary school to see the sunrise every day, and it is a fantastic place to work. The academy’s values underpin everything it does, preparing pupils to be successful both within the school and in the wider community throughout their lives. Students and staff embody these core values, creating a positive and supportive culture. Pupils are encouraged to be independent thinkers, gaining the knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact on the world around them.
We are part of the Inspiration Trust; a thriving family of schools across Norfolk and North Suffolk, recognised nationally for pupil progress and excellence in teaching and leadership. We believe every young person deserves the best education, regardless of background. Inspiration Trust specialises in transforming schools in disadvantaged areas and taking academies from failing to outstanding.
The Trust offers extensive networks and opportunities to collaborate with a diverse range of schools and partners. We are committed to delivering outstanding professional and learning opportunities for all staff, supported by a rich programme of continuing professional development led by some of the country’s leading educational thinkers and practitioners.
For information on what it is like to live and work in Lowestoft, click here. East Point Academy was inspected by Ofsted in February 2022, achieving another Good rating. “Pupils feel safe at the school. There are clear routines for behaviour which help pupils meet teachers’ high expectations. In lessons, behaviour is calm, with pupils’ attention focused on learning.”
Next Steps
Before applying, please read the attached Recruitment Pack and Job Description, for more details about the role. We ask that you read this pack carefully, especially the “Planning your application” section from page 11. This will support your application ensuring you have the opportunity to tell us about your relevant skills, experience and qualifications that relate to the job description and person specification in addition to details of your references covering the last 5 years.
If you would like to know more about this exciting opportunity, then please contact Julie Collins, PA to Principal (juliecollins@inspirationtrust.org).
To apply for this role please click the Apply button to complete the online application form.
When you start your application, you will receive several emails from our application provider, Vacancy Filler. Please be aware that some email providers may mistakenly mark these messages as spam. To avoid missing important updates, we recommend checking your spam or junk folders regularly throughout the application process and marking these emails as safe.
Closing date for applications: 12pm on Monday 15th June 2026
Interview date: Thursday 25th June 2026
Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities
Inspiration Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
All staff appointments are subject to satisfactory references and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. We are an equal opportunities employer.
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Inspiration Trust is committed to safeguarding and all staff appointments are subject to satisfactory references and enhanced DBS checks. You will be required to provide references and undertake an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check.
This school is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We are an equal opportunities employer.
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 East Point Academy
- School type
- Academies, None, ages 11 to 16
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- School size
- 826 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- School website
- East Point Academy website
East Point Academy is Lowestoft's top performing high school, helping to unlock the potential of this great coastal community. Students make more progress with us than at any other local school, and go on to achieve the best results. In autumn 2016 Ofsted rated us as good with outstanding leadership and management, making us the highest rated school in Lowestoft.
We are part of the Inspiration Trust family of schools, and work together with colleagues across East Anglia to bring the best educational opportunities to our young people.
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