Reading Mentor
Cottenham Village College, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB24 8UA13 days remaining to apply
Closing date
27 September 2026 at 11:59pm
Date listed
10 September 2026
Job details
Job role
- Teaching assistant
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full time equivalent salary
- £26,847.00 - £27,710.00 Annually (FTE) Pro rata £23,026 - £23,767
Reading Mentor job summary
Reading Mentor
Cottenham Village College
Salary: £23,026 - £23,767 actual pro rata salary
Contract: Full Time, Permanent
Cottenham Village College is seeking an enthusiastic and dedicated Reading Mentor to join our team. This is a rewarding opportunity to play a vital role in supporting scholars to develop their reading skills, confidence and enjoyment of reading, helping them to access the curriculum and achieve their full potential.
At Cottenham Village College, we are committed to providing a knowledge-rich education underpinned by a traditional approach to teaching, behaviour and culture. We believe that every child deserves access to powerful knowledge and an ambitious curriculum that opens doors to future success.
We are proud of our scholarly culture, which is both warm and disciplined, joyful and purposeful. We believe that excellent behaviour and clear routines create the conditions in which teachers can focus on teaching and students can focus on learning. As a values-driven school, we are unapologetically ambitious for every child, regardless of background, prior attainment or additional need. Our mission is to provide an inclusive, aspirational and academic education that empowers all students to learn, thrive and lead successful lives.
As a Reading Mentor, you will work closely with scholars and staff to promote literacy and support reading development, making a meaningful impact on students' educational journeys every day.
Key Responsibilities- Deliver one-to-one and small-group reading interventions to support students in improving their reading fluency, comprehension and confidence.
- Encourage a love of reading and help develop positive reading habits across the school.
- Monitor, track and record student progress, providing feedback to relevant staff.
- Support the implementation of the school's literacy and reading strategies.
- Work with identified students who require additional support to improve reading age and literacy outcomes.
- Assist in assessing students' reading abilities and identifying appropriate interventions.
- Build positive, supportive relationships with students that encourage engagement and progress.
- Work collaboratively with teachers, pastoral teams and families to support student success.
- Support the organisation and promotion of reading initiatives, events and enrichment opportunities.
- Uphold the academy's high expectations for behaviour, attendance and conduct.
- A passion for literacy, reading and supporting young people to succeed.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- The ability to motivate, engage and build rapport with students from a range of backgrounds.
- Strong organisational skills and attention to detail.
- A patient, encouraging and positive approach to supporting learning.
- The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team.
- Confidence in monitoring progress and maintaining accurate records.
- A commitment to high standards and helping every student achieve their potential.
- Experience of working with children or young people in an educational, mentoring or support capacity would be advantageous.
- GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent) at Grade C/4 or above.
At Cottenham Village College, you'll be part of a supportive and ambitious team dedicated to transforming life chances through education. You'll have the opportunity to make a genuine difference to young people's lives while developing your own skills and experience within a successful and growing academy community.
Commitment to Safeguarding and EDI:
Astrea Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. All appointments are subject to satisfactory background checks, including references and an enhanced DBS check. We value diversity and welcome applications from underrepresented groups. As a Disability Confident employer, we provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process to ensure all candidates can fully demonstrate their abilities.
In line with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 and the statutory Code of Practice, the Trust requires all public-facing post holders to demonstrate fluent English. Within a school setting, this applies to all roles that involve direct or indirect interaction with pupils, parents, or members of the public.
Flexible Interview Dates:
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early, so don't miss out on this exciting opportunity. Please note that interview dates are flexible, and the academy reserves the right to interview shortlisted candidates during the application window.
Ready to Make a Difference?
If you're ready to take the next step in your career and contribute to our dynamic and forward-thinking team, apply today and be a part of our mission to create a positive impact!
Further information about the job
Commitment to safeguarding
Astrea Academy Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and staff. Every child should feel safe and should be protected from any form of child abuse. We have robust policies and procedures that support our commitment to Safeguarding, this includes our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. The in-house Safeguarding teams at each Academy work in partnership with families and safeguarding partners to ensure the safety of children is paramount. We are committed to ensuring that all staff access regular, contextual safeguarding training to meet the needs of the local community.
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 Cottenham Village College
- Organisation type
- Academy, ages 11 to 16
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- Size
- 860 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
Welcome to Cottenham Village College, part of the Astrea Academy Trust, a highly-successful 11-16 mixed academy situated close to the beautiful city of Cambridge; here you will find hard-working, well-behaved students and friendly, dedicated staff who are committed to a fully inclusive, comprehensive education.
The college was established in 1963, one of several village colleges in the region that were the inspiration of educational pioneer Henry Morris, who believed that the school should be at the heart of its community and that education should be a lifelong process. This vision of a school that serves and involves its whole community, that fosters high aspirations and inspires a love of learning is as central to our ethos today as it was when it opened.
Through a highly-ambitious curriculum at CVC, we aim to foster students’ curiosity, unlock their potential and raise their aspirations, as well as ensure that students achieve high levels of attainment that will open doors for their future. A stimulating and broad curriculum also places students in a strong position to question and debate the world around them, making them intellectually resilient and prepares them for citizenship in a democratic society. We believe this is a right of all students and one which is liberating and empowering.
We are equally proud of the wider curricular provision at CVC, both in formal lessons and outside the classroom. Our extensive range of extra-curricular activities, including sports, music, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme and residential trips, help to give all students a fully-rounded education and creates opportunity for their personal, as well as their academic, growth.
Cottenham Village College is a friendly, positive and exciting place to work and to learn and we take great pride in the high standards our students consistently achieve. We have very high expectations of all members of the College community and provide an inclusive, friendly and supportive environment in which everyone can thrive and achieve. Students leave as happy, well-qualified and well-motivated individuals who go on to excel in local sixth forms, colleges, universities and the wider world.
I hope you find the information on the school’s website useful. If there is anything you cannot find, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you wish to visit the school to see it for yourself, please contact the school and we would be delighted to show you around.
Zoe Andrews, Principal
School location
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