Reading Mentor
Wayland Academy, Thetford, Norfolk, IP25 6BA13 days remaining to apply
Start date details
November 2026
Closing date
6 October 2026 at 1am
Date listed
23 September 2026
Job details
Job role
- Other support role
Visa sponsorship
- Visas cannot be sponsored
Working pattern
- Full time
Contract type
- Permanent
Full time equivalent salary
- Salary: Support Staff Pay Scale E: £24,899 to £26,539 pro-rata per annum (Actual) (£27,274 - £29,071 full time/full year equivalent)
Reading Mentor job summary
Salary: Support Staff Pay Scale E: £24,899 to £26,539 pro-rata per annum (Actual) (£27,274 - £29,071 full time/full year equivalent)
Permanent
Full Time - 37 hours per week over 5 days from Monday to Friday (Between 8:30am and 4:30pm)
Working Weeks: 41 weeks
Start Date: November 2026
This role will be based at Wayland Academy, Merton Rd, Watton, Thetford, IP25 6BA.
Wayland Academy has a big mission - that every pupil 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 a reliable, proactive and efficient Reading Mentor to join Wayland 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 will 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.
- Training in the literacy/numeracy strategy.
- 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
Wayland Academy is an oversubscribed, high-performing secondary school at the heart of Norfolk, known for its positive atmosphere and low staff turnover. In 2025, 64% of students achieved grades 9-5 in English and Mathematics, and the school achieved a Progress 8 score of +0.61 in 2024, positioning it among the highest-performing secondary schools in Norfolk and Suffolk.
At Wayland Academy, staff believe that every student is entitled to the highest-quality education, unlocking their potential for excellent grades and a future of their choice. Our curriculum vision reflects the Academy’s role in the community, promotes understanding and enrichment, and prioritises students’ reading, vocabulary, and fluency in both spoken and written language. We take both learning and pastoral care seriously, ensuring that our students leave confident, capable, and ready to thrive in the wider world.
We are part of the Inspiration Trust, twice ranked as the country’s top family of comprehensive schools for pupil progress, and strongly believe in the importance of giving the widest educational opportunities to all young people, regardless of their background. We have strong networks across the Trust, with opportunities to work with a diverse range of schools and partners. We are committed to offering excellent professional and learning opportunities for our staff, with a busy programme of continuing professional development courses delivered by some of the country’s best educational thinkers and practitioners.
The Inspiration Trust is a Multi Academy Trust, committed to delivering the very best educational experience for the young people of Norfolk and Suffolk, across 17 schools. We are ambitious for our schools and communities and want to create Britain’s highest performing federation of 3-19 schools and transform education in the East. Inspiration Trust specialises in transforming schools in disadvantaged areas and taking academies from failing to outstanding.
For information on what it is like to live and work in Watton, click here. The most recent Ofsted inspection in July 2023 gave Wayland Academy an overall grade of ‘Good'. “School and Trust leaders form a strong and cohesive team which has driven, and continues to secure, school improvement.”
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 Amys, PA to Principal (JulieAmys@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: 12noon on Tuesday 6th October 2026
Interview date: Wednesday 14th October 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
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 Wayland Academy
- Organisation type
- Academy, ages 11 to 16
- Education phase
- Secondary school
- Size
- 564 pupils enrolled
- Age range
- 11 to 16
- Ofsted report
- View Ofsted report
- Website
- Wayland Academy website
School location
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