Lower School Student Support Mentor

Full Job Description

At OFG, we work smarter so you can spend more time doing what makes you happy!

How would you like to be paid for five days but only work four*?

Our colleagues’ wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do at OFG, so we’re always looking for new ways to improve everyone’s work/life balance. We’re taking part in a trial of the 4-Day Working Week, meaning that you could be working one day less a week (or equivalent).

4DWW will be rolled out within our school, when we have a full complement of staff, and within the next year – so there’s never been a more exciting time to join us #teamOFG!

Job Title:      Lower School Student Support Mentor

Location:      The Grange Therapeutic School, Knossington, Oakham

Hours:          37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Salary:          £20,906.25 per annum

Contract:      Permanent: Term Time only

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

As part of our continued growth, we now have a fantastic opportunity for a Lower School Student Support Mentor to join our close-knit team at The Grange Therapeutic School, part of Acorn Education.

Job Summary

To support the pupils in and out of classes and at a co-educational SEMH special school. Every day is different, and you will be supporting pupils in classrooms, around our school site and also on activities and trips as well as with vocational learning. It is the aim that every member of staff should have a positive impact on the lives of the pupils in our care.

Duties and Responsibilities

• To support pupils in lessons and around our school grounds
• To support pupils with activities on and offsite
• To support teachers and instructors in the delivery of lessons and activities.
• To be a part of promoting safeguarding and pupil welfare which is incumbent on all staff.
• Managing and recording behaviour where appropriate.
• Upkeep of the classroom environment including displays.
• Liaising with tutors and family support.
• Supporting behaviour management and student welfare – working 1:1 or in small groups when required.

Essential

• Educated to GCSE C/4 or above in English and Maths or equivalent.
• Experience with pupils.
• Skills using computer databases and common programmes.
• High standard of report writing. 
• An ability to interact effectively with staff from all disciplines and work hard as part of a team. 
• Full UK Driving licence

About the School

The Grange Therapeutic School is an independent special school for young people aged 8 -18 years with social, emotional and mental health difficulties. Our school is based in a Victorian country house near Oakham with stunning views and fantastic facilities to develop not only the educational, but also the social and emotional needs of our pupils. With access to woods and lakes on site, the school has an ethos about delivering a personalised curriculum tailored to, and driven by, the individuals. Behaviour is currently rated as “Outstanding” by Ofsted.

We need hardworking, pupil centred staff who are resilient and willing to go the extra mile. In return we offer significant investment in your professional development, a supportive staff group and opportunities for progression.

We are part of Acorn Education and can promise you plenty of challenges, and a rich variety of opportunities to develop your career. Acorn Education is the UK’s leading independent provider of specialist education for vulnerable pupils and young people. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.

Why join Acorn Education? 

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support. 

And that’s not all, we place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’ll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

#1

*You’ll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy.