Key Role Information

Salary
Scale 5 - £24,990 -£27,083 Pro rata – (£28,931 - £ 31,355 FTE)
Job type
Full Time
Contract type
Permanent
Closing
25/01/2026 00:00
Interview
w/c 26th January 2026
Contract term
TTO Plus - Term time only plus weeks
Pay grade
Support Staff | 12 - 17
Department
Learning Support
Key stage
Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4
Hours per week
37.00
Weeks per year
39.000
Visa sponsorship
No

Your Role

Tapestry Learning Partnership are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic Learning Mentor to join our hardworking and high achieving team at City of Derby Academy. 

The role of the Learning Mentor has never been more important as we continue to build our SEND provision to meet the needs of all our learners. The successful applicant will be a kind, resilient, nurturing, well qualified individual who understands the importance of relationships, patience, understanding and respect, whilst managing to respond to the complex needs and requirements of our student.  

City of Derby Academy is a vibrant school with the vision of ‘improving the life chances of all students’. We do this by providing engaging and enjoyable learning experiences over a broad and balanced curriculum. The keys to our success are our passionate staff who work with our students to develop personal and academic success.  

Tapestry’s vision is clear: Every child will succeed and flourish by experiencing an exceptional education. We believe in the power of education to transform lives and are proud of our strong sense of community, commitment to inclusion, and culture of high expectations. 

Who We’re Looking For:

We are seeking a caring, dedicated professional with experience supporting children and young people. You will be:

  • Driven, approachable, and empathetic
  • Calm, confident, and resilient
  • Organised and reliable
  • Culturally sensitive and committed to the highest standards of professionalism

What Makes Us Special

  • A caring, inclusive culture that celebrates diversity
  • Strong relationships and a positive, respectful environment
  • Exceptional pastoral support for students and staff

Your Development Matters

  • Access to high-quality CPD and training
  • Opportunities to grow and fulfil your aspirations 

Why Us?

You’ll be joining us at a very exciting time. In January 2026, two strong Trusts, QEGSMAT and Djanogly Learning Trust, came together to form Tapestry Learning Partnership. This new chapter brings incredible opportunities for collaboration and growth. 

Tapestry’s vision is for every child to succeed and flourish by providing an exceptional educational experience. We believe in the power of education to transform lives and are proud of our strong sense of community, our commitment to inclusion, and our culture of high expectations.

We’re looking for a leader who shares our values and is ready to build on the progress we’ve made. 

As part of Tapestry Learning Partnership, you’ll benefit from:

  • A supportive network of like-minded professionals who share a clear vision and values.
  • High-quality, ongoing professional development for you and your team.
  • A passionate, committed wider team focused on:
  • Achieving the highest academic outcomes for all pupils.
  • Driving social change through education.
  • Providing exceptional pastoral care and enrichment opportunities.
  • Bespoke support from the Trust’s central team, tailored to your school’s needs.
  • Access to a range of employee benefits designed to promote health and wellbeing. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to make a lasting impact in a school that is excited about its future.

PURPOSE OF THE ROLE:

  • Work with students who require additional support to overcome barriers to learning and engagement.
  • Champion and uphold the academy’s vision, values, and ethos.
  • Ensure students are safe, feel supported, and receive high-quality learning support.
  • Build and maintain positive, professional relationships with parents and carers.
  • Identify, assess, and respond to students’ individual needs to promote their well-being and success.
  • Implement safeguarding, attendance, and behaviour procedures effectively and proactively.
  • Build resilience and support students’ social, emotional and academic development so they can achieve their full potential

MAIN DUTIES 

Learning Support, Safeguarding and Well-being

  • Ensure the school is a warm, welcoming, inclusive place that students want to attend.
  • Have high expectations for all students’ attendance, punctuality, behaviour, attitudes and progress.
  • Provide targeted one‑to‑one and small‑group support for identified students. This may include physiotherapy sessions, following appropriate training.
  • Delivering interventions based on students’ needs.
  • Monitoring and reviewing support and interventions and adapting as necessary.
  • Support students with social, emotional, behavioural or academic needs.
  • Help students develop confidence, self‑esteem, motivation and positive learning habits.
  • Act as a trusted adult and role model, offering guidance and encouragement.
  • Implement the school’s safeguarding systems confidently and consistently
  • Maintain accurate records of mentoring sessions and student progress.
  • Report concerns in line with safeguarding and child protection procedures.
  • Work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead as required.
  • Be committed and sensitive in ensuring equality of opportunity for students.

Collaboration & Communication

  • Drive the school’s work relating to inclusion to ensure that students’ needs are being identified, assessed and met by liaising with colleagues and proactively gathering information to better know and understand their students.
  • Communicate effectively with parents/carers and external agencies where appropriate.
  • Attend meetings and training sessions as required.
  • Contribute positively to the wider life and ethos of the school.

METHODS OF WORKING:

The post holder must:

  • Maintain strict confidentiality and adhere to data protection legislation and associated Trust policies at all times.
  • Demonstrate a clear understanding of, and commitment to, safeguarding and child protection, maintaining an awareness of relevant procedures and responsibilities.
  • Comply with the Trust’s Health and Safety Policy and ensure safe working practices in the performance of all duties.
  • Uphold and promote the principles of the Trust’s Equal Opportunities Policy in all aspects of the role.
  • Adhere to all other relevant Trust and school policies and procedures.
  • Undertake any training and professional development necessary to effectively carry out the duties of the post.
  • Perform any other reasonable duties commensurate with the level and responsibilities of the role, as required by the Trust.

Benefits

Benefits with Vivup
Access to 750+ discounts on everyday essentials
Blue Light Card
Access to lots of discounts for just £5 every two years
Discount for Teachers
Exclusive discounts, cashback & vouchers for Teachers & Education Staff. For teaching assistants, headteachers, administrators, and everyone in between.

Qualifications

GCSE English and Math's grade C+ or grade 4+ or equivalentessential
First aid trained (or willing to train)essential
Evidence of ongoing CPDdesirable
A relevant qualification in Childcare and/or Educationdesirable
ELSA Traineddesirable

Skills

Experience

Experience of working with childrenessential
Currently working as a Learning Mentor or Teaching Assistant
Being a paid/unpaid worker in play schemes, creches, midday supervison, after-school clubs or similar

Experience/Knowledge

Equal opportunitiesessential
Behaviour management strategiesessential
The roles played by various adults in young people's educationessential
The needs of young peopleessential

Personal Attributes

Commitment to the highest standards of child protectionessential
Self-motivating with the ability to multi-taskessential
Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiativeessential
Meet deadlines and respond to unplanned situationsessential
Enthusiastic, hardworking and assertive with excellent attendance and time keeping recordessential
Ability to work flexibly to meet the demands of the jobessential
Recognition of the importance of personal responsibility for Health & Safetyessential
Desirable Personal Qualities - desire to enhance and develop skills and knowledge through continuous professional development

Relevant Skills

Display work effectively, and make and maintain basic teaching resourcesessential
Reflect on and develop professional practiceessential
Liaise and communicate effectively with othersessential
Work with guidance, but under limited supervisionessential
Accept and respond to authority and supervisionessential
Supervise children, and adhere to defined behaviour management policiesessential
Explain tasks simply and clearly and foster independenceessential
Assist children on an individual basis, in small group and whole class workessential
Help professional staff to achieve their objectivesessential
Identify gaps in their own experience that they need help in filling
Describe, in simple terms, the process of behaviour management with children
Suggest alternative ways of helping children if they are unable to understand
Monitor, record and make basic assessments about individual progress

About Us

The City of Derby Academy opened on 1st June 2013 replacing the predecessor Sinfin Community School. The academy has capacity for 1050 students aged 11-16. The academy offers easy access to Leicester and Nottingham as well as the Peak District.

City of Derby Academy

Adrian Harding

admin@cityofderbyacademy.org

Farmhouse Road
Sinfin
Derby
DE24 3AR

Safeguarding Information

Tapestry Learning Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. It is a criminal offence to engage or seek to engage in regulated activity or regulated work with children, if you appear on the DBS barred list. 

All appointments are subject to an Enhanced DBS check. The Trust is also a United Kingdom Immigration and Vetting Sponsor therefore, sponsorship for skilled worker visas may be available.

Further information about our commitment to Safeguarding can be found -  https://www.tapestrylearningpartnership.org/

Please be aware, the Trust may also consider performing an online presence check as part of their pre-employment checks. 

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare any cautions, convictions, reprimands and final warnings that are not protected (i.e. that are not filtered out) as defined by the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013 and 2020).