Learning Mentor (SEND)

During this exciting period of rapid growth, we now require additional staff to join our team! We encourage suitably qualified individuals with a passion for SEND who align with our values and vision to contact us.

We believe that education is the key to a better life, and that all children and young people are entitled to an effective education that enables them to achieve their full potential, regardless of the degree of special educational need or disability. Together, we are unlocking potential and enhancing the lives of children and young people with special educational needs. 

About the School

Based in the heart of Chester City Centre, Abbey School is an Independent Day and Residential Special School for young people with autism aged 4-19 years whom may have additional learning difficulties and behaviours that challenge.

Our school is expanding- our pupil cohort is increasing, and our staff teams are growing to support our new pupils who are due to start with us. We are currently seeking to appoint enthusiastic, proactive, and hard-working Learning Mentors who are committed to improving outcomes for children and young people with SEN and/or disability and their families.

We have high staffing ratios at Abbey School - every pupil has at least 1:1 support, and so you will be part of a large team. Our class sizes are small, and we design a highly personalised curriculum which aims to help pupils to become successful lifelong learners, effective communicators, and confident and responsible individuals who play an active part in society.

Our Learning Mentors support our pupils throughout the school day, working with the class teacher, behaviour analysts, speech and language therapist, and occupational therapist to provide the best level of support for our pupils. 

Our staff are our most valuable resource in ensuring that pupils reach their best possible outcomes and as such we prioritise investment in professional development. All staff receive regular training and supervision to ensure that they have the understanding, skills and knowledge to support our pupils effectively. 

About the post

This is a permanent, full-time post (term-time only), and we are seeking to appoint as soon as possible. 

The post holder will:

• Work as part of a class team, under the direction of the class teacher and trans-disciplinary colleagues, to deliver effective and appropriate teaching, learning and behaviour support in all areas of school life underpinned by an evidence-based behavioural model of practice.

• Create a positive learning environment, reflective of the school’s culture and ethos as set out in its curriculum purpose statement.

• Work with pupils both individually and in small groups supporting them to overcome barriers to learning, delivering teaching, providing positive behaviour support and delivering other focused interventions.

• Act as the key worker for one pupil, taking responsibility for coordinating their resources, monitoring their daily data, and advocating for them within team meetings

• Uphold Abbey School policies to protect and safeguard pupils and vulnerable adults in order to secure their health, safety and well-being.

For further information please download our recruitment pack below which contains details of the job description and person specification.

Why work for us?

We are a supportive learning organisation with a strong commitment to staff development and well-being. As a member of our team you will be engaged in innovation and discovery. A comprehensive training package will be provided for all staff.

Benefits:

• Paid holidays - Learning Mentors are not required to work when the school is closed over half terms, Easter, Christmas, and summer holidays - the annual salary is split between 12 months and paid monthly.
• Competitive salary
• Suite of staff benefits including pension scheme
• Technology appropriate for your job
• Comprehensive staff training programme
• Access to WeCare which is a 24/7 online GP, mental health support service, get fit programme and much more.
• Access to MediCash program for wellbeing benefits
• The opportunity to shape and improve the life chances of pupils with a disability, and in so doing, extend the prospect of an improved quality of life for family members and others

For further information please visit https://www.abbeyschool.com/learning-mentor/

How to apply

If you feel as though you have the right qualities to join our exciting, innovative and exceptional school then please download our Application Form below. Completed application forms should be returned to recruitment@abbeyschool.com with a covering letter addressed to the Principal, Dr. Katy Lee. Alternatively, application forms with covering letters can be sent by post to Abbey School, 11 Abbey Square, Chester, CH1 2HU. 

We encourage you to send an application at your earliest convenience.

There is no set end date as this is a rolling recruitment advert due to the needed expansion of our teams to support our new pupils.

Please be advised that we only accept fully completed application forms.

For additional information please see https://www.abbeyschool.com/recruitment/ and if you have any further questions please do not hesitate to contact Becky on 01244 960 000.

The School will complete an online search for all shortlisted candidates. If any incidents or issues have happened that are publicly available online, the school may wish to explore this at interview.

Abbey School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare and safety of all pupils and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Child safer recruitment procedures operate and the post is subject to references and an Enhanced DBS disclosure with barred list checks.

The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the School is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are ‘spent’ unless ‘protected’ under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, race, sex, pregnancy and maternity, marriage/civil partnerships, religion/belief, or sexual orientation.