Reading Intervention Mentor – Millside School

Term Time Only

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of young people?

Do you have the energy, empathy, and skills to support pupils with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) and additional needs?

Do you have a passion to help empower pupils to thrive through learning, mentoring, and positive engagement enabling them to reach their full potential?

If so, you could be the person for us!

A fantastic opportunity has arisen to join the SEND Team at Haybrook College Trust and make a real difference in the lives of some of Slough’s most vulnerable young people. We are seeking a committed and enthusiastic Reading Intervention Mentor to join us as soon as possible, or by September 2026 at the latest.

Haybrook College Trust is an Alternative Provision (AP) academy supporting pupils across Slough, the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, and surrounding areas who have been excluded or are at risk of exclusion from mainstream education. We also run a small special school for pupils with a range of social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs.

Our Ofsted report from January 2025 recognised that we “rapidly build positive and trusting relationships with pupils. This means that pupils’ needs are quickly known by staff and well met. As such, most pupils achieve very well.”

Working within an AP or specialist setting is highly rewarding, varied and deeply purposeful. Delivering structured 1:1 reading interventions allows you to develop strong relationships with pupils while helping them build confidence, independence and essential literacy skills.

About the Role

This Reading Intervention Mentor role sits within the College’s SEND Team and will be based at Millside Special School, working with pupils who have Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). You will deliver high‑quality, evidence‑based reading and literacy interventions on a 1:1 basis as part of their statutory provision.

You will deliver structured interventions using the Rapid Plus reading programme, alongside other evidence‑based approaches and reading programmes that may be appropriate for individual pupils. These may include:

• Rapid Plus (for struggling readers)

• Reading fluency and comprehension strategies

• Vocabulary development and reading confidence building

Pupils accessing these interventions may have significant gaps in their reading skills, SEMH needs, or specific learning difficulties affecting literacy. This is a highly impactful role, offering the chance to support meaningful academic progress, improve reading confidence and contribute to positive long‑term outcomes.

Full training in Rapid Plus and other interventions will be provided where needed, although experience in delivering reading or literacy support would be highly advantageous.

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for someone who is:

• Passionate about improving literacy and committed to closing attainment gaps.

• Skilled at delivering structured, 1:1 interventions or willing to be trained.

• Patient, nurturing and able to build positive relationships with pupils who may lack confidence.

• Knowledgeable about (or keen to learn about) phonics, reading development and barriers to reading.

• Resilient, flexible and able to adapt approaches to meet individual needs.

• A strong communicator who can liaise effectively with teachers, the SEND Team, parents and external professionals.

• A collaborative team player with an interest in SEMH and SEND.

Experience working in a mainstream, special school or alternative provision setting would be desirable, though not essential if you can demonstrate the right values and commitment.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver 1:1 evidence‑based reading interventions as identified in pupils’ EHCPs.

• Assess pupils’ reading needs and track progress over time.

• Adapt resources and approaches to ensure accessibility and engagement.

• Work closely with the SEND Team, class teachers and the Head of Centre.

• Promote a positive reading culture, confidence and enjoyment of reading.

• Follow all policies relating to safeguarding, SEND and behaviour.

Closing date 9am, Friday 20 March 2026.

Haybrook College is committed to safeguarding the welfare of all of its students and staff.  Applicants will be required to undertake a DBS enhanced disclosure. Haybrook College strives to be an equal opportunities employer and recruits from all sections of the community solely on basis of ability to fulfil the job requirements.