At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students in personal and academic growth, helping them become independent learners.
- Company: Join East Kent Colleges Group, an Ofsted Outstanding rated provider focused on student success.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, holiday pay, online discounts, and generous pension contributions.
- Other info: Flexible working days and opportunities for community involvement and personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives while gaining valuable qualifications and experience.
- Qualifications: Excellent communication skills and empathy are essential; experience with mental health support is a plus.
The predicted salary is between 9805 - 9805 £ per year.
About The Role
Support. Inspire. Empower. Become a Student Progression Mentor and help shape brighter futures.
As a Student Progression Mentor at EKC Dover College Bench Street Arts Campus, you’ll be at the heart of student support, guiding learners through challenges and helping them grow into confident, independent individuals.
In this rewarding role, you will:
- Provide one-to-one mentoring to support students’ personal and academic development
- Work closely with disaffected or disengaged young people to re-engage them in their learning
- Help students overcome barriers, build resilience, and realise their full potential
Why join EKC Group?
- Make a lasting difference in students’ lives
- Gain valuable qualifications including:
- Mental Health First Aid
- Autism Awareness
- Counselling Concepts
- Safeguarding & DUST Referrals
- Join a supportive team passionate about student wellbeing and success
Step into a role where every day is an opportunity to empower the next generation.
Hours per week: 37
Weeks per year: 37
Salary per year: £21,671 (inc holiday pay)
Alongside our priority of excellent student experience, we also focus on our employees. Here are just some of our benefits when working for the East Kent Colleges Group:
- Generous holiday aligned to our academic calendar
- Learning and Development Opportunities - 3-4 annual paid group development days, bespoke programmes e.g. Next Steps Mentoring Programme and strong internal progression - 1 in 3 roles are filled internally
- Exclusive Discounts & Perks - Inc. restaurant, grocery, retail and holidays discounts as well as car leasing and tech purchasing schemes
- Flexible Personal Leave - Time off for your child\'s first day at nursery or school, moving homes and for interviews
- Wellbeing and Health Support - Generous sick pay, counselling services, discounted gym membership at Canterbury College
- Culture and Recognition - Being part of Community Days, an annual Staff Celebration Day, and an eco-friendly organisation dedicated to reaching net-zero by 2030
- Competitive Pension Scheme - 18% employer contribution
About You
We are seeking to appoint a proactive and motivated Student Progression Mentor to join our dedicated team at EKC Dover College Bench Street Arts Campus
In this vital student-facing role, you’ll help ensure learners are supported throughout their time at college, enabling them to thrive academically and personally.
- Be an excellent communicator, able to build strong relationships with students, staff, parents, and external agencies
- Be empathetic, supportive and non-judgmental, with a genuine commitment to student wellbeing
- Remain calm under pressure and respond effectively to the changing demands of a busy college environment
- Have experience supporting young people, particularly those with mental health difficulties (desirable)
- Demonstrate a flexible, positive and solution-focused approach
You will also be responsible for:
- Maintaining accurate records and reporting concerns to relevant departments
- Supporting students to engage, achieve and progress
- Using Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) confidently and effectively
If you’re passionate about making a difference and feel this role aligns with your skills and experience, we’d love to hear from you.
No need to spend time updating your CV – just click Apply and complete our short application form. You can save your progress as you go, and we’ll review all applications after the closing date.
For an informal chat or if you have any questions, please email us at jobs@ekcgroup.ac.uk.
About Us
Outstanding Ofsted Provider
East Kent Colleges Group is an Ofsted Outstanding rated provider. It is proud to be the first General Further Education college organisation in the country to have received the Outstanding grade against each of the strands under the new Ofsted inspection framework. An inclusive provider, our colleagues place our students and the communities we serve at the heart of everything they do across EKC Group and this is illustrated in our ‘Strong’ skills grading by Ofsted.
Commitment to Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and we ensure that all staff are aware of their responsibilities for upholding these principles.
As a designated establishment, we are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore have an obligation to carry out checks to ensure that staff are suitable to work with children and vulnerable adults. These checks include conviction/caution self-declaration, Enhanced DBS check and obtaining sufficient referencing.
If you are successful in being shortlisted to interview, your suitability to work with children and vulnerable adults will be explored as part of the interview process.
Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
East Kent CollegesGroup is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all members of our communities. We are particularly keen to increase the diversity of our staff body and encourage applications from candidates where there is underrepresentation in our workforce.
We are proud to hold the Positive About Disability Award and are a Disability Confident Employer. This confirms our commitment to interviewing all applicants who declare that they have a disability and who meet the essential criteria outlined in the person specification. With any successful candidate, we will explore any reasonable adjustments to a role due to a health needs or disability.
Similarly, we have a commitment to Care Leavers (Care Covenant Pledge) and to current or previous Armed Forces personnel (Armed Forces Covenant Pledge) with a commitment to interview applicants who meet the positions essential criteria and who have declared this on their application.
We welcome applications from anyone wishing to work flexibly and those considering a return to work from a career break.
We do not engage with agencies for permanent staff and have an in-house recruitment team.
Student Progression Mentor in Dover employer: Ashford College
At East Kent Colleges Group, we pride ourselves on being an outstanding employer that prioritises both student success and employee well-being. As a Student Progression Mentor, you will benefit from a supportive work culture that values professional development through qualifications in mental health and counselling, alongside generous benefits such as a competitive salary, pension contributions, and unique initiatives like 'My 10 Days' for voluntary work. Join us in our commitment to eco-sustainability and making a positive impact in the community while enjoying a flexible working environment in the heart of Dover.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Student Progression Mentor in Dover
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by students, especially those who are disaffected or disengaged. Understanding their needs will help you demonstrate your empathy and ability to support them effectively during the interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any relevant experience you have in mentoring or supporting young people, particularly in areas related to mental health. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've made a positive impact in similar roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Research East Kent Colleges Group and their commitment to safeguarding and inclusion. Being knowledgeable about their values and initiatives will show your genuine interest in the role and alignment with their mission.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare questions that reflect your understanding of the role and the organisation. Asking insightful questions during the interview can demonstrate your enthusiasm and proactive approach to supporting students' progression.
We think you need these skills to ace Student Progression Mentor in Dover
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role:Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of a Student Progression Mentor. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with these expectations.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Emphasise any previous experience you have in mentoring, supporting young people, or working in educational settings. Mention specific instances where you've helped students overcome challenges or achieve their goals.
Showcase Communication Skills:Since excellent communication is crucial for this role, provide examples of how you've effectively communicated with students, parents, or colleagues. This could include situations where you resolved conflicts or facilitated discussions.
Express Your Commitment:Convey your passion for supporting students and your commitment to their personal and academic development. Share your understanding of the challenges faced by disaffected or disengaged young people and how you can help them succeed.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ashford College
✨Show Your Empathy
As a Student Progression Mentor, you'll be working with students who may be disaffected or disengaged. During the interview, share examples of how you've supported individuals in similar situations, demonstrating your empathetic and non-judgmental approach.
✨Highlight Communication Skills
Excellent communication is key in this role. Be prepared to discuss how you've effectively communicated with students, parents, and colleagues in the past. Use specific examples to illustrate your ability to connect with diverse groups.
✨Demonstrate Record Keeping Competence
The role requires strong record-keeping skills. Bring up your experience with documentation and reporting, especially using Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Mention any systems you've used to keep track of student progress and interactions.
✨Be Flexible and Adaptable
The tasks can change daily, so it's important to show that you're adaptable. Share instances where you've successfully adjusted to new challenges or changes in your work environment, highlighting your proactive attitude.
