Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students in improving their reading skills through 1:1 mentoring.
- Company: Join Jane Austen College, part of the renowned Inspiration Trust, dedicated to educational excellence.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous holidays, a pension scheme, health plans, and discounts on various services.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on students' lives while working in a supportive and inclusive environment.
- Qualifications: Good ICT, numeracy, and literacy skills; experience with children; understanding of child development.
- Other info: Full training provided; join a network of top educators committed to transforming education.
The predicted salary is between 19300 - 20600 ÂŁ per year.
Salary: Support Staff Pay Scale E: £23,356 to £24,894 pro-rata per annum (Actual) (£25,584 – £27,269 full time/full year equivalent)
Working Weeks: 41 weeks
Start Date: September/October 2025
Jane Austen College has a big mission – that every student leaves us being able to read confidently and fluently! Can you help us make this a reality?
At Inspiration Trust our mantra is that all children can achieve and succeed, no matter what their background. Children from disadvantaged backgrounds have been more adversely impacted by the pandemic and we are therefore seeking reliable, proactive and efficient Reading Mentors to join the following Academy at the Trust in order to help our most vulnerable students close the gap between their reading age and their chronological age. Full training will be provided to deliver Thinking Reading, a 1:1 intensive reading intervention within the context of a high-performing academy chain with a vision for truly inclusive schools.
The role will require you to help to develop and maintain effective and supportive relationships with the students you work with, and have a calm, clear and consistent approach to working with young people. You will need to deliver the Thinking Reading programme with a high degree of fidelity and engage in the required training in order to be able to do this successfully.
The ideal candidate will have:
– Good ICT, numeracy, and literacy skills
– Experience of working with or caring for children of relevant age
– Ability to evaluate learning needs and actively seek learning opportunities
– Ability to relate well to children and adults
– Basic understanding of child development and learning
– General understanding of National Curriculum and other basic learning programmes
Jane Austen College is a school with a unique and exciting history. Set up in 2014 as a flagship free school for the Inspiration Trust, with a specialism in English and Humanities. The college has grown from two-year groups through to a full 11-18 school of over 1000 students. The college has a history of excellent results at both GCSE and A-Level, including STEM A-Levels as part of our unique collaboration with Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form.
In May 2024, Jane Austen College and Sixth Form received an Outstanding rating from Ofsted. The report stated that the college provided “exceptional academic education, excellent pastoral support, and a character curriculum for all its students, building life skills to see them succeed in progressing to some of the top universities in the country and into prosperous careers”. Ofsted commended the school’s dedication to the care and wellbeing of its students, including the prioritising of positive mental health practices. It is true to say that its staff write a narrative of success for all our students, ensuring that they all have access to powerful knowledge and transformative extracurricular experiences regardless of background or disadvantage.
We are part of the Inspiration Trust, twice ranked as the country’s top family of comprehensive schools for pupil progress, and strongly believe in the importance of giving the widest educational opportunities to all young people, regardless of their background. We have strong networks across the Trust, with opportunities to work with a diverse range of schools and partners. We are committed to offering excellent professional and learning opportunities for our staff, with a busy programme of continuing professional development courses delivered by some of the country’s best educational thinkers and practitioners.
The Inspiration Trust is a Multi Academy Trust, committed to delivering the very best educational experience for the young people of Norfolk and Suffolk, across 17 schools. We are ambitious for our schools and communities and want to create Britain’s highest performing federation of 3-19 schools and transform education in the East. Inspiration Trust specialises in transforming schools in disadvantaged areas and taking academies from failing to outstanding.
When you join Inspiration Trust\’s thriving network of talented teachers, leaders and support staff, you join an organisation that supports you to be the best you can be. The Trust offers a varied professional development programme for employees.
We are committed to offering excellent professional opportunities for our staff, through careful support and personalised CPD. We offer a structured and specific induction programme.
The Trust also offers:
– Generous holiday entitlement
– Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with generous employer contributions
– Health Plan and Employee Assistance Programme giving access to a range of services including claim back costs for Eye Care and prescriptions and access to 24/7 virtual GP Service and mental health support (Terms and conditions and restrictions apply).
– Cycle-to-work scheme
– Retail Benefits offering discounts with many shops and suppliers
– Corporate membership of the Norwich Theatre Royal
– Salary sacrifice schemes, including home technology, smartphones and healthcare plans, including Dental insurance and Gym membership discounts (Terms and conditions and restrictions apply).
– Free Parking (on most sites)
*Some benefits are only available following successfully passing probation
To apply for this role please click the Apply button to complete the online application form.
Closing date for applications: 12pm on Tuesday 26th August 2025
Interview date: Monday 8th September 2025
Inspiration Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
All staff appointments are subject to satisfactory references and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service checks. We are an equal opportunities employer.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Reading Mentor employer: Inspiration Trust
Contact Detail:
Inspiration Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Reading Mentor
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Thinking Reading programme. Understanding its principles and methodologies will not only help you during the interview but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Engage with the school’s mission and values. Research Jane Austen College and the Inspiration Trust to articulate how your personal values align with their commitment to inclusive education and supporting disadvantaged students.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare examples from your past experiences that showcase your ability to build supportive relationships with children. Highlight any relevant work or volunteer experiences that demonstrate your skills in mentoring or tutoring.
✨Tip Number 4
Network with current or former staff members if possible. They can provide insights into the school culture and expectations, which can be invaluable during your interview preparation.
We think you need these skills to ace Reading Mentor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of a Reading Mentor. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any experience you have working with children or in educational settings. Mention specific examples that demonstrate your ability to support students' learning and development.
Showcase Your Skills: Make sure to include your ICT, numeracy, and literacy skills in your application. Provide examples of how you've used these skills effectively in previous roles or situations.
Personalise Your Application: Address your application to the hiring manager if possible, and express your enthusiasm for the mission of Jane Austen College and the Inspiration Trust. Show that you are genuinely interested in making a difference in students' lives.
How to prepare for a job interview at Inspiration Trust
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Reading Mentor. Familiarise yourself with the Thinking Reading programme and be prepared to discuss how you can effectively support students in closing the reading gap.
✨Show Your Passion for Education
Demonstrate your enthusiasm for helping children, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Share any relevant experiences that highlight your commitment to education and child development.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle various situations with students. Think about past experiences where you've successfully supported a child's learning or managed a challenging situation.
✨Highlight Your Skills
Be ready to discuss your ICT, numeracy, and literacy skills, as well as any experience working with children. Provide specific examples that showcase your ability to evaluate learning needs and relate well to both children and adults.