Job Description
Job Title: Senior Student Support Coach
Location: 14-16 Learning Academy, Nuneaton and Wigston
Salary: Point 21 – 24
Contract Type: Term time only – 37 hours x 42 weeks per year
About Us
Do you believe in advocating for young people, particularly those who have faced challenges in their educational journey? At 14-16 Learning Academy, we’re looking for a passionate and dynamic Student Support Coach to join our team and inspire young people who may have lost their love for learning. Our Alternative Provision students need someone who can reignite their passion for education and show them that learning can be engaging and meaningful. If you have experience working with students with SEND, those who present challenging behaviour, or learners who are at risk of disengaging from education, we would love to hear from you. Many of our learners have not had positive experiences within education and we need someone who can help change that! We offer small class sizes – up to 10 in alternative provision – which allows for a more tailored and supportive teaching environment. Our approach is different from mainstream schools and includes a unique FE academic calendar that promotes a better work‑life balance for staff.
The Role
As a Senior Student Support Coach you will support our learners in their academic and personal development. You will lead on our personal development programmes, create portfolios for young people to evidence their progress and coach them through our changing track programme. You’ll support an inclusive, supportive environment for students who have experienced disruptions, particularly those with SEND, challenging behaviour, or who are disengaged from school. You will also support young people to transition to their next destination, moving back to mainstream school or onto further education. This role will primarily be based in our alternative provisions, working 1:1 and in small groups, while also contributing to the wider academy.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver employability and independent living skills to Key Stage 4 students (Year 10-11), focusing on essential life and work skills.
- Deliver 1:1 and small group youth work led activities responsive to the needs of the students.
- Work with students who may be disengaged from education, SEND students, and those with challenging behaviour, using strategies to re‑engage them and support their learning and well‑being.
- Support restorative practice and conflict resolution.
- Build and maintain positive relationships with commissioners, students and parents.
- Assess student progress and provide regular, constructive feedback to encourage student growth and achievement.
- Plan and manage student trips, visits and external activities to support learning outside of the classroom.
- Engage with students in a manner that promotes positive relationships, builds self‑confidence and creates a sense of belonging.
What We’re Looking For
- A Senior Student Support Coach with experience of working with children or young people in formal educational settings such as mainstream, alternative or specialist settings, and informal settings such as youth and community settings.
- A passion for working with young people who face educational barriers or need extra support (e.g. SEND, challenging behaviour).
- Strong understanding of how to create an engaging and inclusive learning environment for students with diverse and complex learning needs.
- The ability to work flexibly and collaboratively, contributing to a team that values innovative approaches to education.
Why Join Us?
- Competitive pay ranging from £24,983 to £27,289.
- The opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of young people, helping them re‑engage with education and achieve their potential.
- Small class sizes that allow for a more personalised and student‑centred approach.
- A chance to be part of a supportive, dynamic team with a focus on continuous professional development and career progression.
- A competitive salary and benefits, including access to the Local Government Pension Scheme and family‑friendly policies.
How To Apply
If this role excites you, please complete the online application form. To have an informal chat about the position, please contact Tamara Cleaver, Head of the 14-16 Learning Academy, at Tamara.Cleaver@nwslc.ac.uk.
As part of the application process, you’ll be asked to complete a series of shortlisting questions. To strengthen your application, we recommend linking your answers directly to the person specification outlined in this job description.
Shortlisting Process
Each question is scored by at least two people on the interview panel. Candidates with the highest overall score who meet the essential criteria for the role will progress to the interview stage, and their application form will be considered thereafter.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to providing reasonable adjustments for candidates with specific needs or a disability during our recruitment process. All applicants will be considered fairly and equally. We do not tolerate discrimination of any kind.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. The chosen candidate will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.
Apply as soon as possible – we reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a suitable number of applications.
