At a Glance
- Tasks: Mentor students and support their journey to top universities.
- Company: Join a passionate education charity dedicated to social mobility.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days annual leave, and ongoing training.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives and help combat educational inequality.
- Qualifications: Strong mentoring skills and excellent organisation abilities.
- Other info: Collaborative team environment with opportunities for career growth.
The predicted salary is between 29227 - 29227 £ per year.
Salary: £29,227.50 per annum, including London Weighting.
Closing Date: Monday 23 February 2026 at midday. We will shortlist and interview during the advertising period. Apply early as the advert may close before the closing date if a suitable candidate is found.
Reporting to: Programme Manager
Contract: Full time, Monday to Friday, 37.5 hours per week. 6-month fixed term to August 2026, with possibility of extension.
Job Location: London – currently Bishop Douglass Catholic School and Hornsey School for Girls.
Start date: ASAP
About the organisation
The Access Project is an education charity; we believe that every young person can make the most of education, unlocking their potential and creating a fairer society. Our mission is to support students from under-resourced backgrounds to access top universities, through a unique combination of tuition and in-school mentoring. We work with them to make good applications, get the grades and transition to university. The programme combats educational inequality and improves social mobility by raising students’ grades and supporting them to understand the pathway to a top university. Young people on our programme are 50% more likely to place at a top university compared to statistically similar students.
Safeguarding
The Access Project is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Our safeguarding system is underpinned by a range of policies and procedures which encourage and promote safe working practice across the organisation.
Why work at The Access Project
People who work at The Access Project are motivated by the desire to create a fairer society. We play an active part in achieving the mission to help students from disadvantaged backgrounds access top universities. We’re a friendly, collaborative, supportive and inclusive team with passionate people working together in Delivery, Sales and Partnerships, Strategy, Finance and Operations to achieve our mission. Our people strategy aims to enable and inspire all employees to achieve, grow, succeed and thrive, with regular opportunities to share ideas and strong teamwork. We value every individual and offer a wide range of benefits. In our last staff engagement survey, 90% said they’re proud to tell people they work at The Access Project.
Our values
- Empowerment: We support students and our people to develop the skills and knowledge to accomplish their goals.
- Courage: We encourage our students and our people to be authentic, innovative and ambitious in order to reach their full potential and deliver our mission.
- Impact: We evolve our programmes through an evidence-led approach, supporting our students to achieve their best outcomes.
- Inclusion: We respect and value individuality and engage diverse voices to achieve our mission.
- Ownership: We hold ourselves accountable in all our actions and efforts. We ask, “What can I do to improve my results?”
About the role
This vacancy is for a University Access Officer to work in two of our schools in Hornsey and East Finchley, London. If there is a possibility to extend beyond the fixed term, this may include a move to a different school/programme. The University Access Officer works with school staff at all levels, volunteer tutors and coaches, and with the rest of The Access Project’s team to ensure that the delivery of our programmes is optimised.
Role responsibilities
- Work directly with students, mentoring in a professional and safe manner.
- Engage with school staff, your Programme Manager, and students in school to ensure that you have fully enrolled cohorts across both programmes.
- Assess student progress towards being able to make successful Key Stage 5 and university applications.
- Upload information onto the Salesforce database in a timely manner (training is provided).
- Work with school staff to ensure their cooperation and timely completion of activities contributing to the smooth running of the programmes.
- Present at termly school meetings with Senior Management to report on our programmes progress.
- Support the wider team by attending university site visits which take place on occasional Saturdays and weekday evenings (paid time off is provided).
- Any other responsibilities reasonably deemed necessary by The Access Project’s Programme Managers or Director.
Schools with tuition and coaching in their model
- All the above responsibilities, with the addition of:
- Match students with volunteer tutors.
- Monitor student attendance to tutorials and/or coaching sessions and devise innovative solutions to encourage attendance.
- Manage volunteer tutor attendance to tutorials through weekly monitoring systems.
- Monitor the impact of tutorials and intervene as appropriate.
- Build and manage relationships with volunteer tutors to ensure they have a positive experience of the programme.
- Manage students’ relationships with volunteer tutors through monitoring of systems, emailing and making phone calls.
- Work with the volunteering team to co-ordinate the effective delivery of our coaching programme.
Person specification
- Demonstrable skills in mentoring groups of people and 1:1.
- Excellent organisation and time management skills, with the ability to deliver multiple programmes and projects at pace and manage administration accurately.
- Able to communicate and influence with impact at all levels.
- Resilient and adaptable.
- Able to work towards and meet deadlines with a problem-solving mindset.
- Able to effectively time manage and actively prioritise.
- Able to work independently with an ownership mindset.
- Skilled in building and maintaining excellent relationships.
- Able to manage upwards and advocate for own needs.
- Able to lead and manage change.
- Good sense of attention to detail.
- Can demonstrate an ability to take action to keep young people safe and raise concerns.
Training and Development
You will be provided with regular monthly training to develop your skills and succeed in the role. There is support from your line manager (Programme Manager), as well as guidance from more senior University Access Officers and the wider University Access Officer team across The Access Project. There are opportunities for progression, including several additional responsibility roles which are available for University Access Officers to apply for once they have completed their probationary period successfully.
Benefits
25 days annual leave p.a. (pro rata) plus
University Access Officer in Barnet employer: THE ACCESS PROJECT
Contact Detail:
THE ACCESS PROJECT Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land University Access Officer in Barnet
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees of The Access Project on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for your interview. It’s all about making connections!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the organisation's mission and values. Think about how your own experiences align with their goals of empowering students and promoting inclusion. Show them you’re passionate about their cause!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, but keep it natural. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, especially when discussing your mentoring experience or problem-solving skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace University Access Officer in Barnet
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific skills and experiences that align with the University Access Officer role. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission of supporting students from under-resourced backgrounds.
Show Your Passion: Let your enthusiasm for education and social mobility shine through in your written application. We’re looking for candidates who are genuinely motivated to make a difference in the lives of young people.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon, so we can easily understand your qualifications and experiences. Remember, clarity is key!
Apply Early!: Don’t wait until the last minute to submit your application. We encourage you to apply through our website as soon as possible, as we may close the advert early if we find a suitable candidate. Get your application in and stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at THE ACCESS PROJECT
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand The Access Project's mission and values. Familiarise yourself with their approach to educational inequality and how they support students from disadvantaged backgrounds. This will help you demonstrate your alignment with their goals during the conversation.
✨Showcase Your Mentoring Skills
As a University Access Officer, mentoring is key. Prepare examples of your past experiences where you've successfully mentored or supported individuals or groups. Highlight your ability to communicate effectively and build relationships, as these are crucial for the role.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Organisation and Time Management
The role requires excellent organisation and time management skills. Think of specific instances where you've managed multiple projects or deadlines. Be prepared to discuss how you prioritise tasks and ensure everything runs smoothly, especially in a school environment.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few insightful questions ready. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the organisation. You might ask about the team dynamics, opportunities for professional development, or how success is measured in the position. It’s a great way to engage with the interviewers and leave a lasting impression.