Sixth Form Academic Mentor in Dartford

Dear Candidate,

Thank you for your interest in the post of Sixth Form Academic Mentor. We are a Trust of nine schools, all based in South East London. Whilst each of our schools maintains its individuality, we share a common mission: to ensure that every single child and young person in our care is successful at school so that they can flourish and be successful in their lives. We are committed to ensuring this success from 3 to Forever, under our mantra of ‘once a Haberdasher, always a Haberdasher’. Our People Strategy is key to our success and integral to this is our commitment to equity, equality, diversity, and inclusion. Bringing this to life is the responsibility of every member of staff. We take seriously any behaviour which undermines it. Anyone applying to work with us should share this commitment.

About the Role

We are seeking a candidate who will have the sixth form community at the centre of their focus. You will be responsible for managing the Sixth Form Study Area, ensuring an appropriate working ethos is maintained, and establishing a culture of effective study at KS5. Your main area of responsibility will be to lead, manage and develop the KS5 Learning Hub. You will address the needs of students in Key Stage 5 who need help to overcome barriers to learning both inside and outside the classroom, in order to achieve their full potential. You will work with a range of students, especially those at risk of underachievement; supporting them to achieve within the curriculum and providing additional support outside of the classroom.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the sixth form study area and supervise study conditions during lesson times, ensuring a calm and productive atmosphere and ethos for study.
• Ensure policies are followed, maintaining an environment that supports effective study habits.
• Maintain the register and track compulsory “study students” referred in by staff, and track and assess students’ academic performance, providing regular feedback and progress reports to students, parents and staff.
• Register and review attendance at the timetabled supervised study sessions and communicate with parents regarding concerns.
• Log all communications in the school MIS (Arbor).
• Provide study skills support for students – personalised 1‑1 or group mentoring sessions.
• Identify students who are at risk of under‑achievement, poor attendance, low engagement or low self‑esteem and develop targeted intervention plans.
• Help students develop effective study techniques and time‑management skills; draw up action plans with short and long‑term targets.
• Work closely with teachers, staff and external partners to provide comprehensive support and integrate academic support with classroom learning.
• Maintain KS5 resources and develop and manage the KS5 learning hub.
• Support timetabling changes, create appropriate form groups specific to tutor specialisms and track weekly attendance.
• Assist the Careers Manager and Head of Sixth Form where required, e.g. the UCAS process.
• Promote equal opportunities, the ethos of the Trust, and the school’s commitment to staff development, health and safety, safeguarding and welfare of children.
• Report any safeguarding concerns in accordance with Trust’s Safeguarding Policy and undertake any duties as reasonably required by the Executive Principal or Leadership Team.

Reporting & Staff Development

This role will report into an Assistant Principal. As a new employee within the Trust you will be supported by the Senior Directors of people and professional learning, alongside your line manager to realise your full potential. We are proud to be a London living wage employer.

Working Hours and Schedule

8.00am – 4.00pm, Monday to Friday (35 hours per week, term time plus inset plus five days). You must be available to work three of these days during August to support A Level results day, GCSE results day and 6th Form enrolment.

Salary and Benefits

Trust Support Staff Scale, Band 5, £27,367 to £29,194 (FTE £32,342–34,501). Benefits include Pension Scheme, Professional Learning, Employee Assistance Programme, Headspace access, Staff Development opportunities, Ride to Work and Cycle to Work schemes and Seasonal Ticket Loans.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

• Degree or other comparable qualification.
• GCSE English and Maths, Grade C or above.
• Experience of working with young people (paid or voluntary).
• Experience working as a learning mentor/tutor or equivalent.
• Experience of working as part of a team.
• Ability to use IT effectively to support record keeping and correspondence.
• Ability to be tenacious and flexible, trying different approaches with students whose needs may vary.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to adapt for different audiences.
• Ability to present detailed written reports in a clear professional style.
• Effective behaviour management skills and experience of restorative approaches.
• Ability to build effective relationships with students and to motivate disaffected learners.
• Good knowledge of the roles of outside agencies available to support the school.
• Ability to collate, analyse and present a variety of data.
• Working knowledge of Level 1, 2 and 3 courses available at KS5.
• Ability to plan, organise and prioritise.
• Ability to initiate and manage change.
• Evidence of good interpersonal skills.
• Ability to think creatively and solve problems.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working with Post‑16 students.
• Experience working in a Multi‑Academy setting.
• Interest in working in a Multi‑Academy setting.
• Clear commitment and understanding of the Trust ethos, vision and values.
• Will have a desire to make a difference to young people’s lives.
• Belief in equality and opportunity for all.
• Ability to articulate a clear vision in an engaging way.
• Determination and resilience.
• High level of interpersonal and communication skills.
• Commitment to collaborative working.
• High expectations of achievement, conduct and behaviour.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
• Passionate about subject area.

Recruitment Process

Closing date: 2 January 2026, 12pm. Interview date: Applicants will be invited to interview before the closing date, in the order they are received. Start date: January/February 2026. The application will be assessed against the person specification. A suitable candidate will receive an invitation to a written/practical task, a presentation and an in‑person interview.

Special Requirements: If you require reasonable adjustments prior to your interview, please email crayfordhr@habstrustsouth.org.uk.

Equality and Diversity

We are committed to eradicating discrimination in the workplace, becoming an employer of choice for all staff. References will be obtained from your referees if you are successful at interview. Please ensure the reference section of the application form is accurate and completed in full.

Right to work

Provide original and up‑to‑date evidence of your right to work in the UK as required.

Data Protection

All data about you will be held securely and processed only by the selection team.

Criminal Convictions

All education establishments in the UK are exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Applicants must disclose all convictions on their application and the Disclosure and Barring Service form.

For a confidential discussion about this post or to arrange a visit to our school, please contact Lauren Findlay at l.findlay@habstrustsouth.org.uk.

Contact Information

Haberdashers’ Crayford Academy Iron Mill Lane, Crayford, DA1 4RS Email: l.findlay@habstrustsouth.org.uk Website: www.habscrayford.org.uk