Student Support Mentor

How would you like to get paid for five days, but only work four?

At Outcomes First Group, we believe in better work/life balance - and we're putting wellbeing first.

That's why we're proud to be part of a 4-Day Working Week (4DWW) trial, where you can work one day less each week (or equivalent hours), while still receiving your full-time pay.

Many of our schools have already introduced the 4DWW - and others are preparing to roll it out as soon as they reach full staffing. So whether it's already in place or just around the corner, now's the perfect time to join .

Job Title: Student Support Mentor

Location: The Grange Therapeutic School, Knossington, Oakham LE15 8LY

Salary: £20,906.25 per annum (not pro rata)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week Monday-Thursday 8.30am - 4.30pm Friday 8.30am - 4.00pm

Contract: Permanent, Term Time Only

Start Date: November 2025

UK applicants only. This role does not offer sponsorship.

Are you someone who believes that every young person deserves the chance to thrive, no matter their starting point? Do you have the empathy, resilience, and motivation to help students overcome challenges and reach their full potential?

At The Grange Therapeutic School, part of Acorn Education, we're on the lookout for a dedicated Student Support Mentor to join our passionate team. This is your opportunity to make a real impact - every single day.

About the Role

As a Student Support Mentor, you'll play a vital role in shaping young lives both inside and outside the classroom. You'll work alongside our teachers, therapists, and pastoral staff to create a positive, nurturing environment where pupils feel safe, valued, and inspired to learn.

From supporting classroom learning to leading outdoor sessions, enrichment activities, and 1:1 interventions - no two days will be the same. You'll help students grow in confidence, develop independence, and discover what they're truly capable of.

What you'll be doing:

• Support pupils' learning and engagement across a range of subjects and activities
• Deliver targeted 1:1 or small group sessions to meet individual needs
• Encourage positive behaviour and emotional regulation through empathy and consistency
• Take part in outdoor learning, trips, and hands-on activities that build life skills
• Work closely with staff to create a safe, supportive, and inclusive school environment
• Help students develop social, emotional, and personal confidence every step of the waySupporting pupils' learning and development across a variety of subjects and activities
• Providing 1:1 and small group interventions tailored to individual needs
• Leading or assisting with outdoor learning experiences, trips, and enrichment activities
• Helping maintain a safe, positive, and inclusive environment
• Collaborating with teachers, therapists, and pastoral staff to meet pupils' holistic needs
• Responding to emotional and behavioural challenges with empathy, consistency, and professionalism
• Supporting pupils' personal, social, and emotional development

What we're looking for:

• GCSE Grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) in English and Maths
• Experience working with children or young people in education, care, or youth work
• A calm, compassionate, and resilient nature - with a genuine desire to make a difference
• Adaptability, teamwork, and a proactive approach to supporting individual needs
• Someone who leads by example and inspires others through positivity and commitment

About Us

The Grange Therapeutic School is an independent school for students aged 8 -18 years with social, emotional and mental health difficulties. Our school is based in a Victorian country house near Oakham with stunning views and fantastic facilities to develop not only the educational, but also the social and emotional needs of our pupils. With access to woods and lakes on site, the school has an ethos about delivering a personalised curriculum tailored to, and driven by, the individuals. Behaviour is currently rated as "Outstanding" by Ofsted.

We need hardworking, pupil centred staff who are resilient and willing to go the extra mile. In return we offer significant investment in your professional development, a supportive staff group and opportunities for progression.

Acorn Education is the UK's leading independent provider of specialist education. As part of Outcomes First Group, we are leading our sector in setting and delivering new approaches that provide measurable outcomes for those in our care.

We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a 'Great Place to Work' for the fifth year running.

Why join Acorn Education?

We place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable young adults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you'll wake every day in the knowledge that your role will have a significant positive impact on the lives of others.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.

Benefits

Your health and wellbeing are important to us, so you'll get an exceptional reward package including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
• "Your Wellbeing Matters" - access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks

And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that's right for you, including:

• A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100's of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover
• Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

You'll work 80% of your contractual hours for 100% of your pay, giving you more time to do the things that make you happy. 4DWW is subject to successful completion of probation and is not a contractual benefit

Outcomes First Group is committed to carrying out a fair, thorough and efficient recruitment process in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education. Whilst we aim to keep applicants informed throughout, Outcomes First Group does not accept liability for any loss of earnings or other associated costs incurred by applicants as a result of delays or changes in the compliance process. All stages of the compliance process are subject to necessary safeguarding checks and compliance with statutory requirements, which may affect timescales.